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Xu Y, Li Y, Richard SA, Sun Y, Zhu C. Genetic pathways in cerebral palsy: a review of the implications for precision diagnosis and understanding disease mechanisms. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1499-1508. [PMID: 38051892 PMCID: PMC10883492 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Cerebral palsy is a diagnostic term utilized to describe a group of permanent disorders affecting movement and posture. Patients with cerebral palsy are often only capable of limited activity, resulting from non-progressive disturbances in the fetal or neonatal brain. These disturbances severely impact the child's daily life and impose a substantial economic burden on the family. Although cerebral palsy encompasses various brain injuries leading to similar clinical outcomes, the understanding of its etiological pathways remains incomplete owing to its complexity and heterogeneity. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the genetic factors influencing cerebral palsy development. It is now widely acknowledged that genetic mutations and alterations play a pivotal role in cerebral palsy development, which can be further influenced by environmental factors. Despite continuous research endeavors, the underlying factors contributing to cerebral palsy remain are still elusive. However, significant progress has been made in genetic research that has markedly enhanced our comprehension of the genetic factors underlying cerebral palsy development. Moreover, these genetic factors have been categorized based on the identified gene mutations in patients through clinical genotyping, including thrombosis, angiogenesis, mitochondrial and oxidative phosphorylation function, neuronal migration, and cellular autophagy. Furthermore, exploring targeted genotypes holds potential for precision treatment. In conclusion, advancements in genetic research have substantially improved our understanding of the genetic causes underlying cerebral palsy. These breakthroughs have the potential to pave the way for new treatments and therapies, consequently shaping the future of cerebral palsy research and its clinical management. The investigation of cerebral palsy genetics holds the potential to significantly advance treatments and management strategies. By elucidating the underlying cellular mechanisms, we can develop targeted interventions to optimize outcomes. A continued collaboration between researchers and clinicians is imperative to comprehensively unravel the intricate genetic etiology of cerebral palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Xu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- National Health Council (NHC) Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Henan Key Laboratory of Population Defects Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yifei Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Seidu A Richard
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Yanyan Sun
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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2
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Neves R, Panek R, Clarkson K, Panagioti O, Fernandez NS, Wilne S, Suri M, Whitehouse WP, Jagani S, Dandapani M, Glazebrook C, Dineen RA. Feasibility of whole-body MRI for cancer screening in children and young people with ataxia telangiectasia: A mixed methods cross-sectional study. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e70049. [PMID: 39056567 PMCID: PMC11273546 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is an inherited multisystem disorder with increased sensitivity to ionising radiation and elevated cancer risk. Although other cancer predisposition syndromes have established cancer screening protocols, evidence-based guidelines for cancer screening in A-T are lacking. This study sought to assess feasibility of a cancer screening protocol based on whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) in children and young people with A-T. DESIGN/METHODS Children and young people with A-T were invited to undergo a one-off non-sedated 3-Tesla WB-MRI. Completion rate of WB-MRI was recorded and diagnostic image quality assessed by two experienced radiologists, with pre-specified success thresholds for scan completion of >50% participants and image quality between acceptable to excellent in 65% participants. Positive imaging findings were classified according to the ONCO-RADS system. Post-participation interviews were performed with recruited families to assess the experience of participating and feelings about waiting for, and communication of, the findings of the scan. RESULTS Forty-six children and young people with A-T were identified, of which 36 were eligible to participate, 18 were recruited and 16 underwent WB-MRI. Nineteen parents participated in interviews. Fifteen participants (83%) completed the full WB-MRI scan protocol. The pre-specified image quality criterion was achieved with diagnostic images obtained in at least 93% of each MRI sequence. Non-malignant scan findings were present in 4 (25%) participants. Six themes were identified from the interviews: (1) anxiety is a familiar feeling, (2) the process of MRI scanning is challenging for some children and families, (3) preparation is essential to reduce stress, (4) WB-MRI provides the reassurance about the physical health that families need, (5) WB-MRI experience turned out to be a positive experience and (6) WB-MRI allows families to be proactive. CONCLUSION This study shows that WB-MRI for cancer screening is feasible and well-accepted by children and young people with A-T and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Neves
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Department of RadiologyNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
| | - Rafal Panek
- Medical Physics and Clinical EngineeringNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
- School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Katie Clarkson
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health SciencesLoughborough UniversityLoughboroughUK
| | | | - Natasha Schneider Fernandez
- Independent Patient and Parent Representative, c/o Radiological Sciences, Mental Heatlh and Clinical Neuroscience, School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Sophie Wilne
- Department of Paediatric OncologyNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
| | - Mohnish Suri
- School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Nottingham Clinical Genetics ServiceNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
| | - William P. Whitehouse
- School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Paediatric NeurologyNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
| | - Sumit Jagani
- Department of Radiology, Nottingham Children's HospitalNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
| | - Madhumita Dandapani
- Department of Paediatric OncologyNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
- Children's Brain Tumour Research CentreUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Cris Glazebrook
- Institute of Mental HealthUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Robert A. Dineen
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- Department of RadiologyNottingham University Hospitals NHS TrustNottinghamUK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research CentreNottinghamUK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging CentreUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
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3
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Kansal R. The CRISPR-Cas System and Clinical Applications of CRISPR-Based Gene Editing in Hematology with a Focus on Inherited Germline Predisposition to Hematologic Malignancies. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:863. [PMID: 39062641 PMCID: PMC11276294 DOI: 10.3390/genes15070863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based gene editing has begun to transform the treatment landscape of genetic diseases. The history of the discovery of CRISPR/CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins/single-guide RNA (sgRNA)-based gene editing since the first report of repetitive sequences of unknown significance in 1987 is fascinating, highly instructive, and inspiring for future advances in medicine. The recent approval of CRISPR-Cas9-based gene therapy to treat patients with severe sickle cell anemia and transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia has renewed hope for treating other hematologic diseases, including patients with a germline predisposition to hematologic malignancies, who would benefit greatly from the development of CRISPR-inspired gene therapies. The purpose of this paper is three-fold: first, a chronological description of the history of CRISPR-Cas9-sgRNA-based gene editing; second, a brief description of the current state of clinical research in hematologic diseases, including selected applications in treating hematologic diseases with CRISPR-based gene therapy, preceded by a brief description of the current tools being used in clinical genome editing; and third, a presentation of the current progress in gene therapies in inherited hematologic diseases and bone marrow failure syndromes, to hopefully stimulate efforts towards developing these therapies for patients with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes and other inherited conditions with a germline predisposition to hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rina Kansal
- Molecular Oncology and Genetics, Diagnostic Laboratories, Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA;
- Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, The University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
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4
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Lee H, Na JH, Lee YM. Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome as a New Phenotype of Ataxia-Telangiectasia Syndrome. Indian J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s12098-024-05179-x. [PMID: 38853195 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-024-05179-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjoo Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Na
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Mock Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Korea.
