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Vacca F, Yalcin B, Ansar M. Exploring the pathological mechanisms underlying Cohen syndrome. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1431400. [PMID: 39010945 PMCID: PMC11247020 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1431400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Cohen Syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by biallelic mutations in the VPS13B gene. It is characterized by multiple clinical features, including acquired microcephaly, developmental delay, intellectual disability, neutropenia, and retinal degeneration. VPS13B is part of the bridge-like lipid transport (BLTP) protein family, which in mammals also includes VPS13A, -C, and -D. The proteins of this family are peripheral membrane proteins with different sub-cellular localization, but all share similar structural features and have been proposed to act as lipid transport proteins at organellar membrane contact sites. VPS13B is localized at the Golgi apparatus and is essential for the maintenance of organelle architecture. Here we present a review of the experimental data on the function of the protein at the cellular level, discussing the potential link with disease phenotype and review the studies on animal models recapitulating features of the human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Vacca
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile Des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Binnaz Yalcin
- Inserm UMR1231, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Muhammad Ansar
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Fondation Asile Des Aveugles, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Advanced Molecular Genetics and Genomics Disease Research and Treatment Centre, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
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Shnaider TA, Khabarova AA, Morozova KN, Yunusova AM, Yakovleva SA, Chvileva AS, Wolf ER, Kiseleva EV, Grigor'eva EV, Voinova VY, Lagarkova MA, Pomerantseva EA, Musatova EV, Smirnov AV, Smirnova AV, Stoklitskaya DS, Arefieva TI, Larina DA, Nikitina TV, Pristyazhnyuk IE. Ultrastructural Abnormalities in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Stem Cells and Neurons of Two Cohen Syndrome Patients. Cells 2023; 12:2702. [PMID: 38067130 PMCID: PMC10705360 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cohen syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by VPS13B (COH1) gene mutations. This syndrome is significantly underdiagnosed and is characterized by intellectual disability, microcephaly, autistic symptoms, hypotension, myopia, retinal dystrophy, neutropenia, and obesity. VPS13B regulates intracellular membrane transport and supports the Golgi apparatus structure, which is critical for neuron formation. We generated induced pluripotent stem cells from two patients with pronounced manifestations of Cohen syndrome and differentiated them into neural stem cells and neurons. Using transmission electron microscopy, we documented multiple new ultrastructural changes associated with Cohen syndrome in the neuronal cells. We discovered considerable disturbances in the structure of some organelles: Golgi apparatus fragmentation and swelling, endoplasmic reticulum structural reorganization, mitochondrial defects, and the accumulation of large autophagosomes with undigested contents. These abnormalities underline the ultrastructural similarity of Cohen syndrome to many neurodegenerative diseases. The cell models that we developed based on patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells can serve to uncover not only neurodegenerative processes, but the causes of intellectual disability in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana A Shnaider
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anna A Khabarova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Ksenia N Morozova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anastasia M Yunusova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Sophia A Yakovleva
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anastasia S Chvileva
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Ekaterina R Wolf
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Elena V Kiseleva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Elena V Grigor'eva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Viktori Y Voinova
- Clinical Research Institute of Pediatrics Named after Acad. Y.E. Veltischev, Moscow 125412, Russia
- The Mental Health Research Center, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Maria A Lagarkova
- Lopukhin Federal Research and Clinical Center of Physical-Chemical Medicine of Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow 119435, Russia
| | | | | | - Alexander V Smirnov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anna V Smirnova
- Clinical Research Institute of Pediatrics Named after Acad. Y.E. Veltischev, Moscow 125412, Russia
| | | | - Tatiana I Arefieva
- National Medical Research Centre of Cardiology Named after Academician E. I. Chazov., Moscow 121552, Russia
| | - Daria A Larina
- Clinical Research Institute of Pediatrics Named after Acad. Y.E. Veltischev, Moscow 125412, Russia
| | - Tatiana V Nikitina
- Research Institute of Medical Genetics, Tomsk National Research Medical Center, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Inna E Pristyazhnyuk
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
