1
|
Alesi V, Genovese S, Roberti MC, Sallicandro E, Di Tommaso S, Loddo S, Orlando V, Pompili D, Calacci C, Mei V, Pisaneschi E, Faggiano MV, Morgia A, Mammì C, Astrea G, Battini R, Priolo M, Dentici ML, Milone R, Novelli A. Structural rearrangements as a recurrent pathogenic mechanism for SETBP1 haploinsufficiency. Hum Genomics 2024; 18:29. [PMID: 38520002 PMCID: PMC10960460 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00600-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal structural rearrangements consist of anomalies in genomic architecture that may or may not be associated with genetic material gain and loss. Evaluating the precise breakpoint is crucial from a diagnostic point of view, highlighting possible gene disruption and addressing to appropriate genotype-phenotype association. Structural rearrangements can either occur randomly within the genome or present with a recurrence, mainly due to peculiar genomic features of the surrounding regions. We report about three non-related individuals, harboring chromosomal structural rearrangements interrupting SETBP1, leading to gene haploinsufficiency. Two out of them resulted negative to Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA), being the rearrangement balanced at a microarray resolution. The third one, presenting with a complex three-chromosome rearrangement, had been previously diagnosed with SETBP1 haploinsufficiency due to a partial gene deletion at one of the chromosomal breakpoints. We thoroughly characterized the rearrangements by means of Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), providing details about the involved sequences and the underlying mechanisms. We propose structural variants as a recurrent event in SETBP1 haploinsufficiency, which may be overlooked by laboratory routine genomic analyses (CMA and Whole Exome Sequencing) or only partially determined when associated with genomic losses at breakpoints. We finally introduce a possible role of SETBP1 in a Noonan-like phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Alesi
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - S Genovese
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - M C Roberti
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - E Sallicandro
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - S Di Tommaso
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - S Loddo
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - V Orlando
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - D Pompili
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - C Calacci
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - V Mei
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - E Pisaneschi
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - M V Faggiano
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - A Morgia
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - C Mammì
- Operative Unit of Medical Genetics, Great Metropolitan Hospital of Reggio Calabria, 89100, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - G Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Priolo
- Operative Unit of Medical Genetics, Great Metropolitan Hospital of Reggio Calabria, 89100, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - M L Dentici
- Medical Genetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - R Milone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Novelli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Translational Cytogenomics Research Unit, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, IRCCS, 00146, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bartolini E, Cosottini M, Donatelli G, Tosetti M, Biagi L, Battini R, Guerrini R. Does 7T MRI reveal a neuronal bridge between periventricular heterotopia and overlying cortical malformations? Seizure 2022; 103:99-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
|
3
|
Del Franco A, Battini R, Kusmic C, Forini FS, L'Abbate S, Masotti S, Musetti V, Borrelli C, Barison A, Emdin M, Vergaro G. Cardiac involvement in creatine deficiency syndrome. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.2623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Previous reports have demonstrated electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities consistent with early-stage cardiomyopathy in patients with creatine transporter (CrT) deficiency, but cardiac involvement has never been accurately characterized.
Purpose
To investigate the cardiac phenotype associated with creatine deficiency in a murine transgenic model and in patients with creatine deficiency syndrome (CDS).
Methods
Wild type and transgenic CrT−/y mice (n=20) were serially evaluated in vivo by electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiography for six months, and ex vivo by histological and biochemical analyses. Nine patients with CDS (n=4 with L-arginine:glycine amidinotransferase - AGAT- deficiency, n=5 with CrT deficiency) underwent blood samples, including cardiac biomarkers, EKG, Holter monitoring, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).
Results
Compared to wild type, CRT−/y mice showed a prolongation of QT interval (p=0.008) (Fig. 1), as well as significant reduction in cardiac ATP production from mitochondria (p<0.001) (Fig. 2). No differences were detected in the left ventricular systolic function, in terms of ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain, along the whole follow-up. Similarly, 3 patients with CrT deficiency also showed a prolonged QTc interval (median QTc 515 ms), while other 2 had a borderline QTc at Holter monitoring, while no tachyarrhythmias could be observed. No subject had abnormal systolic and diastolic function. At CMR, an increase of native T1 value was reported in the 4 subjects (median 1076 ms) with AGAT deficiency, 1 with an increase of extracellular volume matching with the detection of late gadolinium enhancement. Finally, subjects with AGAT deficiency showed an increase level of plasma norepinephrine. Familiar carriers (3 for AGAT and 1 for CrT) showed no notable cardiac functional alterations, except for QTc prolongation in 2 subjects.
Conclusion
Prolonged QT interval is observed in the murine model and in subjects with CrT deficiency. Biohumoral signs of neurohormonal activation and an initial replacement fibrosis – the latter suggested by the increase of native T1 – are identified in subjects with AGAT deficiency, but their clinical significance remains to be determined.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - R Battini
- University of Pisa, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation , Pisa , Italy
| | - C Kusmic
- CNR – National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology , Pisa , Italy
| | - F S Forini
- CNR – National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology , Pisa , Italy
| | - S L'Abbate
- Scuola superiore sant'anna , Pisa , Italy
| | - S Masotti
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology and Cell Biology , Pisa , Italy
| | - V Musetti
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Laboratory of Cardiovascular Endocrinology and Cell Biology , Pisa , Italy
| | - C Borrelli
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology Department , Pisa , Italy
| | - A Barison
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology Department, MRI laboratory , Pisa , Italy
| | - M Emdin
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology Department , Pisa , Italy
| | - G Vergaro
- Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology Department , Pisa , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Del Franco A, Battini R, Kusmic C, Forini F, L‘ Abbate S, Masotti S, Musetti V, Barison A, Emdin M, Vergaro G. P241 CARDIAC INVOLVEMENT IN CREATINE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME. Eur Heart J Suppl 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/suac012.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Previous reports have demonstrated electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities consistent with early–stage cardiomyopathy, in patients with creatine transporter deficiency (CRT–D), but cardiac involvement has never been accurately characterized. Our aim was to widen the current knowledge of the cardiac phenotype associated with creatine deficiency in a murine transgenic model and in patients with creatine deficiency syndrome (CDS).
Methods
Wild type (n = 6) and transgenic CRT–/y mice (n = 6) were evaluated in vivo by electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiography for six months, and ex vivo by histological and biochemical analyses. Nine patients with CDS (4 with L–arginine:glycine amidinotransferase deficiency – AGAT–D, 5 with CRT–D) underwent blood samples, including cardiac biomarkers, EKG, Holter monitoring, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).
Results
Compared to wild–type, CRT–/y mice showed a prolongation of QT interval (p = 0.008) (Fig. 1), as well as a trend of reduction of mitochondrial function (Fig. 2). No differences were dected in the left ventricular systolic function, in terms of ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain, at different times. Aldosterone levels were also not different between the two groups. Three patients with CDS also showed a prolonged QTc interval (median QTc 515 ms), while other 3 had a borderline QTc at Holter monitoring, without tachyarrhythmias. No subject had abnormal systolic and diastolic function. At CMR, an increase of native T1 value was reported in 4 subjects (median 1076 ms), 1 with an increase of extracellular volume matching with the detection of late gadolinium enhancement. Finally, 7 subjects with CDS presented with biohumoral signs of neurohormonal activation (2 with elevated renin, 1 with increased aldosterone and 4 with increased norepinephrine levels). Familiar carriers (3 for AGAT–D and 1 for CRT–D) showed no notable cardiac functional alterations, except for QTc prolongation in 2 AGAT–D carriers.