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5
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Pereira RA, Dantas EO, Loekmanwidjaja J, Mazzucchelli JTL, Aranda CS, Serrano MEG, De La Cruz Córdoba EA, Bezrodnik L, Moreira I, Ferreira JFS, Dantas VM, Sales VSF, Fernandez CC, Vilela MMS, Motta IP, Franco JL, Arango JCO, Álvarez-Álvarez JA, Cardozo LRR, Orellana JC, Condino-Neto A, Kokron CM, Barros MT, Regairaz L, Cabanillas D, Suarez CLN, Rosario NA, Chong-Neto HJ, Takano OA, Nadaf MISV, Moraes LSL, Tavares FS, Rabelo F, Pino J, Calderon WC, Mendoza-Quispe D, Goudouris ES, Patiño V, Montenegro C, Souza MS, Branco ABXCC, Forte WCN, Carvalho FAA, Segundo G, Cheik MFA, Roxo-Junior P, Peres M, Oliveira AM, Neto ACP, Ortega-López MC, Lozano A, Lozano NA, Nieto LH, Grumach AS, Costa DC, Antunes NMN, Nudelman V, Pereira CTM, Martinez MDM, Quiroz FJR, Cardona AA, Nuñez-Nuñez ME, Rodriguez JA, Cuellar CM, Vijoditz G, Bichuetti-Silva DC, Prando CCM, Amantéa SL, Costa-Carvalho BT. Ataxia-telangiectasia in Latin America: clinical features, immunodeficiency, and mortality in a multicenter study. Immunol Res 2024:10.1007/s12026-024-09494-5. [PMID: 38834764 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-024-09494-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a rare genetic disorder leading to neurological defects, telangiectasias, and immunodeficiency. We aimed to study the clinical and immunological features of Latin American patients with AT and analyze factors associated with mortality. Referral centers from 9 Latin American countries participated in this retrospective cohort study, and 218 patients were included. Median (IQR) ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 1.0 (1.0-2.0) and 5.0 (3.0-8.0) years, respectively. Most patients presented recurrent airway infections, which was significantly associated with IgA deficiency. IgA deficiency was observed in 60.8% of patients and IgG deficiency in 28.6%. T- and B-lymphopenias were also present in most cases. Mean survival was 24.2 years, and Kaplan-Meier 20-year-survival rate was 52.6%, with higher mortality associated with female gender and low IgG levels. These findings suggest that immunologic status should be investigated in all patients with AT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan A Pereira
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ileana Moreira
- Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutierrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Vera M Dantas
- Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Antonio Condino-Neto
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristina M Kokron
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Myrthes T Barros
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lorena Regairaz
- Hospital de Niños Sor Maria Ludovica, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Flaviane Rabelo
- Hospital da Criança de Brasília José de Alencar, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Jessica Pino
- Clinica Fundación Valle del Lili, Cale, Colombia
| | - Wilmer C Calderon
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | - Virginia Patiño
- Hospital de Pediatría del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Montenegro
- Hospital de Pediatría del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Monica S Souza
- Hospital Federal Dos Servidores Do Estado, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Wilma C N Forte
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Flavia A A Carvalho
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança E Do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira (IFF/Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Persio Roxo-Junior
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Maryanna Peres
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anete S Grumach
- Faculdade de Medicina Do ABC, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carolina C M Prando
- Hospital Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil
- Faculdades Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil
- Instituto de Pesquisa Pelé Pequeno Príncipe, Curitiba, Brazil
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Schiller J, Towne MC, Epstein R, Thornton JK, Suslovitch V. How parents of children with ataxia-telangiectasia use dynamic coping to navigate cyclical uncertainty. J Genet Couns 2024; 33:301-313. [PMID: 37183503 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare, childhood-onset, multi-systemic, progressive condition. Parents of children with rare diseases like A-T are emotionally, socially, and psychologically impacted by the diagnosis. To examine the parental perspective of having a child with A-T, and to better understand how parents cope with an A-T diagnosis, we conducted 10 semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis using a phenomenological approach resulted in five themes: (1) Parental responsibilities change as the result of an A-T diagnosis, (2) An A-T diagnosis brings about shifts in identity for all family members, (3) Parental coping changes over time, (4) A-T parents experience continuous uncertainty and a lack of stability, and (5) A-T parents receive support from various people, places, and resources. Many parents fostered resilience by adopting a present-centered and positive mindset about the impacts of the diagnosis. Parents also became A-T experts and used their knowledge to advocate for their children and help mentor other parents. Responses from parents indicated a need for providers to incorporate parental mental well-being check-ins to pediatric rare disease appointments and welcome parents as respected members of their children's care team. Genetic counselors are in a unique position to help coordinate complex care for children with A-T (and other rare diseases) and provide support to family members using the framework of family-centered care. This paper offers suggestions for expanding support and learning to cope with a difficult diagnosis for parents of children with rare diseases, specifically A-T, based on stories from parents of children with A-T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schiller
- Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meghan C Towne
- Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Ambry Genetics, Aliso Viejo, California, USA
| | - Rachel Epstein
- Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Victoria Suslovitch
- Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Khan M, Cassidy E, Parkin T, Wallace A, Carter B, Paton J, Donohue K, Mitchell S, Quin G, McNarry N, Hartley H, Bailey H, Whitehouse W, Medd R, Zahidi A, McMullan M, Bunn L. The Care and Management of Children and Young People with Ataxia Telangiectasia Provided by Nurses and Allied Health Professionals: a Scoping Review. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:722-756. [PMID: 37119406 PMCID: PMC10148630 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare, multisystem progressive condition that typically presents in early childhood. In the absence of cure, people with A-T require coordinated multidisciplinary care to manage their complex array of needs and to minimize the disease burden. Although symptom management has proven benefits for this population, including improved quality of life and reduced complications, there is a need for guidance specific to the nursing and allied healthcare teams who provide care within the community. A scoping review, adopting the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, was undertaken. It aimed to identify and map the available expertise from nursing and allied healthcare and management of children and young people with A-T ≤ 18 years of age. A rigorous search strategy was employed which generated a total of 21,118 sources of evidence, of which 50 were selected for review following screening by experts. A range of interventions were identified that reported a positive impact on A-T-related impairments, together with quality of life, indicating that outcomes can be improved for this population. Most notable interventions specific to A-T include therapeutic exercise, inspiratory muscle training, and early nutritional assessment and intervention. Further research will be required to determine the full potential of the identified interventions, including translatability to the A-T setting for evidence related to other forms of ataxia. Large gaps exist in the nursing and allied health evidence-base, highlighting a need for robust research that includes children and young people with A-T and their families to better inform and optimize management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munira Khan