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Montillot C, Skutunova E, Ayushma, Dubied M, Lahmar A, Nguyen S, Peerally B, Prin F, Duffourd Y, Thauvin-Robinet C, Duplomb L, Wang H, Ansar M, Faivre L, Navarro N, Minocha S, Collins SC, Yalcin B. Characterization of Vps13b-mutant mice reveals neuroanatomical and behavioral phenotypes with females less affected. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 185:106259. [PMID: 37573958 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 13B (VPS13B) is a large and highly conserved protein. Disruption of VPS13B causes the autosomal recessive Cohen syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by microcephaly and intellectual disability among other features, including developmental delay, hypotonia, and friendly-personality. However, the underlying mechanisms by which VPS13B disruption leads to brain dysfunction still remain unexplained. To gain insights into the neuropathogenesis of Cohen syndrome, we systematically characterized brain changes in Vps13b-mutant mice and compared murine findings to 235 previously published and 17 new patients diagnosed with VPS13B-related Cohen syndrome. We showed that Vps13b is differentially expressed across brain regions with the highest expression in the cerebellum, the hippocampus and the cortex with postnatal peak. Half of the Vps13b-/- mice die during the first week of life. The remaining mice have a normal lifespan and display the core phenotypes of the human disease, including microcephaly, growth delay, hypotonia, altered memory, and enhanced sociability. Systematic 2D and 3D brain histo-morphological analyses reveal specific structural changes in the brain starting after birth. The dentate gyrus is the brain region with the most prominent reduction in size, while the motor cortex is specifically thinner in layer VI. The fornix, the fasciculus retroflexus, and the cingulate cortex remain unaffected. Interestingly, these neuroanatomical changes implicate an increase of neuronal death during infantile stages with no progression in adulthood suggesting that VPS13B promotes neuronal survival early in life. Importantly, whilst both sexes were affected, some neuroanatomical and behavioral phenotypes were less pronounced or even absent in females. We evaluate sex differences in Cohen patients and conclude that females are less affected both in mice and patients. Our findings provide new insights about the neurobiology of VPS13B and highlight previously unreported brain phenotypes while defining Cohen syndrome as a likely new entity of non-progressive infantile neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Montillot
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Emilia Skutunova
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Ayushma
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Morgane Dubied
- Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, EPHE, Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Adam Lahmar
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Sylvie Nguyen
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Benazir Peerally
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Fabrice Prin
- Crick Advanced Light Microscopy Facility, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Yannis Duffourd
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France; Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, Dijon University Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Christel Thauvin-Robinet
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France; Unité Fonctionnelle Innovation en Diagnostic génomique des maladies rares, FHU-TRANSLAD, Dijon University Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France; Reference Center for Rare Diseases "Déficiences intellectuelles de causes rares", Dijon University Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Laurence Duplomb
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Heng Wang
- DDC Clinic for Special Needs Children, Middlefield, OH 44062, USA
| | - Muhammad Ansar
- Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; Advanced Molecular Genetics and Genomics Disease Research and Treatment Centre, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Laurence Faivre
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France; Reference Center for Rare Diseases "Anomalies du Développement et syndromes malformatifs", Dijon University Hospital, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Nicolas Navarro
- Biogéosciences, UMR 6282 CNRS, EPHE, Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; EPHE, PSL University, Paris 75014, France
| | - Shilpi Minocha
- Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IITD), Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Stephan C Collins
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Binnaz Yalcin
- Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Inserm Unit 1231, 21000 Dijon, France.
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Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis Underlying Inherited Retinal Dystrophies. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020271. [PMID: 36830640 PMCID: PMC9953031 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are congenital retinal degenerative diseases that have various inheritance patterns, including dominant, recessive, X-linked, and mitochondrial. These diseases are most often the result of defects in rod and/or cone photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium function, development, or both. The genes associated with these diseases, when mutated, produce altered protein products that have downstream effects in pathways critical to vision, including phototransduction, the visual cycle, photoreceptor development, cellular respiration, and retinal homeostasis. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review of the underlying molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of IRDs by delving into many of the genes associated with IRD development, their protein products, and the pathways interrupted by genetic mutation.