Conclusion
Prolonged QT interval is observed in a murine model of CRT–D deficiency and in patients with CDS, in absence of an arrhythmic burden. No alterations in cardiac function were detected in the two setting, except for an increase of native T1 in patients with CDS suggesting an interstitial and replacement fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Del Franco
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - R Battini
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - C Kusmic
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - F Forini
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - S L‘ Abbate
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - S Masotti
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - V Musetti
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - A Barison
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - M Emdin
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| | - G Vergaro
- INSTITUTE OF LIFE SCIENCES, SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT’ANNA, PISA; DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROSCIENCE, IRCCS STELLA MARIS FOUNDATION, CALAMBRONE; CNR INSTITUTE OF CLINICAL PHYSIOLOGY, PISA; LABORATORY OF CARDIOVASCULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY, CNR–REGIONE TOSCANA, FOUNDATION, G. MONASTERIO AND SCUOLA SUPERIORE SANT‘ANNA, PISA; CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE AND CARDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT, FONDAZIONE
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Orman G, Kralik SF, Battini R, Buchignani B, Desai NK, Goetti R, Meoded A, Mitter C, Wallacher-Scholz B, Boltshauser E, Huisman TAGM. Neuroimaging Features of Ectopic Cerebellar Tissue: A Case Series Study of a Rare Entity. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:1167-1173. [PMID: 34255731 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Ectopic cerebellar tissue is a rare entity likely secondary to multiple, interacting, developmental errors during embryogenesis. Multiple sites of ectopic cerebellar tissue have been reported, including extracranial locations; however, an intracranial location is most common. We report on the MR imaging findings of a multi-institutional series of 7 ectopic cerebellar tissue cases (2 males, 4 females, 1 fetal) ranging from 22 weeks 5 days' gestational age to 18 years of age. All cases of ectopic cerebellar tissue were diagnosed incidentally, while imaging was performed for other causes. Ectopic cerebellar tissue was infratentorial in 6/7 patients and supratentorial in 1/7 patients. All infratentorial ectopic cerebellar tissue was connected with the brain stem or cerebellum. MR imaging signal intensity was identical to the cerebellar gray and white matter signal intensity on all MR imaging sequences in all cases. Ectopic cerebellar tissue should be considered in the differential diagnoses of extra-axial masses with signal characteristics similar to those of the cerebellum. Surgical biopsy or resection is rarely necessary, and in most cases, MR imaging is diagnostic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Orman
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - S F Kralik
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - R Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience (R.B.), Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (R.B., B.B.), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - B Buchignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (R.B., B.B.), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - N K Desai
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - R Goetti
- Department of Medical Imaging (R.G.), The Children's Hospital at Westmead, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - A Meoded
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - C Mitter
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (C.M.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - B Wallacher-Scholz
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine and LMU Center for Children with Medical Complexity (B.W.-S.), Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - E Boltshauser
- Department of Pediatric Neurology (E.B.), University Children's Hospital Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - T A G M Huisman
- From the Edward B. Singleton Department of Radiology (G.O., S.F.K., N.K.D., A.M., T.A.G.M.H.), Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Battini R, Lenzi S, Lucibello S, Chieffo D, Moriconi F, Cristofani P, Bulgheroni S, Cumbo F, Pane M, Baranello G, Alfieri P, Astrea G, Cioni G, Vicari S, Mercuri E. Longitudinal data of neuropsychological profile in a cohort of Duchenne muscular dystrophy boys without cognitive impairment. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:319-327. [PMID: 33658162 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to re-assess neuropsychological profile in a group of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy without intellectual disability and neuropsychiatric disorder three years apart from a previous evaluation, to establish possible changes over time. We were also interested in defining more in detail correlation between genotype and neuropsychological phenotype. Thirty-three of the previous 40 subjects (mean age at follow up: 10 years and 7 months) agreed to participate in the follow up study and to perform the new assessment. The results confirm a typical neuropsychological profile, with difficulty in the manipulation of stored information, poor abstract reasoning and planning capacity and impulsiveness, supporting the involvement of a cerebellar striatal cortical network for these children. The more detailed description of subgroups of subjects, according to the real expression of Dp140, let to reveal possible genotype-neuropsychological phenotype correlations, and a more general neuropsychological impairment emerged in boys without Dp140 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 341/ ABC, Calambrone, Pisa 56128, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi10, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - S Lenzi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 341/ ABC, Calambrone, Pisa 56128, Italy
| | - S Lucibello
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University and Nemo Center, Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8. Rome, Italy
| | - D Chieffo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University and Nemo Center, Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8. Rome, Italy
| | - F Moriconi
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University and Nemo Center, Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8. Rome, Italy
| | - P Cristofani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 341/ ABC, Calambrone, Pisa 56128, Italy
| | - S Bulgheroni
- Developmental Neurology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
| | - F Cumbo
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4. Rome 00165, Italy
| | - M Pane
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University and Nemo Center, Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8. Rome, Italy
| | - G Baranello
- Developmental Neurology Division, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Via Celoria 11, Milan, Italy
| | - P Alfieri
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4. Rome 00165, Italy
| | - G Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 341/ ABC, Calambrone, Pisa 56128, Italy
| | - G Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 341/ ABC, Calambrone, Pisa 56128, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - S Vicari
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neurological and Psychiatric Science, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza di Sant'Onofrio, 4. Rome 00165, Italy; Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Catholic University, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, Rome, Italy
| | - E Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University and Nemo Center, Policlinico Universitario Gemelli Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8. Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lucibello S, Verdolotti T, Giordano FM, Lapenta L, Infante A, Piludu F, Tartaglione T, Chieffo D, Colosimo C, Mercuri E, Battini R. Brain morphometry of preschool age children affected by autism spectrum disorder: Correlation with clinical findings. Clin Anat 2018; 32:143-150. [DOI: 10.1002/ca.23252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Lucibello
- Pediatric Neurology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
| | - T. Verdolotti
- Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
| | - F. M. Giordano
- Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
| | - L. Lapenta
- Pediatric Neurology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
| | - A. Infante
- Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
| | - F. Piludu
- Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
| | - T. Tartaglione
- Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
- Catholic University of Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - D. Chieffo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
| | - C. Colosimo
- Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
- Catholic University of Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - E. Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
- Catholic University of Sacred Heart; Rome Italy
| | - R. Battini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit; Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCSS; Rome Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Pisa; Pisa Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Battini R, Chieffo D, Bulgheroni S, Piccini G, Pecini C, Lucibello S, Lenzi S, Moriconi F, Pane M, Astrea G, Baranello G, Alfieri P, Vicari S, Riva D, Cioni G, Mercuri E. Cognitive profile in Duchenne muscular dystrophy boys without intellectual disability: The role of executive functions. Neuromuscul Disord 2017; 28:122-128. [PMID: 29305139 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our prospective observational study was to assess profiles of cognitive function and a possible impairment of executive functions in a cohort of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy without intellectual and behavior disability. Forty Duchenne boys (range of age: 6 years to 11 years and 6 months) were assessed by Wechsler Intelligence scale and battery of tests including tasks assessing working memory and executive functions (inhibition and switching, problem solving and planning). In our cohort some aspects of cognitive function were often impaired. These included multitasking, problem solving, inhibition and working memory necessary to plan and direct goal oriented behavior. Our results support the suggestion that aspects of cognitive function could be impaired even in boys without intellectual disability and support the hypothesis that executive functions may play an important role in specific aspects of cognitive impairment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Battini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, and Nemo Center, UCSC Rome, Italy; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone (Pisa), Italy
| | - D Chieffo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, and Nemo Center, UCSC Rome, Italy
| | - S Bulgheroni
- Developmental Neurology Division, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - G Piccini
- Unit of Child Neuropsichiatry, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - C Pecini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone (Pisa), Italy
| | - S Lucibello
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, and Nemo Center, UCSC Rome, Italy