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Tracey Parkin
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | | | | | - Joanne Paton
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | | | | | - Gemma Quin
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Nicola McNarry
- National Paediatric Ataxia Telangiectasia Clinic, Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Helen Hartley
- Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - William Whitehouse
- National Paediatric Ataxia Telangiectasia Clinic, Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Asma Zahidi
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Lisa Bunn
- Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
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8
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Major T, Tiet MY, Horvath R, Hensiek AE. Correlation Between the SARA and A-T NEST Clinical Severity Scores in Adults with Ataxia-Telangiectasia. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:455-458. [PMID: 37036622 PMCID: PMC10951025 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01528-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease associated with cerebellar ataxia and extrapyramidal features. A-T has a complex and diverse phenotype with varying rates of disease progression. The development of robust natural history studies and therapeutic trials relies on the accurate recording of phenotype using relevant and validated severity of illness indexes. We compared the commonly used Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and the disease-specific A-T Neurological Examination Scale Toolkit (A-T NEST), in our adult A-T cohort. We found a strong correlation between A-T NEST and the established SARA score, validating the use of A-T NEST and SARA in capturing the natural history of A-T patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toby Major
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK
| | - May Yung Tiet
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, UK
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ, UK
| | - Anke E Hensiek
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
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Sokay A, Leahy TR, O'Regan M, O' Grady M. Variant ataxia telangiectasia identified during evaluation for short stature. BMJ Case Rep 2024; 17:e257736. [PMID: 38453233 PMCID: PMC10921506 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-257736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) (OMIM 208900) is an autosomal recessive multisystem disorder characterised by progressive cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasias, immunodeficiency and a predisposition to malignancy. 'Variant' A-T has later onset of neurological symptoms and slower progression compared with the 'classic' form. A woman presented with short stature in late childhood. Karyotype revealed rearrangements involving chromosomes 7 and 14. A chromosomal breakage disorder gene panel demonstrated compound heterozygote mutations in her ATM gene including one mutation c.7271T>G with residual ATM function, confirming the diagnosis of variant A-T. Since diagnosis, she has developed progressive cerebellar ataxia and telangiectasias. Long-standing restrictive and aversive feeding behaviours presented challenges for her management and necessitated gastrostomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anitha Sokay
- Paediatrics, Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, Mullingar, Ireland
| | | | - Mary O'Regan
- Neurology, Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin, Crumlin, Ireland
| | - Michael O' Grady
- Paediatrics, Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, Mullingar, Ireland
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10
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Lindahl H, Svensson E, Danielsson A, Puschmann A, Svenningson P, Tesi B, Paucar M. The clinical spectrum of ataxia telangiectasia in a cohort in Sweden. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26073. [PMID: 38404774 PMCID: PMC10884802 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26073] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), caused by biallelic variants in the ATM gene, is a multisystemic and severe syndrome characterized by progressive ataxia, telangiectasia, hyperkinesia, immunodeficiency, increased risk of malignancy, and typically death before the age of 30. In this retrospective study we describe the phenotype of 14 pediatric and adult A-T patients evaluated at the Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden during the last 12 years. Most of the patients in this cohort were severely affected by ataxia and wheelchair use started at a median age of 9 years. One patient died before the age of 30 years, but five patients had survived beyond this age. Four patients received prophylactic immunoglobulin replacement therapy due to hypogammaglobulinemia and respiratory complications ranged from mild to moderate severity. Three patients developed type 2 diabetes in young adulthood and nine patients (64%) had a history of elevated liver function tests. Four patients were diagnosed with cancer at ages 7, 41, 47, and 49 years. All the ATM variants in these patients were previously reported as pathogenic except one, c.6040G > A, which results in a p.Glu2014Lys missense variant. With increased life expectancy, A-T complications such as diabetes type 2 and liver disease may become more common. Despite having severe neurological presentations, the A-T patients in this case series had relatively mild infectious and respiratory complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Lindahl
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Svensson
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annika Danielsson
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Sachska Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Puschmann
- Neurology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sweden
- Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- SciLifeLab National Research Infrastructure, Sweden
| | - Per Svenningson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bianca Tesi
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Center for Hematology and Regenerative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Paucar