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Quantitative trait locus analysis for endophenotypes reveals genetic substrates of core symptom domains and neurocognitive function in autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:407. [PMID: 36153334 PMCID: PMC9509384 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders and is largely attributable to genetic risk factors. Phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity of ASD have been well-recognized; however, genetic substrates for endophenotypes that constitute phenotypic heterogeneity are not yet known. In the present study, we compiled data from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange, which contains the demographic and detailed phenotype information of 11,961 individuals. Notably, the whole-genome sequencing data available from MSSNG and iHART for 3833 individuals in this dataset was used to perform an endophenotype-wide association study. Using a linear mixed model, genome-wide association analyses were performed for 29 endophenotype scores and 0.58 million common variants with variant allele frequency ≥ 5%. We discovered significant associations between 9 genetic variants and 6 endophenotype scores comprising neurocognitive development and severity scores for core symptoms of ASD at a significance threshold of p < 5 × 10-7. Of note, the Stereotyped Behaviors and Restricted Interests total score in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Module 3 was significantly associated with multiple variants in the VPS13B gene, a causal gene for Cohen syndrome and a candidate gene for syndromic ASD. Our findings yielded loci with small effect sizes due to the moderate sample size and, thus, require validation in another cohort. Nonetheless, our endophenotype-wide association analysis extends previous candidate gene discovery in the context of genotype and endophenotype association. As a result, these candidate genes may be responsible for specific traits that constitute core symptoms and neurocognitive function of ASD rather than the disorder itself.
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Kaminska J, Soczewka P, Rzepnikowska W, Zoladek T. Yeast as a Model to Find New Drugs and Drug Targets for VPS13-Dependent Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095106. [PMID: 35563497 PMCID: PMC9104724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in human VPS13A-D genes result in rare neurological diseases, including chorea-acanthocytosis. The pathogenesis of these diseases is poorly understood, and no effective treatment is available. As VPS13 genes are evolutionarily conserved, the effects of the pathogenic mutations could be studied in model organisms, including yeast, where one VPS13 gene is present. In this review, we summarize advancements obtained using yeast. In recent studies, vps13Δ and vps13-I2749 yeast mutants, which are models of chorea-acanthocytosis, were used to screen for multicopy and chemical suppressors. Two of the suppressors, a fragment of the MYO3 and RCN2 genes, act by downregulating calcineurin activity. In addition, vps13Δ suppression was achieved by using calcineurin inhibitors. The other group of multicopy suppressors were genes: FET4, encoding iron transporter, and CTR1, CTR3 and CCC2, encoding copper transporters. Mechanisms of their suppression rely on causing an increase in the intracellular iron content. Moreover, among the identified chemical suppressors were copper ionophores, which require a functional iron uptake system for activity, and flavonoids, which bind iron. These findings point at areas for further investigation in a higher eukaryotic model of VPS13-related diseases and to new therapeutic targets: calcium signalling and copper and iron homeostasis. Furthermore, the identified drugs are interesting candidates for drug repurposing for these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kaminska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Piotr Soczewka
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Weronika Rzepnikowska
- Neuromuscular Unit, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Teresa Zoladek
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (J.K.); (P.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Deneubourg C, Ramm M, Smith LJ, Baron O, Singh K, Byrne SC, Duchen MR, Gautel M, Eskelinen EL, Fanto M, Jungbluth H. The spectrum of neurodevelopmental, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders due to defective autophagy. Autophagy 2022; 18:496-517. [PMID: 34130600 PMCID: PMC9037555 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2021.1943177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary dysfunction of autophagy due to Mendelian defects affecting core components of the autophagy machinery or closely related proteins have recently emerged as an important cause of genetic disease. This novel group of human disorders may present throughout life and comprises severe early-onset neurodevelopmental and more common adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders. Early-onset (or congenital) disorders of autophagy often share a recognizable "clinical signature," including variable combinations of neurological, neuromuscular and multisystem manifestations. Structural CNS abnormalities, cerebellar involvement, spasticity and peripheral nerve pathology are prominent neurological features, indicating a specific vulnerability of certain neuronal populations to autophagic disturbance. A typically biphasic disease course of late-onset neurodegeneration occurring on the background of a neurodevelopmental disorder further supports a role of autophagy in both neuronal development and maintenance. Additionally, an