| | - S Lenzi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone (Pisa), Italy
| | - F Moriconi
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, and Nemo Center, UCSC Rome, Italy
| | - M Pane
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, and Nemo Center, UCSC Rome, Italy
| | - G Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone (Pisa), Italy
| | - G Baranello
- Developmental Neurology Division, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - P Alfieri
- Unit of Child Neuropsichiatry, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - S Vicari
- Unit of Child Neuropsichiatry, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - D Riva
- Developmental Neurology Division, IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - G Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone (Pisa), Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - E Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, and Nemo Center, UCSC Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mercuri E, Pane M, Palermo C, D'amico A, Messina S, Battini R, Bruno C, Mongini T, Pegoraro E, D'Angelo G, Pini A, Gorni K, Baranello G, Bertini E, Sormani M. The 24-month performance of upper limb (PUL) scale: Changes and steroids correlation in DMD. Neuromuscul Disord 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2016.06.362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
10
|
Mercuri E, Coratti G, Messina S, Ricotti V, Baranello G, D'amico A, Pera M, Albamonte E, Palermo C, Sivo S, Mazzone E, Fanelli L, De Sanctis R, Vita G, Battini R, Bertini E, Muntoni F, Pane M. Revised North Star ambulatory assessment for young boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2016.06.361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
11
|
Tessa A, Battini R, Rubegni A, Storti E, Marini C, Galatolo D, Pasquariello R, Santorelli FM. Identification of mutations in AP4S1/SPG52 through next generation sequencing in three families. Eur J Neurol 2016; 23:1580-7. [PMID: 27444738 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The term hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) covers a spectrum of genetically heterogeneous disorders in which lower limb spasticity is the common clinical feature. Many patients with childhood-onset HSP are mistakenly diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS A group of as yet molecularly undiagnosed HSP patients were analyzed using SpastoPlex, a customized target re-sequencing panel able to investigate the coding regions of 72 genes linked to HSP, spastic ataxias or related motor diseases. RESULTS Our investigations identified loss-of-function mutations in AP4S1/SPG52 in four children (three families) who had previously received a diagnosis of diplegic/quadriplegic CP. The patients presented spastic paraparesis, mild facial dysmorphisms, moderate-to-severe intellectual disability and severe speech delay. Two patients manifested febrile seizures and childhood-onset focal seizures. In all the patients, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a peculiar hypoplastic posterior corpus callosum, often associated with ventriculomegaly, white matter loss and cerebral atrophy. CONCLUSION Adaptor protein 4 (AP-4) deficiency disorders should be suspected in children with spastic paraparesis, cognitive deficit and absent speech accompanied by suggestive MRI features. Seizures might be amongst the clinical manifestations of the syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Tessa
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Battini
- Child Neurology, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Rubegni
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - E Storti
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Marini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children's Hospital 'A. Meyer', University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - D Galatolo
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - F M Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy. .,Child Neurology, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Fiori S, Poretti A, Pannek K, Del Punta R, Pasquariello R, Tosetti M, Guzzetta A, Rose S, Cioni G, Battini R. Diffusion Tractography Biomarkers of Pediatric Cerebellar Hypoplasia/Atrophy: Preliminary Results Using Constrained Spherical Deconvolution. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2016; 37:917-23. [PMID: 26659337 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Advances in MR imaging modeling have improved the feasibility of reconstructing crossing fibers, with increasing benefits in delineating angulated tracts such as cerebellar tracts by using tractography. We hypothesized that constrained spherical deconvolution-based probabilistic tractography could successfully reconstruct cerebellar tracts in children with cerebellar hypoplasia/atrophy and that diffusion scalars of the reconstructed tracts could differentiate pontocerebellar hypoplasia, nonprogressive cerebellar hypoplasia, and progressive cerebellar atrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen children with cerebellar ataxia and pontocerebellar hypoplasia, nonprogressive cerebellar hypoplasia or progressive cerebellar atrophy and 7 controls were included in this study. Cerebellar and corticospinal tracts were reconstructed by using constrained spherical deconvolution. Scalar measures (fractional anisotropy and mean, axial and radial diffusivity) were calculated. A general linear model was used to determine differences among groups for diffusion MR imaging scalar measures, and post hoc pair-wise comparisons were performed. RESULTS Cerebellar and corticospinal tracts were successfully reconstructed in all subjects. Significant differences in diffusion MR imaging scalars were found among groups, with fractional anisotropy explaining the highest variability. All groups with cerebellar pathologies showed lower fractional anisotropy compared with controls, with the exception of cerebellar hypoplasia. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the feasibility of constrained spherical deconvolution to reconstruct cerebellar and corticospinal tracts in children with morphologic cerebellar pathologies. In addition, the preliminary results show the potential utility of quantitative analysis of scalars of the cerebellar white matter tracts in children with cerebellar pathologies such as cerebellar hypoplasia and atrophy. Further studies with larger cohorts of patients are needed to validate the clinical significance of our preliminary results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Fiori
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - A Poretti
- Section of Pediatric Neuroradiology (A.P.), Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - K Pannek
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (K.P., S.R.), Centre for Computational Informatics, Brisbane, Australia Department of Computing (K.P.), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - R Del Punta
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - R Pasquariello
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - M Tosetti
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - A Guzzetta
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.G., G.C.), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Rose
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (K.P., S.R.), Centre for Computational Informatics, Brisbane, Australia
| | - G Cioni
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.G., G.C.), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Battini
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Barone R, Carrozzi M, Parini R, Battini R, Martinelli D, Elia M, Spada M, Lilliu F, Ciana G, Burlina A, Leuzzi V, Leoni M, Sturiale L, Matthijs G, Jaeken J, Di Rocco M, Garozzo D, Fiumara A. A nationwide survey of PMM2-CDG in Italy: high frequency of a mild neurological variant associated with the L32R mutation. J Neurol 2014; 262:154-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00415-014-7549-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
|
14
|
Pane M, Palermo C, Sivo S, Mazzone E, Fanelli L, Sanctis RD, D’Amico A, Messina S, Politano L, Battini R, Pedemonte M, Pegoraro E, D’Angelo G, Pini A, Baranello G, Mercuri E. T.P.10. Neuromuscul Disord 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.06.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
15
|
Mazzone E, Pane M, Sivo S, Palermo C, Sormani M, Messina S, D’Amico A, Vita G, Fanelli L, Berardinelli A, Donati M, Baranello G, Battini R, Pegoraro E, Politano L, Bruno C, Comi G, Bertini E, Mercuri E. T.P.4. Neuromuscul Disord 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.06.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
16
|
Ganassi M, Badodi S, Polacchini A, Baruffaldi F, Battini R, Hughes SM, Hinits Y, Molinari S. Distinct functions of alternatively spliced isoforms encoded by zebrafish mef2ca and mef2cb. Biochim Biophys Acta 2014; 1839:559-70. [PMID: 24844180 PMCID: PMC4064114 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2014.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, an array of MEF2C proteins is generated by alternative splicing (AS), yet specific functions have not been ascribed to each isoform. Teleost fish possess two MEF2C paralogues, mef2ca and mef2cb. In zebrafish, the Mef2cs function to promote cardiomyogenic differentiation and myofibrillogenesis in nascent skeletal myofibers. We found that zebrafish mef2ca and mef2cb are alternatively spliced in the coding exons 4–6 region and these splice variants differ in their biological activity. Of the two, mef2ca is more abundantly expressed in developing skeletal muscle, its activity is tuned through zebrafish development by AS. By 24 hpf, we found the prevalent expression of the highly active full length protein in differentiated muscle in the somites. The splicing isoform of mef2ca that lacks exon 5 (mef2ca 4–6), encodes a protein that has 50% lower transcriptional activity, and is found mainly earlier in development, before muscle differentiation. mef2ca transcripts including exon 5 (mef2ca 4–5–6) are present early in the embryo. Over-expression of this isoform alters the expression of genes involved in early dorso-ventral patterning of the embryo such as chordin, nodal related 1 and goosecoid, and induces severe developmental defects. AS of mef2cb generates a long splicing isoform in the exon 5 region (Mef2cbL) that predominates during somitogenesis. Mef2cbL contains an evolutionarily conserved domain derived from exonization of a fragment of intron 5, which confers the ability to induce ectopic muscle in mesoderm upon over-expression of the protein. Taken together, the data show that AS is a significant regulator of Mef2c activity. mef2ca and mef2cb gene products are alternatively spliced in zebrafish. Inclusion of exon 5 in mef2ca transcripts is regulated during zebrafish development. Exon 5 confers on Mef2ca the ability to activate early patterning genes. Mef2cb includes an extra octapeptide encoded by a region of intron 5. Inclusion of the extra-octapeptide confers on Mef2cb pro-myogenic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Ganassi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Italy; Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - S Badodi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Italy
| | - A Polacchini
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Italy
| | - F Baruffaldi
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Italy
| | - R Battini
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Italy
| | - S M Hughes
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Y Hinits
- Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, SE1 1UL, UK.