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Presterud R, Deng WH, Wennerström AB, Burgers T, Gajera B, Mattsson K, Solberg A, Fang EF, Nieminen AI, Stray-Pedersen A, Nilsen H. Long-Term Nicotinamide Riboside Use Improves Coordination and Eye Movements in Ataxia Telangiectasia. Mov Disord 2024; 39:360-369. [PMID: 37899683 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supplementation of nicotinamide riboside (NR) ameliorates neuropathology in animal models of ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). In humans, short-term NR supplementation showed benefits in neurological outcome. OBJECTIVES The study aimed to investigate the safety and benefits of long-term NR supplementation in individuals with A-T. METHODS A single-arm, open-label clinical trial was performed in individuals with A-T, receiving NR over a period of 2 years. Biomarkers and clinical examinations were used to assess safety parameters. Standardized and validated neuromotor tests were used to monitor changes in neurological symptoms. Using generalized mixed models, test results were compared to expected disease progression based on historical data. RESULTS NAD+ concentrations increased rapidly in peripheral blood and stabilized at a higher level than baseline. NR supplementation was well tolerated for most participants. The total scores in the neuromotor test panels, as evaluated at the 18-month time point, improved for all but one participant, primarily driven by improvements in coordination subscores and eye movements. A comparison with historical data revealed that the progression of certain neuromotor symptoms was slower than anticipated. CONCLUSIONS Long-term use of NR appears to be safe and well tolerated, and it improves motor coordination and eye movements in patients with A-T of all ages. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wei Hai Deng
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology (OCBE), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anna Berit Wennerström
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway
| | - Trudy Burgers
- Habilitation Unit, Sanderud, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Bharat Gajera
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kirsten Mattsson
- Habilitation Unit, Sanderud, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Agnes Solberg
- Habilitation Unit, Sanderud, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Evandro F Fang
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway
- The Norwegian Centre on Healthy Ageing (NO-Age), Oslo, Norway
| | - Anni I Nieminen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Asbjørg Stray-Pedersen
- Habilitation Unit, Sanderud, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
- Norwegian National Unit for Newborn Screening, Division of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hilde Nilsen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen), Akershus University Hospital, Nordbyhagen, Norway
- The Norwegian Centre on Healthy Ageing (NO-Age), Oslo, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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12
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Lai J, Demirbas D, Kim J, Jeffries AM, Tolles A, Park J, Chittenden TW, Buckley PG, Yu TW, Lodato MA, Lee EA. ATM-deficiency-induced microglial activation promotes neurodegeneration in ataxia-telangiectasia. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113622. [PMID: 38159274 PMCID: PMC10908398 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
While ATM loss of function has long been identified as the genetic cause of ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), how it leads to selective and progressive degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje and granule neurons remains unclear. ATM expression is enriched in microglia throughout cerebellar development and adulthood. Here, we find evidence of microglial inflammation in the cerebellum of patients with A-T using single-nucleus RNA sequencing. Pseudotime analysis revealed that activation of A-T microglia preceded upregulation of apoptosis-related genes in granule and Purkinje neurons and that microglia exhibited increased neurotoxic cytokine signaling to granule and Purkinje neurons in A-T. To confirm these findings experimentally, we performed transcriptomic profiling of A-T induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived microglia, which revealed cell-intrinsic microglial activation of cytokine production and innate immune response pathways compared to controls. Furthermore, A-T microglia co-culture with either control or A-T iPSC-derived neurons was sufficient to induce cytotoxicity. Taken together, these studies reveal that cell-intrinsic microglial activation may promote neurodegeneration in A-T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Lai
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Didem Demirbas
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Junho Kim
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Ailsa M Jeffries
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Allie Tolles
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Junseok Park
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Thomas W Chittenden
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Computational Statistics and Bioinformatics Group, Genuity AI Research Institute, Genuity Science, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Timothy W Yu
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael A Lodato
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA.
| | - Eunjung Alice Lee
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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13
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Kridli N, Sturza J, Michniacki TF. Patient-Reported Outcomes and Medical Provider Satisfaction Among Adult and Pediatric Ataxia-Telangiectasia Patients. J Clin Immunol 2024; 44:51. [PMID: 38231422 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-024-01652-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare genetic condition with malfunctioning DNA repair processes resulting in significant clinical findings, including progressive neurologic decline, elevated malignancy risk, immunodeficiency, oculocutaneous telangiectasias, and severe pulmonary disease. Research has been limited into the quality of life of such patients and yet to be completed are studies quantitatively analyzing psychosocial, physical, and cognitive patient-reported outcomes (PROs) within the A-T population. METHODS PRO evaluations of 90 international adult and pediatric A-T patients and their caregivers were completed via secure online administration of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short forms evaluating anger, cognition, mood, social health, fatigue, pain, anxiety, and upper extremity function. The impact of age, gender, race/ethnicity, prior malignancy diagnosis, and current supportive treatment interventions on such PROs was additionally assessed. Finally, given the importance of medical providers in the care of A-T patients and the impact of patient satisfaction on healthcare outcomes, we further analyzed, via a novel survey, how patients and caregivers perceived their primary A-T healthcare provider's A-T expertise, trustworthiness, accessibility, and level of compassion. RESULTS/CONCLUSION It was found that a diagnosis of A-T complexly impacts patient PROs, but such data offers the potential for preventative and therapeutic interventions to improve the care of such patients. While most A-T patients and their caregivers feel their primary A-T medical provider has expertise and compassion in addition to being accessible and trustworthy, a significant percentage of study subjects did not agree that their provider was an expert in A-T or overall trustworthy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Kridli
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Julie Sturza
- Department of Statistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas F Michniacki
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Michigan, D4202 Medical Professional Building, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5718, USA.
