[Clinical and genetic characteristics of the X chromosome distal long arm microduplications encompassing the MECP2 gene]

IRAK1 Duplication in MECP2 Duplication Syndrome Does Not Increase Canonical NF-κB-Induced Inflammation

PURPOSE

Besides their developmental and neurological phenotype, most patients with MECP2/IRAK1 duplication syndrome present with recurrent and severe infections, accompanied by strong inflammation. Respiratory infections are the most common cause of death. Standardized pneumological diagnostics, targeted anti-infectious treatment, and knowledge of the underlying pathomechanism that triggers strong inflammation are unmet clinical needs. We investigated the influence of IRAK1 overexpression on the canonical NF-κB signaling as a possible cause for excessive inflammation in these patients.

METHODS

NF-κB signaling was examined by measuring the production of proinflammatory cytokines and evaluating the IRAK1 phosphorylation and degradation as well as the IκBα degradation upon stimulation with IL-1β and TLR agonists in SV40-immortalized fibroblasts, PBMCs, and whole blood of 9 patients with MECP2/IRAK1 duplication syndrome, respectively.

RESULTS

Both, MECP2/IRAK1-duplicated patients and healthy controls, showed similar production of IL-6 and IL-8 upon activation with IL-1β and TLR2/6 agonists in immortalized fibroblasts. In PBMCs and whole blood, both patients and controls had a similar response of cytokine production after stimulation with IL-1β and TLR4/2/6 agonists. Patients and controls had equivalent patterns of IRAK1 phosphorylation and degradation as well as IκBα degradation upon stimulation with IL-1β.

CONCLUSION

Patients with MECP2/IRAK1 duplication syndrome do not show increased canonical NF-κB signaling in immortalized fibroblasts, PBMCs, and whole blood. Therefore, we assume that these patients do not benefit from a therapeutic suppression of this pathway.

VIII World Rett Syndrome Congress & Symposium of rare diseases, Kazan, Russia

BACKGROUND

VIII World Rett Syndrome Congress & Symposium of Rare Diseases was held in Kazan, Russia from 13 to 17 May 2016. Although it has been a while since the event, specific problems highlighted by the contributors to the scientific program have stood the test of time. The Symposium of Rare Diseases has shown that studying Rett syndrome provides clues on molecular and cellular mechanisms for a variety of rare genetic/genomic disorders. Moreover, rare diseases associated with Rett-syndrome-like phenotype or MECP2 mutations/copy number variations have been thoroughly covered by a number of contributors. In this respect, we have found that a review dedicated to the scientific program of the VIII World Rett Syndrome Congress & Symposium of Rare Diseases could be an important addition to current literature.

CONCLUSION

Taking the opportunity to review the World Rett Syndrome Congress & Symposium of Rare Diseases at Kazan, we have made an attempt to describe a number of achievements and developments in the field of studying Rett syndrome and rare diseases in Russia. Furthermore, chromosomal abnormalities/disorders have been considered in the rare disease context. Such approach to chromosomal abnormalities/disorders has been found to be rather new for an appreciable part of international researchers and health care providers. We do hope that this congress review may be helpful not only for those who are interested in local development of research and management of rare genetic disorders, but also for international researchers and clinical community of rare disease specialists.