| | - S Molinari
- University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Department of Life Sciences, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Canapicchi R, Tosetti M, Pasquariello R, Fiori S, Battini R, Cioni G. In Memoriam: Dr.ssa Anna Maria Valleriani. Neuroradiol J 2014. [DOI: 10.15274/nrj-2014-10015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R. Canapicchi
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - M. Tosetti
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - R. Pasquariello
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - S. Fiori
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - R. Battini
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - G. Cioni
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Mazzone E, Pane M, Fanelli L, De Sanctis R, Bianco F, Sivo S, D’Amico A, Messina S, Politano L, Battini R, Frosini S, Pedemonte M, Boffi P, Pegoraro E, Berardinelli A, D’Angelo G, Pini A, Iotti E, Baranello G, Morandi L, Mercuri E. P.2.3 Assessment of Upper Limb function in DMD patients: Comparison with normative data. Neuromuscul Disord 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2013.06.408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
19
|
Pane M, Mazzone E, Sormani M, Scalise R, Berardinelli A, Messina S, Torrente Y, D’Amico A, Doglio L, Viggiano E, D’Ambrosio P, Cavallaro F, Frosini S, Bello L, De Sanctis R, Fanelli L, Rolle E, Bianco F, Magri F, Vita G, Motta M, Donati M, Mongini T, Pini A, Battini R, Pegoraro E, Previtali S, Napolitano S, Bruno C, Politano L, Comi G, Bertini E, Mercuri E. P.2.7 6min walk test 12month changes in DMD: Correlation with genotype. Neuromuscul Disord 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2013.06.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
20
|
Mazzone E, Pane M, Scalise R, Sormani M, Torrente Y, Berardinelli A, Messina S, Cavallaro F, ′Amico AD, Doglio L, Bruno C, Politano L, Frosini S, Battini R, Bello L, Pegoraro E, Bonfiglio S, Comi G, Pini A, de Sanctis R, Bianco F, Vasco G, Mongini T, Donati M, Previtali S, Napolitano S, Vita G, Bertini E, Mercuri E. S.P.4 Functional changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A 24month longitudinal cohort study. Neuromuscul Disord 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2012.06.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
21
|
Pegoraro E, Bello L, Piva L, Barp A, Ermani M, Politano L, Mercuri E, Previtali S, Torrente Y, Bruno C, Minetti C, Berardinelli A, Comi G, D'Amico A, Soraru' G, Messina S, Mongini T, Bertini E, Ferlini A, Gualandi F, Battini R, Boffi P, Pane M, Vita G, Hoffman E, Angelini C. Osteopontin in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (S15.002). Neurology 2012. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.78.1_meetingabstracts.s15.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
22
|
Astrea G, Brisca G, Fiorillo C, Valle M, Tosetti M, Bruno C, Santorelli FM, Battini R. Muscle MRI in TRPV4-related congenital distal SMA. Neurology 2012; 78:364-5. [PMID: 22291064 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e318245295a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
23
|
Dati E, Valetto A, Bertini V, Chiocca E, Baroncelli GI, Battini R, Bertelloni S. 45,X maleness: clinical and cytogenetic features in two patients. Sex Dev 2012; 5:281-6. [PMID: 22327198 DOI: 10.1159/000335463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
45,X maleness is a very rare disorder. We report on 2 new 45,X males aged 9 10/12 and 39 years, respectively. The boy presented for developmental delay, while the man was referred to us because of infertility. Both patients showed short stature (boy -2.29 SDS, man -4.05 SDS) and an unbalanced translocation of Yp, including SRY, onto the long arm of chromosome 10 and short arm of chromosome 14, respectively. The growth pattern of the 2 patients and literature data suggest the presence of a specific growth gene in the pericentrometric region of Yq. In addition, developmental delay in some 45,X males may be related to specific deletion of telomeric autosome regions, but involvement of gene(s) on the Y chromosome may play a role as well. Albeit in the boy inhibin B levels were in the normal range for age, azoospermia was demonstrated in the adult, supporting that infertility is a feature of adult 45,X men with AZFa-c deletion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Dati
- Adolescent Medicine, I Pediatric Division, Gynecology and Pediatrics, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Cassandrini D, Trovato R, Pane M, D'Amico A, Comi G, Battini R, Fiorillo C, Santorelli F, Minetti C, Bruno C. P-5
Search for mutations in the RYR1 gene in Italian
patients with congenital myopathy. ACTA MYOLOGICA 2011. [PMCID: PMC3235850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M. Pane
- Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | | | - G. Comi
- Policlinico Maggiore, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - C. Bruno
- IRCCS "G. Gaslini", Genova, Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Fiorillo C, Moro F, Astrea G, Battini R, Gully C, Olschewski A, Auer-Grumbach M, Bruno C, F.M. Santorelli. P3.2 Novel mutation of TRPV4 in congenital distal SMA with vocal cord paralysis. Neuromuscul Disord 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2011.06.896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
26
|
Casarano M, Alessandrì MG, Salomons GS, Moretti E, Jakobs C, Gibson KM, Cioni G, Battini R. Efficacy of vigabatrin intervention in a mild phenotypic expression of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. JIMD Rep 2011; 2:119-23. [PMID: 23430864 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2011_60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Revised: 04/11/2011] [Accepted: 04/12/2011] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a patient with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency who presented a mild phenotype including developmental language delay, in association with the typical elevations of 4-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in biological fluids and MRI alterations. Two pathogenic mutations were identified one transversion (c.278 G>T) in exon 1 and another (c.1557 T>G) in exon 10. Both parents are carriers of one of the mutations, confirming compound-heterozygosity in their affected child. To reduce the GHB levels in body fluids, a treatment with vigabatrin at low dose (25 mg/kg per day) was started, monitoring its efficacy by clinical and neurochemical follow-up. After 9 months of therapy with vigabatrin, a significant reduction of GHB concentrations in urine and CSF was observed; after 36 months, a significant improvement of communicative skills, not previously reported, was referred. These results support the hypothesis that the clinical improvement is correlated to the reduction in the GHB levels and the importance of considering the SSADH deficiency in the differential diagnosis of patients with mental retardation and language delay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Casarano
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Via dei Giacinti 2, 56118, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mazzone E, Vasco G, Sormani MP, Torrente Y, Berardinelli A, Messina S, D'Amico A, Doglio L, Politano L, Cavallaro F, Frosini S, Bello L, Bonfiglio S, Zucchini E, De Sanctis R, Scutifero M, Bianco F, Rossi F, Motta MC, Sacco A, Donati MA, Mongini T, Pini A, Battini R, Pegoraro E, Pane M, Gasperini S, Previtali S, Napolitano S, Martinelli D, Bruno C, Vita G, Comi G, Bertini E, Mercuri E. Functional changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: A 12-month longitudinal cohort study. Neurology 2011; 77:250-6. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0b013e318225ab2e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
28
|