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14
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Amandi ARD, Jabbarpour N, Shiva S, Bonyadi M. Identification of Two Novel Pathogenic Variants of the ATM Gene in the Iranian-Azeri Turkish Ethnic Group by Applying Whole Exome Sequencing. Curr Genomics 2023; 24:345-353. [PMID: 38327652 PMCID: PMC10845066 DOI: 10.2174/0113892029268949231104165301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The ATM gene encodes a multifunctional kinase involved in important cellular functions, such as checkpoint signaling and apoptosis, in response to DNA damage. Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in this gene cause Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT), while carriers of ATM pathogenic variants are at increased risk of cancer depending on the pathogenicity of the variant they carry. Identifying pathogenic variants can aid in the management of the disease in carriers. Methods Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on three unrelated patients from the Iranian-Azeri Turkish ethnic group referred to a genetic center for analysis. WES was also conducted on 400 individuals from the same ethnic group to determine the frequencies of all ATM variants. Blood samples were collected from the patients and their family members for DNA extraction, and PCR-Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the WES results. Results The first proband with AT disease had two novel compound heterozygote variants (c.2639-2A>T, c.8708delC) in the ATM gene revealed by WES analysis, which was potentially/likely pathogenic. The second proband with bi-lateral breast cancer had a homozygous pathogenic variant (c.6067G>A) in the ATM gene identified by WES analysis. The third case with a family history of cancer had a heterozygous synonymous pathogenic variant (c.7788G>A) in the ATM gene found by WES analysis. Sanger sequencing confirmed the WES results, and bioinformatics analysis of the mutated ATM RNA and protein structure added evidence for the potential pathogenicity of the novel variants. WES analysis of the cohort revealed 38 different variants, including a variant (rs1800057, ATM:c.3161C>G, p.P1054R) associated with prostate cancer that had a higher frequency in our cohort. Conclusion Genetic analysis of three unrelated families with ATM-related disorders discovered two novel pathogenic variants. A homozygous missense pathogenic variant was identified in a woman with bi-lateral breast cancer, and a synonymous but pathogenic variant was found in a family with a history of different cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir-Reza Dalal Amandi
- Animal Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Neda Jabbarpour
- Animal Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shadi Shiva
- Pediatric Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mortaza Bonyadi
- Animal Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
- Center of Excellence for Biodiversity, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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15
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Whitehouse W. Peripheral neuropathy in ataxia-telangiectasia: Newly characterized, has potential as a biomarker. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3643. [PMID: 37553836 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- William Whitehouse
- University of Nottingham-School of Medicine, E Floor East Block Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK
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16
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Theis M, Donath H, Woelke S, Bakhtiar S, Salzmann-Manrique E, Zielen S, Kieslich M. Peripheral polyneuropathy in children and young adults with ataxia-telangiectasia. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3842-3853. [PMID: 37540892 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare, autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder that leads to progressive neurodegeneration with cerebellar ataxia and peripheral polyneuropathy. Cerebellar neurodegeneration is well described in A-T. However, peripheral nervous system involvement is an underdiagnosed but important additional target for supportive and systemic therapies. The aim of this study was to conduct neurophysiological measurements to assess peripheral neurodegeneration and the development of age-dependent neuropathy in A-T. METHODS In this prospective study, 42 classical A-T patients were assessed. The motor and sensory nerve conduction of the median and tibial nerves was evaluated. Data were compared to published standard values and a healthy age- and gender-matched control group of 23 participants. Ataxia scores (Klockgether, Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia) were also assessed. RESULTS In A-T, neurophysiological assessment revealed neuropathic changes as early as the first year of life. Subjective symptomatology of neuropathy is rarely described. In the upper extremities, motor neuropathy was predominantly that of a demyelinating type and sensory neuropathy was predominantly that of a mixed type. In the lower extremities, motor and sensory neuropathy was predominantly that of a mixed type. We found significant correlations between age and the development of motor and sensory polyneuropathy in A-T compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In A-T, polyneuropathy occurs mostly subclinically as early as the first year of life. The current study of a large national A-T cohort demonstrates that development of neuropathy in A-T differs in the upper and lower extremities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Theis
- Department for Children and Adolescents, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Neurometabolics, and Prevention, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Helena Donath
- Department for Children and Adolescents, Division of Allergology, Pulmonology, and Cystic Fibrosis, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sandra Woelke
- Department for Children and Adolescents, Division of Allergology, Pulmonology, and Cystic Fibrosis, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Shahrzad Bakhtiar
- Department for Children and Adolescents, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Emilia Salzmann-Manrique
- Department for Children and Adolescents, Division for Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology, and Intensive Care Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stefan Zielen
- Department for Children and Adolescents, Division of Allergology, Pulmonology, and Cystic Fibrosis, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Matthias Kieslich
- Department for Children and Adolescents, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Neurometabolics, and Prevention, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
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17
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Chakraborty U, Chandra A, Dasgupta S. Eye in ataxia telangiectasia. BMJ Case Rep 2023; 16:e256865. [PMID: 37798038 PMCID: PMC10565231 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Uddalak Chakraborty
- Neurology, Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research Bangur Institute of Neurology, Kolkata, India
| | - Atanu Chandra
- Internal Medicine, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sugata Dasgupta
- Critical Care Medicine, RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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18
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van Eyk CL, Fahey MC, Gecz J. Redefining cerebral palsies as a diverse group of neurodevelopmental disorders with genetic aetiology. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:542-555. [PMID: 37537278 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00847-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral palsy is a clinical descriptor covering a diverse group of permanent, non-degenerative disorders of motor function. Around one-third of cases have now been shown to have an underlying genetic aetiology, with the genetic landscape overlapping with those of neurodevelopmental disorders including intellectual disability, epilepsy, speech and language disorders and autism. Here we review the current state of genomic testing in cerebral palsy, highlighting the benefits for personalized medicine and the imperative to consider aetiology during clinical diagnosis. With earlier clinical diagnosis now possible, we emphasize the opportunity for comprehensive and early genomic testing as a crucial component of the routine diagnostic work-up in people with cerebral palsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare L van Eyk
