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Bian Y, Hahn H, Uhmann A. The hidden hedgehog of the pituitary: hedgehog signaling in development, adulthood and disease of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1219018. [PMID: 37476499 PMCID: PMC10355329 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1219018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog signaling plays pivotal roles in embryonic development, adult homeostasis and tumorigenesis. However, its engagement in the pituitary gland has been long underestimated although Hedgehog signaling and pituitary embryogenic development are closely linked. Thus, deregulation of this signaling pathway during pituitary development results in malformation of the gland. Research of the last years further implicates a regulatory role of Hedgehog signaling in the function of the adult pituitary, because its activity is also interlinked with homeostasis, hormone production, and most likely also formation of neoplasms of the gland. The fact that this pathway can be efficiently targeted by validated therapeutic strategies makes it a promising candidate for treating pituitary diseases. We here summarize the current knowledge about the importance of Hedgehog signaling during pituitary development and review recent data that highlight the impact of Hedgehog signaling in the healthy and the diseased adult pituitary gland.
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Zmysłowska-Polakowska E, Płoszaj T, Skoczylas S, Mojsak P, Ciborowski M, Kretowski A, Lukomska-Szymanska M, Szadkowska A, Mlynarski W, Zmysłowska A. Evaluation of the Oral Bacterial Genome and Metabolites in Patients with Wolfram Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065596. [PMID: 36982670 PMCID: PMC10053501 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In Wolfram syndrome (WFS), due to the loss of wolframin function, there is increased ER stress and, as a result, progressive neurodegenerative disorders, accompanied by insulin-dependent diabetes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral microbiome and metabolome in WFS patients compared with patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and controls. The buccal and gingival samples were collected from 12 WFS patients, 29 HbA1c-matched T1DM patients (p = 0.23), and 17 healthy individuals matched by age (p = 0.09) and gender (p = 0.91). The abundance of oral microbiota components was obtained by Illumina sequencing the 16S rRNA gene, and metabolite levels were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Streptococcus (22.2%), Veillonella (12.1%), and Haemophilus (10.8%) were the most common bacteria in the WFS patients, while comparisons between groups showed significantly higher abundance of Olsenella, Dialister, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, and Actinomyces in the WFS group (p < 0.001). An ROC curve (AUC = 0.861) was constructed for the three metabolites that best discriminated WFS from T1DM and controls (acetic acid, benzoic acid, and lactic acid). Selected oral microorganisms and metabolites that distinguish WFS patients from T1DM patients and healthy individuals may suggest their possible role in modulating neurodegeneration and serve as potential biomarkers and indicators of future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - T. Płoszaj
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - S. Skoczylas
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - P. Mojsak
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | - M. Ciborowski
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | - A. Kretowski
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - A. Szadkowska
- Department of Pediatrics, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - W. Mlynarski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
| | - A. Zmysłowska
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 92-213 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +48-42-272-57-67
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Velde HM, Huizenga XJJ, Yntema HG, Haer-Wigman L, Beynon AJ, Oostrik J, Pegge SAH, Kremer H, Lanting CP, Pennings RJE. Genotype and Phenotype Analyses of a Novel WFS1 Variant (c.2512C>T p.(Pro838Ser)) Associated with DFNA6/14/38. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:457. [PMID: 36833385 PMCID: PMC9957259 DOI: 10.3390/genes14020457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to contribute to a better description of the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of DFNA6/14/38 and aid in counseling future patients identified with this variant. Therefore, we describe the genotype and phenotype in a large Dutch-German family (W21-1472) with autosomal dominant non-syndromic, low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (LFSNHL). Exome sequencing and targeted analysis of a hearing impairment gene panel were used to genetically screen the proband. Co-segregation of the identified variant with hearing loss was assessed by Sanger sequencing. The phenotypic evaluation consisted of anamnesis, clinical questionnaires, physical examination and examination of audiovestibular function. A novel likely pathogenic WFS1 variant (NM_006005.3:c.2512C>T p.(Pro838Ser)) was identified in the proband and found to co-segregate with LFSNHL, characteristic of DFNA6/14/38, in this family. The self-reported age of onset of hearing loss (HL) ranged from congenital to 50 years of age. In the young subjects, HL was demonstrated in early childhood. At all ages, an LFSNHL (0.25-2 kHz) of about 50-60 decibel hearing level (dB HL) was observed. HL in the higher frequencies showed inter-individual variability. The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) was completed by eight affected subjects and indicated a moderate handicap in two of them (aged 77 and 70). Vestibular examinations (n = 4) showed abnormalities, particularly in otolith function. In conclusion, we identified a novel WFS1 variant that co-segregates with DFNA6/14/38 in this family. We found indications of mild vestibular dysfunction, although it is uncertain whether this is related to the identified WFS1 variant or is an incidental finding. We would like to emphasize that conventional neonatal hearing screening programs are not sensitive to HL in DFNA6/14/38 patients, because high-frequency hearing thresholds are initially preserved. Therefore, we suggest screening newborns in DFNA6/14/38 families with more frequency-specific methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedwig M. Velde