Battini R, Fogli A, Borghetti D, Michelucci A, Perazza S, Baldinotti F, Conidi ME, Ferreri MI, Simi P, Cioni G. Clinical and genetic findings in a series of Italian children with pure hereditary spastic paraplegia. Eur J Neurol 2011; 18:150-7. [PMID: 20550563 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03102.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive lower extremity spastic weakness. SPG7, SPG4 and SPG3A are some of the autosomal genes recently found as mutated in recessive or dominant forms of HSP in childhood. SPG31 is more often associated with a pure spastic paraplegia phenotype, but genotype-phenotype correlation is still unclear. The aims of the current study was: (i) to verify the mutational frequency of SPG4, SPG3A, SPG31 and SPG7 genes in our very-well-selected childhood sample, and (ii) to improve our knowledge about the clinical and electrophysiological HSP phenotypes and their possible correlation with a specific mutation. METHODS a sample of 14 Italian children affected by pure HSP (mean age at diagnosis 5.9 years) was extensively investigated with electrophysiological, neuroradiological and genetic tests. RESULTS three SPG4 mutations were identified in three patients: two novel missense mutations, both sporadic, and one multiexonic deletion already reported. A novel large deletion in SPG31 gene involving exons 2-5 was also detected in one young patient. No mutations in the SPG7 and in the SPG3A genes were found. CONCLUSIONS our data confirm that HSP represent a heterogeneous group of genetic neurodegenerative disorders, also in sporadic or autosomal recessive early onset forms. Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification-based mutation screening for SPG4 and SPG31 genes would be added to sequencing-based screening of SPG4, SPG31 and SPG3A genes in the routine diagnosis of HSP children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
Battini R, Chilosi AM, Casarano M, Moro F, Comparini A, Alessandrì MG, Leuzzi V, Tosetti M, Cioni G. Language disorder with mild intellectual disability in a child affected by a novel mutation of SLC6A8 gene. Mol Genet Metab 2011; 102:153-6. [PMID: 21144783 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2010] [Revised: 11/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We describe the clinical and molecular features of a child harboring a novel mutation in SLC6A8 gene in association with a milder phenotype than other creatine transporter (CT1) deficient patients (OMIM 300352) [1-7]. The mutation c.757 G>C p.G253R in exon 4 of SLC6A8 was hemizygous in the child, aged 6 years and 6 months, who showed mild intellectual disability with severe speech and language delay. His carrier mother had borderline intellectual functioning. Although the neurochemical and biochemical parameters were fully consistent with those reported in the literature for subjects with CT1 deficit, in our patient within a general cognitive disability, a discrepancy between nonverbal and verbal skills was observed, confirming the peculiar vulnerability of language development under brain Cr depletion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Calambrone, Via dei Giacinti 2, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Travaglini L, Brancati F, Attie-Bitach T, Audollent S, Bertini E, Kaplan J, Perrault I, Iannicelli M, Mancuso B, Rigoli L, Rozet JM, Swistun D, Tolentino J, Dallapiccola B, Gleeson JG, Valente EM, Zankl A, Leventer R, Grattan-Smith P, Janecke A, D'Hooghe M, Sznajer Y, Van Coster R, Demerleir L, Dias K, Moco C, Moreira A, Kim CA, Maegawa G, Petkovic D, Abdel-Salam GMH, Abdel-Aleem A, Zaki MS, Marti I, Quijano-Roy S, Sigaudy S, de Lonlay P, Romano S, Touraine R, Koenig M, Lagier-Tourenne C, Messer J, Collignon P, Wolf N, Philippi H, Kitsiou Tzeli S, Halldorsson S, Johannsdottir J, Ludvigsson P, Phadke SR, Udani V, Stuart B, Magee A, Lev D, Michelson M, Ben-Zeev B, Fischetto R, Benedicenti F, Stanzial F, Borgatti R, Accorsi P, Battaglia S, Fazzi E, Giordano L, Pinelli L, Boccone L, Bigoni S, Ferlini A, Donati MA, Caridi G, Divizia MT, Faravelli F, Ghiggeri G, Pessagno A, Briguglio M, Briuglia S, Salpietro CD, Tortorella G, Adami A, Castorina P, Lalatta F, Marra G, Riva D, Scelsa B, Spaccini L, Uziel G, Del Giudice E, Laverda AM, Ludwig K, Permunian A, Suppiej A, Signorini S, Uggetti C, Battini R, Di Giacomo M, Cilio MR, Di Sabato ML, Leuzzi V, Parisi P, Pollazzon M, Silengo M, De Vescovi R, Greco D, Romano C, Cazzagon M, Simonati A, Al-Tawari AA, Bastaki L, Mégarbané A, Sabolic Avramovska V, de Jong MM, Stromme P, Koul R, Rajab A, Azam M, Barbot C, Martorell Sampol L, Rodriguez B, Pascual-Castroviejo I, Teber S, Anlar B, Comu S, Karaca E, Kayserili H, Yüksel A, Akcakus M, Al Gazali L, Sztriha L, Nicholl D, Woods CG, Bennett C, Hurst J, Sheridan E, Barnicoat A, Hennekam R, Lees M, Blair E, Bernes S, Sanchez H, Clark AE, DeMarco E, Donahue C, Sherr E, Hahn J, Sanger TD, Gallager TE, Dobyns WB, Daugherty C, Krishnamoorthy KS, Sarco D, Walsh CA, McKanna T, Milisa J, Chung WK, De Vivo DC, Raynes H, Schubert R, Seward A, Brooks DG, Goldstein A, Caldwell J, Finsecke E, Maria BL, Holden K, Cruse RP, Swoboda KJ, Viskochil D. Expanding CEP290 mutational spectrum in ciliopathies. Am J Med Genet A 2009; 149A:2173-80. [PMID: 19764032 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ciliopathies are an expanding group of rare conditions characterized by multiorgan involvement, that are caused by mutations in genes encoding for proteins of the primary cilium or its apparatus. Among these genes, CEP290 bears an intriguing allelic spectrum, being commonly mutated in Joubert syndrome and related disorders (JSRD), Meckel syndrome (MKS), Senior-Loken syndrome and isolated Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Although these conditions are recessively inherited, in a subset of patients only one CEP290 mutation could be detected. To assess whether genomic rearrangements involving the CEP290 gene could represent a possible mutational mechanism in these cases, exon dosage analysis on genomic DNA was performed in two groups of CEP290 heterozygous patients, including five JSRD/MKS cases and four LCA, respectively. In one JSRD patient, we identified a large heterozygous deletion encompassing CEP290 C-terminus that resulted in marked reduction of mRNA expression. No copy number alterations were identified in the remaining probands. The present work expands the CEP290 genotypic spectrum to include multiexon deletions. Although this mechanism does not appear to be frequent, screening for genomic rearrangements should be considered in patients in whom a single CEP290 mutated allele was identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Travaglini
- CSS-Mendel Institute, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cardinale D, Salo-Ahen OMH, Guaitoli G, Ferrari S, Venturelli A, Franchini S, Battini R, Ponterini G, Wade RC, Costi MP. Design and characterization of a mutation outside the active site of human thymidylate synthase that affects ligand binding. Protein Eng Des Sel 2009; 23:81-9. [PMID: 19955218 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzp075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to its central role in DNA synthesis, human thymidylate synthase (hTS) is a well-established target for chemotherapeutic agents, such as fluoropyrimidines. The use of hTS inhibitors in cancer therapy is limited by their toxicity and the development of cellular drug resistance. Here, with the aim of shedding light on the structural role of the A-helix in fluoropyrimidine resistance, we have created a fluoropyrimidine-resistant mutant by making a single point mutation, Glu30Trp. We postulated that residue 30, which is located in the A-helix, close to but outside the enzyme active site, could have a long-range effect on inhibitor binding. The mutant shows 100 times lower specific activity with respect to the wild-type hTS and is resistant to the classical inhibitor, FdUMP, as shown by a 6-fold higher inhibition constant. Circular dichroism experiments show that the mutant is folded. The results of molecular modeling and simulation suggest that the Glu30Trp mutation gives rise to resistance by altering the hydrogen-bond network between residue 30 and the active site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Cardinale
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 183, 41100Modena, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Mazzone E, Messina S, Vasco G, Main M, Eagle M, D’Amico A, Bruno C, Politano L, Berardinelli A, Mongini T, Pini A, Battini R, Comi G, Pegoraro E, Morandi L, Villanova M, Vita G, Bertini E, Mercuri E. M.P.2.01 Reliability of the north star ambulatory assessment in a multicentric setting. Neuromuscul Disord 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2009.06.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
33
|