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael C Fahey
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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19
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Sun JKL, Wong GCN, Chow KHM. Cross-talk between DNA damage response and the central carbon metabolic network underlies selective vulnerability of Purkinje neurons in ataxia-telangiectasia. J Neurochem 2023; 166:654-677. [PMID: 37319113 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxia is often the first and irreversible outcome in the disease of ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), as a consequence of selective cerebellar Purkinje neuronal degeneration. A-T is an autosomal recessive disorder resulting from the loss-of-function mutations of the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated ATM gene. Over years of research, it now becomes clear that functional ATM-a serine/threonine kinase protein product of the ATM gene-plays critical roles in regulating both cellular DNA damage response and central carbon metabolic network in multiple subcellular locations. The key question arises is how cerebellar Purkinje neurons become selectively vulnerable when all other cell types in the brain are suffering from the very same defects in ATM function. This review intended to comprehensively elaborate the unexpected linkages between these two seemingly independent cellular functions and the regulatory roles of ATM involved, their integrated impacts on both physical and functional properties, hence the introduction of selective vulnerability to Purkinje neurons in the disease will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyne Ka-Li Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Genper Chi-Ngai Wong
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kim Hei-Man Chow
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Nexus of Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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20
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Sherwood K, Ward JC, Soriano I, Martin L, Campbell A, Rahbari R, Kafetzopoulos I, Sproul D, Green A, Sampson JR, Donaldson A, Ong KR, Heinimann K, Nielsen M, Thomas H, Latchford A, Palles C, Tomlinson I. Germline de novo mutations in families with Mendelian cancer syndromes caused by defects in DNA repair. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3636. [PMID: 37336879 PMCID: PMC10279637 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39248-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA repair defects underlie many cancer syndromes. We tested whether de novo germline mutations (DNMs) are increased in families with germline defects in polymerase proofreading or base excision repair. A parent with a single germline POLE or POLD1 mutation, or biallelic MUTYH mutations, had 3-4 fold increased DNMs over sex-matched controls. POLE had the largest effect. The DNMs carried mutational signatures of the appropriate DNA repair deficiency. No DNM increase occurred in offspring of MUTYH heterozygous parents. Parental DNA repair defects caused about 20-150 DNMs per child, additional to the ~60 found in controls, but almost all extra DNMs occurred in non-coding regions. No increase in post-zygotic mutations was detected, excepting a child with bi-allelic MUTYH mutations who was excluded from the main analysis; she had received chemotherapy and may have undergone oligoclonal haematopoiesis. Inherited DNA repair defects associated with base pair-level mutations increase DNMs, but phenotypic consequences appear unlikely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitty Sherwood
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genomics and Cancer, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Joseph C Ward
- Dept of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Ignacio Soriano
- Dept of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Lynn Martin
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham Medical School, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2JJ, UK
| | - Archie Campbell
- Centre for Genetics and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Raheleh Rahbari
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, UK
| | - Ioannis Kafetzopoulos
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genomics and Cancer, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Duncan Sproul
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genomics and Cancer, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Andrew Green
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Children's Health Ireland and School of Medicine University College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Julian R Sampson
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Alan Donaldson
- Bristol Regional Clinical Genetics Service, St Michael's Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol, BS2 8EG, UK
| | - Kai-Ren Ong
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Karl Heinimann
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, BS, Switzerland
| | - Maartje Nielsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Huw Thomas
- St Mark's Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, HA1 3UJ, UK
| | | | - Claire Palles
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham Medical School, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2JJ, UK.
| | - Ian Tomlinson
- Dept of Oncology, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
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21
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Hernandez-Martinez JM, Rosell R, Arrieta O. Somatic and germline ATM variants in non-small-cell lung cancer: Therapeutic implications. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2023:104058. [PMID: 37343657 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2023.104058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
ATM is an apical kinase of the DNA damage response involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Germline ATM variants (gATM) have been associated with an increased risk of developing lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), and approximately 9% of LUAD tumors harbor somatic ATM mutations (sATM). Biallelic carriers of pathogenic gATM exhibit a plethora of immunological abnormalities, but few studies have evaluated the contribution of immune dysfunction to lung cancer susceptibility. Indeed, little is known about the clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer patients with sATM or gATM alterations. The introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, and the increasing number of clinical trials evaluating treatment combinations, warrants a careful reexamination of the benefits and harms that different therapeutic approaches have had in lung cancer patients with sATM or gATM. This review will discuss the role of ATM in the pathogenesis of lung cancer, highlighting potential therapeutic approaches to manage ATM-deficient lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Manuel Hernandez-Martinez
- Thoracic Oncology Unit and Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de México (INCan); CONACYT-Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rafael Rosell
- Institut d'Investigació en Ciències Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; (4)Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain
| | - Oscar Arrieta
- Thoracic Oncology Unit and Experimental Oncology Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología de México (INCan).