associated myopathy has been characterized in several conditions. The differential diagnosis comprises a wide range of other multisystem disorders, including mitochondrial, glycogen and lysosomal storage disorders, as well as ciliopathies, glycosylation and vesicular trafficking defects. The clinical overlap between the congenital disorders of autophagy and these conditions reflects the multiple roles of the proteins and/or emerging molecular connections between the pathways implicated and suggests an exciting area for future research. Therapy development for congenital disorders of autophagy is still in its infancy but may result in the identification of molecules that target autophagy more specifically than currently available compounds. The close connection with adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders highlights the relevance of research into rare early-onset neurodevelopmental conditions for much more common, age-related human diseases.Abbreviations: AC: anterior commissure; AD: Alzheimer disease; ALR: autophagic lysosomal reformation; ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; AMBRA1: autophagy and beclin 1 regulator 1; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; ASD: autism spectrum disorder; ATG: autophagy related; BIN1: bridging integrator 1; BPAN: beta-propeller protein associated neurodegeneration; CC: corpus callosum; CHMP2B: charged multivesicular body protein 2B; CHS: Chediak-Higashi syndrome; CMA: chaperone-mediated autophagy; CMT: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; CNM: centronuclear myopathy; CNS: central nervous system; DNM2: dynamin 2; DPR: dipeptide repeat protein; DVL3: disheveled segment polarity protein 3; EPG5: ectopic P-granules autophagy protein 5 homolog; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; ESCRT: homotypic fusion and protein sorting complex; FIG4: FIG4 phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase; FTD: frontotemporal dementia; GBA: glucocerebrosidase; GD: Gaucher disease; GRN: progranulin; GSD: glycogen storage disorder; HC: hippocampal commissure; HD: Huntington disease; HOPS: homotypic fusion and protein sorting complex; HSPP: hereditary spastic paraparesis; LAMP2A: lysosomal associated membrane protein 2A; MEAX: X-linked myopathy with excessive autophagy; mHTT: mutant huntingtin; MSS: Marinesco-Sjoegren syndrome; MTM1: myotubularin 1; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NBIA: neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation; NCL: neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis; NPC1: Niemann-Pick disease type 1; PD: Parkinson disease; PtdIns3P: phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate; RAB3GAP1: RAB3 GTPase activating protein catalytic subunit 1; RAB3GAP2: RAB3 GTPase activating non-catalytic protein subunit 2; RB1: RB1-inducible coiled-coil protein 1; RHEB: ras homolog, mTORC1 binding; SCAR20: SNX14-related ataxia; SENDA: static encephalopathy of childhood with neurodegeneration in adulthood; SNX14: sorting nexin 14; SPG11: SPG11 vesicle trafficking associated, spatacsin; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TBC1D20: TBC1 domain family member 20; TECPR2: tectonin beta-propeller repeat containing 2; TSC1: TSC complex subunit 1; TSC2: TSC complex subunit 2; UBQLN2: ubiquilin 2; VCP: valosin-containing protein; VMA21: vacuolar ATPase assembly factor VMA21; WDFY3/ALFY: WD repeat and FYVE domain containing protein 3; WDR45: WD repeat domain 45; WDR47: WD repeat domain 47; WMS: Warburg Micro syndrome; XLMTM: X-linked myotubular myopathy; ZFYVE26: zinc finger FYVE-type containing 26.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Deneubourg
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, IoPPN, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Mauricio Ramm
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Luke J. Smith
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Muscle Signalling Section, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Olga Baron
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Kritarth Singh
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Susan C. Byrne
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Neuromuscular Service, Evelina’s Children Hospital, Guy’s & St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael R. Duchen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mathias Gautel
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Muscle Signalling Section, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Eeva-Liisa Eskelinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Molecular and Integrative Biosciences Research Programme, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Manolis Fanto
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, IoPPN, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Heinz Jungbluth
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, IoPPN, King’s College London, London, UK
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Muscle Signalling Section, King’s College London, London, UK