Astrea G, Schessl J, Clement E, Tosetti M, Mercuri E, Rutherford M, Cioni G, Bönnemann CG, Muntoni F, Battini R. Muscle MRI in FHL1-linked reducing body myopathy. Neuromuscul Disord 2009; 19:689-91. [PMID: 19616434 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2009.06.372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2009] [Revised: 06/09/2009] [Accepted: 06/16/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Reducing body myopathy is a rare progressive myopathy identified by characteristic pathological findings and secondary to dominantly acting mutations in the X-linked FHL1 gene. We report muscle MRI findings in two patients affected by reducing body myopathy and in their carrier mothers. All four showed a distinctive pattern of muscle alteration, with a predominant involvement of postero-medial muscle at thigh level and of soleus at calf level, with a striking sparing of glutei muscles that also appeared to be hypertrophic. These findings may help in the differential diagnosis of these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Monti MG, Pernecco L, Moruzzi MS, Battini R, Zaniol P, Barbiroli B. Effect of ELF Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Protein Kinase C Activation Process in HL-60 Leukemia Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.3109/15368379109031403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. G. Monti
- Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Via Campi, 287
| | - L. Pernecco
- Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Via Campi, 287
| | | | - R. Battini
- Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Via Campi, 287
| | - P. Zaniol
- Istituto di Radiologia, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100, Modena
| | - B. Barbiroli
- Cattedra di Biologia Molecolare, Via Foscolo 7, 40123, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Battini R, Monti MG, Moruzzi MS, Ferrari S, Zaniol P, Barbiroli B. Elf Electromagnetic Fields Affect Gene Expression of Hegenerating Rat Liver Following Partial Hepatectomy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.3109/15368379109031404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Battini
- Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Università di Modena, Via Campi 287, 41100, Modena
| | - M. G. Monti
- Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Università di Modena, Via Campi 287, 41100, Modena
| | - M. S. Moruzzi
- Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Università di Modena, Via Campi 287, 41100, Modena
| | - S. Ferrari
- Istituto di Chimica Biologica, Università di Modena, Via Campi 287, 41100, Modena
| | - P. Zaniol
- Istituto di Radiologia, Università di Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100, Modena
| | - B. Barbiroli
- Cattedra di Biologia Molecolare, Università di Bologna, Via Foscolo 7, 40123, Bologna, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Mazzone ES, Messina S, Vasco G, Main M, Eagle M, D'Amico A, Doglio L, Politano L, Cavallaro F, Frosini S, Bello L, Magri F, Corlatti A, Zucchini E, Brancalion B, Rossi F, Ferretti M, Motta MG, Cecio MR, Berardinelli A, Alfieri P, Mongini T, Pini A, Astrea G, Battini R, Comi G, Pegoraro E, Morandi L, Pane M, Angelini C, Bruno C, Villanova M, Vita G, Donati MA, Bertini E, Mercuri E. Reliability of the North Star Ambulatory Assessment in a multicentric setting. Neuromuscul Disord 2009; 19:458-61. [PMID: 19553120 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2009.06.368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2009] [Revised: 05/05/2009] [Accepted: 06/04/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of the North Star Ambulatory Assessment as a possible outcome measure in multicentric clinical trials. More specifically we wished to investigate the level of training needed for achieving a good interobserver reliability in a multicentric setting. The scale was specifically designed for ambulant children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and includes 17 items that are relevant for this cohort. Thirteen Italian centers participated in the study. In the first phase of the study we provided two training videos and an example of the scale performed on a child. After the first session of training, all the 13 examiners were asked to send a video with an assessment performed in their centre and to score all the videos collected. There were no difficulties in performing the items and in obtaining adequate videos with a hand held camera but the results showed a poor interobserver reliability (<.5). After a second training session with review and discussion of the videos previously scored, the same examiners were asked to score three new videos. The results of this session had an excellent interobserver reliability (.995). The level of agreement was maintained even when the same videos were rescored after a month, showing a significant intra-observer reliability (.95). Our results suggest that the NSAA is a test that can be easily performed, completed in 10 min and can be used in a multicentric setting, providing that adequate training is administered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E S Mazzone
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Strigini F, Valleriani A, Cecchi M, Ghirri P, Aiello C, Bertini E, Cioni G, Battini R. Prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging features in a fetus with Walker-Warburg syndrome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2009; 33:363-365. [PMID: 19222032 DOI: 10.1002/uog.6300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
|
38
|
Schessl J, Zou Y, McGrath MJ, Cowling BS, Maiti B, Chin SS, Sewry C, Battini R, Hu Y, Cottle DL, Rosenblatt M, Spruce L, Ganguly A, Kirschner J, Judkins AR, Golden JA, Goebel HH, Taratuto AL, Muntoni F, Flanigan KM, Mitchell CA, Bönnemann CG. Proteomic identification of the LIM domain protein FHL1 as the gene-product mutated in reducing body myopathy. KLIN NEUROPHYSIOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1216187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
39
|
Baroncelli G, Battini R, Bertelloni S, Brunori E, de Terlizzi F, Vierucci F, Cipriani P, Cioni G, Saggese G. 52 Assessment of Bone Mineral Status at Phalanges of the Hand by Morphological Analysis of Ultrasound Graphic Trace. J Clin Densitom 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocd.2008.07.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
40
|
Tiziano FD, Bertini E, Messina S, Angelozzi C, Pane M, D'Amico A, Alfieri P, Fiori S, Battini R, Berardinelli A, Boffi P, Bruno C, Cini C, Minetti C, Mongini T, Morandi L, Orcesi S, Pelliccioni M, Pini A, Villanova M, Vita G, Locatelli M, Mercuri E, Brahe C. The Hammersmith functional score correlates with the SMN2 copy number: a multicentric study. Neuromuscul Disord 2007; 17:400-3. [PMID: 17433677 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2007.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2006] [Revised: 02/06/2007] [Accepted: 02/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies showed that SMN2 copy number correlates inversely with the disease severity. Our aim was to evaluate SMN2 copy numbers and the Hammersmith functional motor scale in 87 patients with SMA II in order to establish whether, within SMAII, the number of copies correlates with the severity of functional impairment. Our results showed a relative variability of functional scores, but a significant correlation between the number of SMN2 genes and the level of function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F D Tiziano
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Bianchi MC, Tosetti M, Battini R, Leuzzi V, Alessandri' MG, Carducci C, Antonozzi I, Cioni G. Treatment monitoring of brain creatine deficiency syndromes: a 1H- and 31P-MR spectroscopy study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2007; 28:548-54. [PMID: 17353334 PMCID: PMC7977852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Brain creatine (Cr) deficiencies (BCr-d) are rare disorders of creatine biosynthesis and transport. We performed consecutive measures of total Cr (tCr) and of its phosphorylated fraction, phosphocreatine (PCr), in the brains of children affected by Cr synthesis defects during a long period of therapy. The aim was to identify the optimal treatment strategy for these disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two patients with guanidinoacetate methyltransferase defect (GAMT-d) were treated with different amounts of Cr and with diet restrictions aimed at reducing endogenous guanidinoacetate (GAA) synthesis. Three patients with arginine:glycine amidinotransferase defect (AGAT-d) were treated with different Cr intakes. The patients' treatments were monitored by means of (1)H- and (31)P-MR spectroscopy. RESULTS Cr and PCr replenishment was lower in GAMT-d than in AGAT-d even when GAMT-d therapy was carried out with a very high Cr intake. Cr and especially PCr replenishment became more efficient only when GAA blood values were reduced. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was increased in the baseline phosphorous spectrum of GAMT-d, and it returned to a normal value with treatment. Brain pH and brain P(i) showed no significant change in the AGAT-d syndrome and at any Cr intake. However, 1 of the 2 GAMT-d patients manifested a lower brain pH level while consuming the GAA-lowering diet. CONCLUSIONS AGAT-d treatment needs lower Cr intake than GAMT-d. Cr supplementation in GAMT-d treatment should include diet restrictions aimed at reducing GAA concentration in body fluids. (1)H- and especially (31)P-MR spectroscopy are the ideal tools for monitoring the therapy response to these disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Bianchi