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22
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Neves R, Perez BDD, Tindall T, Fernandez NS, Panek R, Wilne S, Suri M, Whitehouse W, Jagani S, Dandapani M, Dineen RA, Glazebrook C. Whole-body MRI for cancer surveillance in ataxia-telangiectasia: A qualitative study of the perspectives of people affected by A-T and their families. Health Expect 2023; 26:1358-1367. [PMID: 36929011 PMCID: PMC10154855 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a complex inherited disease associated with an increased risk of malignancy. Surveillance guidelines have demonstrated significant health benefits in other cancer predisposition syndromes. However, evidence-based guidelines for cancer screening are not currently used in the United Kingdom for people affected by A-T. This study aims to understand how people with A-T and their parents feel about cancer surveillance using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to inform the future development of cancer surveillance guidelines. DESIGN/METHODS We conducted semistructured interviews with people affected by A-T. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. RESULTS Nine parents of children with A-T and four adults with A-T were interviewed. Five main themes emerged from the data, including (1) cancer screening was considered invaluable with the perceived value of early detection highlighted; (2) the cancer fear can increase anxiety; (3) the perceived limitations around current practice, with the responsibility for monitoring falling too strongly on parents and patients; (4) the need for effective preparation for cancer screening, including clear communication and (5) the challenges associated with MRI screening, where specific recommendations were made for improving the child's experience. CONCLUSION This study suggests that stakeholders are positive about the perceived advantages of a cancer screening programme. Ongoing support and preparation techniques should be adopted to maximise adherence and minimise adverse psychosocial outcomes. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION People with A-T and parents of people with A-T were actively involved in this study by giving their consent to be interviewed. An independent parent representative contributed to the study, supporting the research team in interpreting and commenting on the appropriateness of the language used in this report.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Neves
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Department of Radiology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Blanca de Dios Perez
- Division of Rehabilitation, Ageing and Wellbeing, Centre for Rehabilitation and Ageing Research, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Tierney Tindall
- Mental Health and Division of Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Rafal Panek
- Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sophie Wilne
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mohnish Suri
- Nottingham Clinical Genetics Service, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - William Whitehouse
- Division of Child Health, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Sumit Jagani
- Department of Radiology, Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Madhumita Dandapani
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, Medical School, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Robert A Dineen
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Division of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, UK.,Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Cris Glazebrook
- Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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23
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Yilmaz Demirdag Y, Gupta S. Infections in DNA Repair Defects. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030440. [PMID: 36986362 PMCID: PMC10054915 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA repair defects are heterogenous conditions characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes. The common presentations of DNA repair defects include increased risk of cancer, accelerated aging, and defects in the development of various organs and systems. The immune system can be affected in a subset of these disorders leading to susceptibility to infections and autoimmunity. Infections in DNA repair defects may occur due to primary defects in T, B, or NK cells and other factors such as anatomic defects, neurologic disorders, or during chemotherapy. Consequently, the characteristics of the infections may vary from mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe, opportunistic, and even fatal infections with bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Here, infections in 15 rare and sporadic DNA repair defects that are associated with immunodeficiencies are discussed. Because of the rarity of some of these conditions, limited information is available regarding infectious complications.
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24
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Maguina M, Kang PB, Tsai AC, Pacak CA. Peripheral neuropathies associated with DNA repair disorders. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:101-110. [PMID: 36190439 PMCID: PMC10075233 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Repair of genomic DNA is a fundamental housekeeping process that quietly maintains the health of our genomes. The consequences of a genetic defect affecting a component of this delicate mechanism are quite harmful, characterized by a cascade of premature aging that injures a variety of organs, including the nervous system. One part of the nervous system that is impaired in certain DNA repair disorders is the peripheral nerve. Chronic motor, sensory, and sensorimotor polyneuropathies have all been observed in affected individuals, with specific physiologies associated with different categories of DNA repair disorders. Cockayne syndrome has classically been linked to demyelinating polyneuropathies, whereas xeroderma pigmentosum has long been associated with axonal polyneuropathies. Three additional recessive DNA repair disorders are associated with neuropathies, including trichothiodystrophy, Werner syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia. Although plausible biological explanations exist for why the peripheral nerves are specifically vulnerable to impairments of DNA repair, specific mechanisms such as oxidative stress remain largely unexplored in this context, and bear further study. It is also unclear why different DNA repair disorders manifest with different types of neuropathy, and why neuropathy is not universally present in those diseases. Longitudinal physiological monitoring of these neuropathies with serial electrodiagnostic studies may provide valuable noninvasive outcome data in the context of future natural history studies, and thus the responses of these neuropathies may become sentinel outcome measures for future clinical trials of treatments currently in development such as adeno-associated virus gene replacement therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Maguina
- Medical Education Program, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
| | - Peter B Kang
- Department of Neurology, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ang-Chen Tsai
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Christina A Pacak
- Department of Neurology, Paul and Sheila Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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25