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Neuromuscular Service, Evelina’s Children Hospital, Guy’s & St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Hu X, Huang T, Liu Y, Zhang L, Zhu L, Peng X, Zhang S. Identification of a Novel VPS13B Mutation in a Chinese Patient with Cohen Syndrome by Whole-Exome Sequencing. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2021; 14:1583-1589. [PMID: 34898996 PMCID: PMC8657012 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s327252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The present study aims to investigate the clinical features and diagnostic characteristics of children with Cohen syndrome caused by the vacuolar protein sorting 13 homolog B (VPS13B) gene mutation and to review the relevant literature to provide a reference for genetic counseling and the diagnosis of Cohen syndrome. Methods The clinical data and molecular genetic test results of a child with Cohen syndrome were retrospectively analyzed and a review of the relevant literature was conducted. Results A two-year-and-four-month-old boy was referred to the hospital for recurrent fever and shortness of breath. On physical examination, the boy was found to have growth retardation, thick bushy hair, microcephaly, hypertelorism, down-slanting palpebral fissures, and hypotonia. Genetic testing was performed, and the results suggested the presence of exon 20–32 heterozygous deletion and c.8275 delC (p.R2759 fs*18) heterozygous variant on the VPS13B gene from phenotypically normal parents. These two mutation loci have not been reported in the literature, and they were predicted by relevant software to be pathogenic variants. Conclusion We identified two novel variants in the VPS13B gene (exon 20–32 heterozygous deletion and c.8275 delC heterozygous variant) in a boy with Cohen syndrome, thus extending the spectrum of VPS13B gene variants in patients with Cohen syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
| | - Sufang Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, People's Republic of China
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Lhussiez V, Dubus E, Cesar Q, Acar N, Nandrot EF, Simonutti M, Audo I, Lizé E, Nguyen S, Geissler A, Bouchot A, Ansar M, Picaud S, Thauvin-Robinet C, Olivier-Faivre L, Duplomb L, Da Costa R. Cohen Syndrome-Associated Cataract Is Explained by VPS13B Functions in Lens Homeostasis and Is Modified by Additional Genetic Factors. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 61:18. [PMID: 32915983 PMCID: PMC7488618 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.61.11.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Cohen syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by variants of the VPS13B gene. CS patients are affected with a severe form of retinal dystrophy, and in several cases cataracts also develop. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms and risk factors for cataract in CS, as well as to report on cataract surgeries in CS patients. Methods To understand how VPS13B is associated with visual impairments in CS, we generated the Vps13b∆Ex3/∆Ex3 mouse model. Mice from 1 to 3 months of age were followed by ophthalmoscopy and slit-lamp examinations. Phenotypes were investigated by histology, immunohistochemistry, and western blot. Literature analysis was performed to determine specific characteristic features of cataract in CS and to identify potential genotype–phenotype correlations. Results Cataracts rapidly developed in 2-month-old knockout mice and were present in almost all lenses at 3 months. Eye fundi appeared normal until cataract development. Lens immunostaining revealed that cataract formation was associated with the appearance of large vacuoles in the cortical area, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and fibrosis. In later stages, cataracts became hypermature, leading to profound retinal remodeling due to inflammatory events. Literature analysis showed that CS-related cataracts display specific features compared to other forms of retinitis pigmentosa-related cataracts, and their onset is modified by additional genetic factors. Corroboratively, we were able to isolate a subline of the Vps13b∆Ex3/∆Ex3 model with delayed cataract onset. Conclusions VPS13B participates in lens homeostasis, and the CS-related cataract development dynamic is linked to additional genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Lhussiez
- INSERM UMR1231, Equipe GAD, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Elisabeth Dubus
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.,Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Quénol Cesar
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Niyazi Acar
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAE, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Emeline F Nandrot
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Manuel Simonutti
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Audo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Eléonore Lizé
- INSERM UMR1231, Equipe GAD, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Sylvie Nguyen
- INSERM UMR1231, Equipe GAD, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France
| | - Audrey Geissler
- Plateforme d'Imagerie Cellulaire DImaCell (site CellImaP), INSERM LNC UMR1231, Dijon, France
| | - André Bouchot
- Plateforme d'Imagerie Cellulaire DImaCell (site CellImaP), INSERM LNC UMR1231, Dijon, France
| | - Muhammad Ansar
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Picaud
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Christel Thauvin-Robinet
- INSERM UMR1231, Equipe GAD, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France.,FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,Centre de Référence Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Laurence Olivier-Faivre
- INSERM UMR1231, Equipe GAD, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France.,FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Laurence Duplomb
- INSERM UMR1231, Equipe GAD, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France.,FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Romain Da Costa
- INSERM UMR1231, Equipe GAD, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, Dijon, France.,FHU-TRANSLAD, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
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