- Department of Neuroradiology, Santa Chiara Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Mercuri E, Bertini E, Messina S, Solari A, D'Amico A, Angelozzi C, Battini R, Berardinelli A, Boffi P, Bruno C, Cini C, Colitto F, Kinali M, Minetti C, Mongini T, Morandi L, Neri G, Orcesi S, Pane M, Pelliccioni M, Pini A, Tiziano FD, Villanova M, Vita G, Brahe C. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of phenylbutyrate in spinal muscular atrophy. Neurology 2006; 68:51-5. [PMID: 17082463 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000249142.82285.d6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of phenylbutyrate (PB) in patients with spinal muscular atrophy in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 10 Italian centers. METHODS One hundred seven children were assigned to receive PB (500 mg/kg/day) or matching placebo on an intermittent regimen (7 days on/7 days off) for 13 weeks. The Hammersmith functional motor scale (primary outcome measure), myometry, and forced vital capacity were assessed at baseline and at weeks 5 and 13. RESULTS Between January and September 2004, 107 patients aged 30 to 154 months were enrolled. PB was well tolerated, with only one child withdrawing because of adverse events. Mean improvement in functional score was 0.60 in the PB arm and 0.73 in placebo arm (p = 0.70). Changes in the secondary endpoints were also similar in the two study arms. CONCLUSIONS Phenylbutyrate was not effective at the regimen, schedule, and duration used in this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Mercuri
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Catholic University, Largo Gemelli, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Tiziano F, Bertini E, Angelozzi C, Messina S, d’Amico A, Battini R, Berardinelli A, Boffi P, Bruno C, Morandi L, Pane M, Pini A, Villanova M, Mercuri E, Brahe C. N.P.2 01 Spinal muscular atrophy: correlation between the number of SMN2 genes and functional ability. Neuromuscul Disord 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2006.05.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
44
|
Guzzetta A, Mazzotti S, Tinelli F, Bancale A, Ferretti G, Battini R, Bartalena L, Boldrini A, Cioni G. Early assessment of visual information processing and neurological outcome in preterm infants. Neuropediatrics 2006; 37:278-85. [PMID: 17236106 DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-955929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Psychological tests based on visual information processing have shown to be promising in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome in infants at risk. In the present study we prospectively investigated the early development in a group of 20 high-risk preterm infants by means of i) the Fagan Test of Infant Intelligence at 7, 9, and 12 months postterm and ii) a detailed battery for the early assessment of visual functions at 6 and 10 months postterm. The results were then correlated to the Griffiths development scales at two years. At around 7 months no correlation was found in our infants between the Fagan test and neurodevelopmental outcome, possibly as a consequence of the influence of abnormal oculomotor behaviour. At around 9 months most of the visual abnormalities were no more present and the Fagan test was significantly correlated with the outcome. At 12 months postterm a decline of the predictive value of the FTII was observed. In conclusion, nine months postterm age appears to be the best age for the early assessment of neurodevelopmental outcome in high-risk preterm infants, as the maturation of the attentional and visual systems allows a more reliable evaluation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Mercuri E, Messina S, Battini R, Berardinelli A, Boffi P, Bono R, Bruno C, Carboni N, Cini C, Colitto F, D'Amico A, Minetti C, Mirabella M, Mongini T, Morandi L, Dlamini N, Orcesi S, Pelliccioni M, Pane M, Pini A, Swan AV, Villanova M, Vita G, Main M, Muntoni F, Bertini E. Reliability of the Hammersmith functional motor scale for spinal muscular atrophy in a multicentric study. Neuromuscul Disord 2006; 16:93-8. [PMID: 16427782 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2005.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2005] [Revised: 11/22/2005] [Accepted: 11/25/2005] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to validate the Hammersmith functional motor scale for children with spinal muscular atrophy in a large cohort of 90 non-ambulant children with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 or 3. All had a baseline assessment (T0) and were reassessed either at 3 months (T1) (n = 66) or at 6 months (T2) (n = 24). Inter-observer reliability, tested on 13 children among 3 examiners, was > 95%. Of the 66 children examined after 3 months 4 had adverse effects in between assessments and were excluded from the analysis. Forty-two (68%) of the remaining 62 reassessed had no variation in scores between T0 and T1 and 13 (21%) were within +/- 1 point. 9 (37.5%) of the 24 children reassessed after 6 months had no variation in scores between T0 and T2 and another 9 (37.5%) had variations within +/- 1 point. Our study confirms previous observations of the reliability of the scale and helps to establish a baseline for assessing changes of functional ability over 3 and 6 month intervals. This information can be valuable in view of therapeutic trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Mercuri
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Catholic University, Largo Gemelli, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Mercuri E, Messina S, Kinali M, Cini C, Longman C, Battini R, Cioni G, Muntoni F. Congenital form of spinal muscular atrophy predominantly affecting the lower limbs: a clinical and muscle MRI study. Neuromuscul Disord 2004; 14:125-9. [PMID: 14733958 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2003.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
We describe clinical and muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 11 cases (three familial and eight sporadic) with the form of spinal muscular atrophy characterised by predominant involvement of the lower limbs with weakness of the proximal and distal muscles and marked atrophy of the distal leg and foot muscles. All patients presented at birth with talipes, which were in extension in seven of the 11. Arm muscle and function were preserved and lower limbs appeared to be disproportionately shorter compared to trunk and upper limbs. Functional abilities were markedly affected and only one of the 11 is able to walk independently for long distances, while six require support of crutches and two use callipers for walking. One child lost ambulation following a fall. The course of the disease is relatively stable and the progression of disability appeared to be related mostly to increased contractures rather than to loss of muscle strength. Respiratory and cardiac function were well preserved. A neurogenic disorder was suggested by electromyography and/or muscle biopsy in all patients, while motor nerve conduction was consistently normal. Muscle MRI of the thighs revealed diffuse atrophic appearance with relative hypertrophy of the adductor longus and of the semitendinosus. Genetic studies excluded the involvement of the survival motor neuron gene but none of these families was sufficiently informative to study linkage to the locus on chromosome 12q23-q24 previously found to be involved in patients with similar phenotype. In our experience this form of spinal muscular atrophy affecting predominantly the lower limbs is a relatively common form and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants with talipes and weakness in the lower limbs. The identical clinical and imaging features of the sporadic and familial cases suggest that these cases are likely to be affected by the same condition.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Child
- Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12/genetics
- Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Gait Disorders, Neurologic/genetics
- Gait Disorders, Neurologic/pathology