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Liu ZJ, Wang YL, Xu Y. Two novel heterozygote mutations of ATM in a Chinese family with dystonia-dominant ataxia telangiectasia and literature review. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:975696. [PMID: 37009283 PMCID: PMC10050558 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.975696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is an autosomal recessive disorder with high clinical heterogeneity. A-T may present in complicated variable forms, including classic A-T and milder form of AT. Contrary to the classic A-T, the milder form does not present the cardinal features of A-T such as ataxia and telangiectasia. A few ATM mutations have been reported in variant A-T cases manifesting isolated generalized or segmental dystonia without any signs of classical A-T. Methods An A-T pedigree with predominant dystonia was collected. Genetic testing was performed by targeted panel of genes involved in movement disorders. The candidate variants were further confirmed by Sanger sequencing. We then reviewed previously published literatures of genetically confirmed A-T cases with predominant dystonia and summarized the clinical characteristics of dystonia-dominant A-T. Results Two novel ATM mutations, p.I2683T and p.S2860P, were identified in the family. The proband presented isolated segmental dystonia without any signs of ataxia and telangiectasias. We reviewed the literatures and found that the patients with dystonia-dominant A-T tend to have a later-onset and slower progression of the disease. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first report of A-T patient with predominant dystonia in China. Dystonia may appear as one of the predominant manifestations or initial symptom of A-T. Early ATM genetic testing should be considered for those patients with predominant dystonia, despite without accompanying ataxia or telangiectasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Jun Liu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya-Ling Wang
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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26
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McGlashan HL, Blanchard CV, Luscombe C, Prasad M, Chow G, Auer DP, Whitehouse WP, Dineen RA. Quality of life and neurological disability in children and young people with ataxia telangiectasia. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2022; 40:34-39. [PMID: 35932633 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM To explore neurological factors affecting quality of life (QoL) in children and young people with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T), from both child and parent perspective. METHOD 24 children/young people with A-T (mean age 11.2 ± 3.5 years; 13 males) and 20 parents were recruited, and 58% were reassessed after an average interval of 3.4 years. Participants completed the PedsQL QoL assessment. Participants with A-T underwent structured neurological examination. QoL data from 20 healthy controls and their parents was used for comparison. RESULTS Children/young people with A-T rated their QoL higher than parental ratings across time points, with no longitudinal change. Higher age of the child participant correlated with lower parental (r = -0.43, p = .008) but not child ratings of QoL (r = -0.16, p = .380). Child and parent QoL ratings from the A-T group were lower than respective ratings from controls (ηp2 = 0.44 and ηp2 = 0.75 respectively, both p < .0005, controlled for socioeconomic status). Parental, but not child, ratings of QoL was predicted by a regression model based on neurological scores (R2 = 0.44, p=<.001). INTERPRETATION Neurological disability does not determine child/young person QoL ratings in A-T. While certain aspects of neurological disability predict parent-proxy ratings, there is no decline in QoL over time. These results may reflect resilience in the face of a complex life-limiting disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah L McGlashan
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Surgical Treatment and Rehabilitation Service, Brisbane, Australia; Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
| | - Caroline V Blanchard
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Manish Prasad
- Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriel Chow
- Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Dorothee P Auer
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - William P Whitehouse
- Nottingham Children's Hospital, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Division of Child Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Rob A Dineen
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom; NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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27
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Szczawińska-Popłonyk A, Tąpolska-Jóźwiak K, Schwartzmann E, Pietrucha B. Infections and immune dysregulation in ataxia-telangiectasia children with hyper-IgM and non-hyper-IgM phenotypes: A single-center experience. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:972952. [PMID: 36340711 PMCID: PMC9631935 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.972952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a severe syndromic neurodegenerative inborn error of immunity characterized by DNA reparation defect, chromosomal instability, and hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation, thereby predisposing affected individuals to malignant transformation. While the leading disease symptomatology is associated with progressively debilitating cerebellar ataxia accompanied by central and peripheral nervous system dysfunctions, A-T is a multisystemic disorder manifesting with the heterogeneity of phenotypic features. These include airway and interstitial lung disease, chronic liver disease, endocrine abnormalities, and cutaneous and deep-organ granulomatosis. The impaired thymic T cell production, defective B cell development and antibody production, as well as bone marrow failure, contribute to a combined immunodeficiency predisposing to infectious complications, immune dysregulation, and organ-specific immunopathology, with the A-T hyper-IgM (HIGM) phenotype determining the more severe disease course. This study aimed to clarify the immunodeficiency and associated immune dysregulation as well as organ-specific immunopathology in children with A-T. We also sought to determine whether the hyper-IgM and non-hyper-IgM phenotypes play a discriminatory role and have prognostic significance in anticipating the clinical course and outcome of the disease. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of twelve A-T patients, aged from two to eighteen years. The patients' infectious history, organ-specific symptomatology, and immunological workup including serum alpha-fetoprotein, immunoglobulin isotypes, IgG subclasses, and lymphocyte compartments were examined. For further comparative analysis, all the subjects were divided into two groups, HIGM A-T and non-HIGM A-T. The clinical evaluation of the study group showed that recurrent respiratory tract infections due to viral and bacterial pathogens and a chronic obstructive airway disease along with impaired humoral immunity, in particular complete IgA deficiency, were noted in all the A-T patients, with both HIGM and non-HIGM phenotypes. The most important features with the discriminatory role between groups, were autoimmune disorders, observable four times more frequently in HIGM than in non-HIGM A-T. Two patients with the HIGM A-T phenotype were deceased due to liver failure and chronic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. It may therefore be assumed that the HIGM form of A-T is associated with more profound T cell dysfunction, defective immunoglobulin class switching, chronic EBV expansion, and poorer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Szczawińska-Popłonyk
- Department of Pediatric Pneumonology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Tąpolska-Jóźwiak
- Department of Pediatric Pneumonology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Institute of Pediatrics, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Eyal Schwartzmann
- Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Medical Student, Poznań, Poland
| | - Barbara Pietrucha
- Department of Immunology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
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