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Xanne J. J. Huizenga
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Helger G. Yntema
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- The Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke Haer-Wigman
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- The Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Andy J. Beynon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Oostrik
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoert A. H. Pegge
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hannie Kremer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cris P. Lanting
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald J. E. Pennings
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboudumc, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Smyczynska U, Stanczak M, Kuljanin M, Włodarczyk A, Stoczynska-Fidelus E, Taha J, Pawlik B, Borowiec M, Mancias JD, Mlynarski W, Rieske P, Fendler W, Zmysłowska A. Proteomic and Transcriptomic Landscapes of Alström and Bardet-Biedl Syndromes. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13122370. [PMID: 36553637 PMCID: PMC9777683 DOI: 10.3390/genes13122370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alström syndrome (ALMS) and Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) are rare genetic diseases with a number of common clinical features ranging from early-childhood obesity and retinal degeneration. ALMS and BBS belong to the ciliopathies, which are known to have the expression products of genes, encoding them as cilia-localized proteins in multiple target organs. The aim of this study was to perform transcriptomic and proteomic analysis on cellular models of ALMS and BBS syndromes to identify common and distinct pathological mechanisms present in both syndromes. For this purpose, epithelial cells were isolated from the urine of patients and healthy subjects, which were then cultured and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The pathways of genes associated with the metabolism of lipids and glycosaminoglycan and the transport of small molecules were found to be concomitantly downregulated in both diseases, while transcripts related to signal transduction, the immune system, cell cycle control and DNA replication and repair were upregulated. Furthermore, protein pathways associated with autophagy, apoptosis, cilium assembly and Gli1 protein were upregulated in both ciliopathies. These results provide new insights into the common and divergent pathogenic pathways between two similar genetic syndromes, particularly in relation to primary cilium function and abnormalities in cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Smyczynska
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Stanczak
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
| | - Miljan Kuljanin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Aneta Włodarczyk
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Joanna Taha
- Central Laboratory for Genetic Research in Pediatric Oncology “Oncolab”, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Pawlik
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
- Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Borowiec
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Joseph D. Mancias
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wojciech Mlynarski
- Department of Pediatrics, Oncology and Hematology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-752 Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Fendler
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 92-215 Lodz, Poland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Agnieszka Zmysłowska
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-272-57-67
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Wolfram Syndrome 1: From Genetics to Therapy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063225. [PMID: 35328914 PMCID: PMC8949990 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Wolfram syndrome 1 (WS1) is a rare neurodegenerative disease transmitted in an autosomal recessive mode. It is characterized by diabetes insipidus (DI), diabetes mellitus (DM), optic atrophy (OA), and sensorineural hearing loss (D) (DIDMOAD). The clinical picture may be complicated by other symptoms, such as urinary tract, endocrinological, psychiatric, and neurological abnormalities. WS1 is caused by mutations in the WFS1 gene located on chromosome 4p16 that encodes a transmembrane protein named wolframin. Many studies have shown that wolframin regulates some mechanisms of ER calcium homeostasis and therefore plays a role in cellular apoptosis. More than 200 mutations are responsible for WS1. However, abnormal phenotypes of WS with or without DM, inherited in an autosomal dominant mode and associated with one or more WFS1 mutations, have been found. Furthermore, recessive Wolfram-like disease without DM has been described. The prognosis of WS1 is poor, and the death occurs prematurely. Although there are no therapies that can slow or stop WS1, a careful clinical monitoring can help patients during the rapid progression of the disease, thus improving their quality of life. In this review, we describe natural history and etiology of WS1 and suggest criteria for a most pertinent approach to the diagnosis and clinical follow up. We also describe the hallmarks of new therapies for WS1.
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