- Gait Disorders, Neurologic/physiopathology
- Genetic Testing
- Humans
- Leg/pathology
- Leg/physiopathology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/congenital
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/diagnosis
- Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/physiopathology
- Mutation/genetics
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/deficiency
- Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins
- SMN Complex Proteins
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Mercuri
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London, W12 ONN, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
47
|
Item CB, Mercimek-Mahmutoglu S, Battini R, Edlinger-Horvat C, Stromberger C, Bodamer O, Mühl A, Vilaseca MA, Korall H, Stöckler-Ipsiroglu S. Characterization of seven novel mutations in seven patients with GAMT deficiency. Hum Mutat 2004; 23:524. [PMID: 15108290 DOI: 10.1002/humu.9238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency is an autosomal recessive error of creatine synthesis characterized by cerebral creatine deficiency, accumulation of guanidinoacetate, mental retardation, epilepsy and extrapyramidal signs. So far, six mutations have been identified in seven patients. We investigated seven new patients by screening the promoter, 3'UTR, and six exons and exon/intron boundaries using direct sequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The clinical and biochemical phenotype was characterized by scoring the degree of main clinical manifestations and by determination of urinary guanidinoacetate concentrations and of GAMT activity in fibroblasts / lymphoblasts, respectively. We identified 7 novel mutations, including c.64dupG (exon 1; 4/14 alleles); c.59G>C (exon 1; 3/14 alleles); c.491delG (exon 5; 2/14 alleles); c.160G>C (exon 1; 2/14 alleles); and c.152A>C (exon 1; 1/14 alleles); c.526dupG (exon 5; 1/14 alleles); c.521G>A (exon 5; 1/14 alleles), and two polymorphisms c.626C>T (exon 6) and c.459+71G>A (intron 4). Frameshift and missense mutations in exon 1 were prevalent in the 4 patients with the severe phenotype, however a clear genotype-phenotype correlation has not been established in the limited number of patients characterized so far.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C B Item
- Department of Pediatrics, and National Newborn Screening Laboratory, University Hospital and General Hospital of Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Aicardi-Goutières syndrome is a rare progressive encephalopathy characterized by acquired microcephaly, basal ganglia calcification, and chronic CSF lymphocytosis, raised levels of interferon alpha in CSF and plasma and chill-blain type lesions. A possible mechanism of injury is cytokine related microangiopathy. We report brain imaging and proton (1H) and phosphorus-31 (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings during the first year after birth in two patients. In patient 1 the evolution of brain metabolite ratios and intracellular pH obtained from serial 1H (long TE) and 31P MRS studies are described; in patient 2 a single 1H (short TE) MRS study is described. Imaging findings included basal ganglia calcifications, cerebral atrophy, and leukodystrophy. The MRS results demonstrated that Aicardi-Goutières syndrome is associated with reduced NAA/Cr, reflecting decreased neuronal/axonal density or viability, increased myo-inositol/Cr, reflecting gliosis or osmotic stress and a persisting brain lactic alkalosis. A brain lactic alkalosis has also been observed in those infants surviving perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia but with a poor neurodevelopmental outcome. A possible mechanism leading to brain alkalosis is up-regulation of the Na+/H+ transporter by focal areas of ischaemia related to the microangiopathy or by pro-inflammatory cytokines. Such brain alkalosis may be detrimental to cell survival and may increase glycolytic rate in astrocytes leading to an increased production of lactate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N J Robertson
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Battini R, Battaglia A, Bertini V, Cioni G, Parrini B, Rapalini E, Simi P, Tinelli F, Valetto A. Characterization of the phenotype and definition of the deletion in a new patient with ring chromosome 22. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 130A:196-9. [PMID: 15372517 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.30276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The clinical phenotype of patients with ring chromosome 22 includes mental retardation with severe language impairment, hypotonia, and dysmorphic facial features. In recent years an increasing number of patients with microscopic as well as cryptic terminal deletion involving band 22q13 have been described and their phenotype shows clinical features overlapping with patients with ring chromosome 22. Loss of DNA in the 22q13.3 region may lead to a clinically recognizable syndrome named "22q13.3 deletion syndrome." We report a patient with a ring chromosome 22 who has hypotonia, profound mental retardation, language impairment, dysmorphic features, and behavioral disorders. To check if the critical region responsible for "22q13.3 deletion syndrome" was absent in this ring, a fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using a probe corresponding to the ARSA locus was performed. In our patient, only one ARSA signal could be detected, indicating that the deletion encompassed the critical 22q13.3 region. A more detailed analysis of the deletion extent then was performed using a panel of fluorescent probes located within 22q13. These experiments allowed the identification of the breakpoint between CTA-299D3 and RP5-925J7 probe, located in 22q13.32. Deletion extent could be estimated to be about 2.5 Mb, and this larger deletion may explain the severity of clinical features observed in our patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Battini
- Stella Maris Clinical Research Institute for Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Calambrone, 56018 Calambrone Pisa, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Kleijer WJ, Garritsen VH, Linnebank M, Mooyer P, Huijmans JGM, Mustonen A, Simola KOJ, Arslan-Kirchner M, Battini R, Briones P, Cardo E, Mandel H, Tschiedel E, Wanders RJA, Koch HG. Clinical, enzymatic, and molecular genetic characterization of a biochemical variant type of argininosuccinic aciduria: prenatal and postnatal diagnosis in five unrelated families. J Inherit Metab Dis 2002; 25:399-410. [PMID: 12408190 DOI: 10.1023/a:1020108002877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
A biochemical variant of argininosuccinate lyase deficiency, found in five individuals, is introduced. In comparison to classical patients, the variant cases of argininosuccinate lyase deficiency were characterized by residual enzyme activity as measured by the incorporation of [14C]citrulline into proteins. The five patients of different ethnic backgrounds presented with relatively mild clinical symptoms, variable age of onset, marked argininosuccinic aciduria and severe, but not complete, deficiency of argininosuccinate lyase. [14C]Citrulline incorporation into proteins, which is completely blocked in classical argininosuccinic aciduria, was only partially reduced in fibroblasts of these patients. Further investigation showed that previous standard conditions of the assay were not optimal. Higher concentrations of citrulline in the incubation medium strongly stimulated 14C incorporation in normal cells, but not in the patients; as a result, the relative incorporation level in the patients dropped to 6-28% compared to 18-75% of normal in the original procedure. Prenatal diagnosis was successfully performed in three of the families. Affected pregnancies were indicated by (partial) deficiency of [14C]citrulline incorporation in chorionic villi and/or increased levels of argininosuccinate in amniotic fluid. Analysis of the ASL gene in the five patients revealed a considerable allelic heterogeneity. Three novel mutations--R385C (2 patients), V178M and R379C--were detected in homozygous states, whereas one patient was compound heterozygous for the known mutations R193Q and Q286R. In conclusion, there are patients of different ethnic backgrounds who are characterized by residual activity of argininosuccinate lyase and who present with less severe clinical courses. In addition, we present an improved biochemical assay for accurate prenatal and postnatal diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W J Kleijer
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|