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van der Laan L, Karimi K, Rooney K, Lauffer P, McConkey H, Caro P, Relator R, Levy MA, Bhai P, Mignot C, Keren B, Briuglia S, Sobering AK, Li D, Vissers LELM, Dingemans AJM, Valenzuela I, Verberne EA, Misra-Isrie M, Zwijnenburg PJG, Waisfisz Q, Alders M, Sailer S, Schaaf CP, Mannens MMAM, Sadikovic B, van Haelst MM, Henneman P. DNA methylation episignature, extension of the clinical features, and comparative epigenomic profiling of Hao-Fountain syndrome caused by variants in USP7. Genet Med 2024; 26:101050. [PMID: 38126281 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.101050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hao-Fountain syndrome (HAFOUS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic variants in USP7. HAFOUS is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, speech delay, behavioral abnormalities, autism spectrum disorder, seizures, hypogonadism, and mild dysmorphic features. We investigated the phenotype of 18 participants with HAFOUS and performed DNA methylation (DNAm) analysis, aiming to generate a diagnostic biomarker. Furthermore, we performed comparative analysis with known episignatures to gain more insight into the molecular pathophysiology of HAFOUS. METHODS We assessed genomic DNAm profiles of 18 individuals with pathogenic variants and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in USP7 to map and validate a specific episignature. The comparison between the USP7 cohort and 56 rare genetic disorders with earlier reported DNAm episignatures was performed with statistical and functional correlation. RESULTS We mapped a sensitive and specific DNAm episignature for pathogenic variants in USP7 and utilized this to reclassify the VUS. Comparative epigenomic analysis showed evidence of HAFOUS similarity to a number of other rare genetic episignature disorders. CONCLUSION We discovered a sensitive and specific DNAm episignature as a robust diagnostic biomarker for HAFOUS that enables VUS reclassification in USP7. We also expand the phenotypic spectrum of 9 new and 5 previously reported individuals with HAFOUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liselot van der Laan
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karim Karimi
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kathleen Rooney
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Lauffer
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Haley McConkey
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pilar Caro
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Raissa Relator
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael A Levy
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Pratibha Bhai
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cyril Mignot
- APHP Sorbonne Université, Département de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Hôpital Armand Trousseau, Paris, France AND Centre de Référence Déficiences Intellectuelles de Causes Rares, Paris, France
| | - Boris Keren
- APHP Sorbonne Université, Département de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Silvana Briuglia
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Andrew K Sobering
- AU/UGA Medical Partnership Campus of the Medical College of Georgia, Athens, Georgia; Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation, True Blue, St. George's, Grenada; St. George's University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Grenada
| | - Dong Li
- Center for Applied Genomics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman school of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lisenka E L M Vissers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Irene Valenzuela
- Àrea de Genètica Clínica i Malalties Minoritàries, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eline A Verberne
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mala Misra-Isrie
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Petra J G Zwijnenburg
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Quinten Waisfisz
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariëlle Alders
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Sailer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Marcel M A M Mannens
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bekim Sadikovic
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Science Centre, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Mieke M van Haelst
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Henneman
- Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Zhuang X, Martin TA, Ruge F, Zeng J(J, Li X(A, Khan E, Dou Q, Davies E, Jiang WG. Expression of Claudin-9 (CLDN9) in Breast Cancer, the Clinical Significance in Connection with Its Subcoat Anchorage Proteins ZO-1 and ZO-3 and Impact on Drug Resistance. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3136. [PMID: 38137355 PMCID: PMC10740911 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Introduction: Claudin-9 (CLDN9) is a member of the claudin protein family, a critical transmembrane protein family for tight junctions that are implemented in the progression of numerous cancer types. The present study investigated the role that CLDN9, along with the subcoat proteins, Zonula Occludens (ZOs), plays in clinical breast cancer and subsequent impact on drug response of patients. (2) Methods: CLDN9 protein and CLDN9 transcript were determined and correlated with clinical and pathological indicators, together with the status of hormonal receptors. The levels of CLDN9 transcript were also assessed against the therapeutic responses of the patients to chemotherapies by using a dataset from the TCGA database. Breast cancer cell models, representing different molecular subtypes of breast cancer, with differential expression of CLDN9 were created and used to assess the biological impact and response to chemotherapeutic drugs. (3) Results: Breast cancer tissues expressed significantly higher levels of the CLDN9, with the high levels being associated with shorter survival. CLDN9 was significantly correlated with its anchorage proteins ZO-1 and ZO-3. Integrated expression of CLDN9, ZO-1 and ZO-3 formed a signature that was significantly linked to overall survival (OS) (p = 0.013) and relapse-free survival (RFS) (p = 0.024) in an independent matter. CLDN9 transcript was significantly higher in patients who were resistant to chemotherapies (p < 0.000001). CLDN9 connection to chemoresistance was particularly prominent in patients of ER-positive (ER(+)), Her-2-negative((Her-2(-)), ER(+)/Her-2(-) and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), but not in patients with HER-2-positive tumors. In Her-2-negative MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, loss of CLDN9 significantly increased sensitivity to several chemotherapeutic drugs including paclitaxel, gemcitabine and methotrexate, which was not seen in Her-2(+) SKBR3 cells. However, suppressing Her-2 using neratinib, a permanent Her-2 inhibitor, sensitized cellular response to these chemodrugs in cells with CLDN9 knockdown. (4) Conclusions: CLDN9 is an important prognostic indicator for patients with breast cancer and also a pivotal factor in assessing patient responses to chemotherapies. Her-2 is a negating factor for the treatment response prediction value by CLDN9 and negating Her-2 and CLDN9 may enhance breast cancer cellular response to chemotherapeutic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinguo Zhuang
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (X.L.); or (Q.D.)
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China
| | - Tracey A. Martin
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (X.L.); or (Q.D.)
| | - Fiona Ruge
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (X.L.); or (Q.D.)
| | - Jianyuan (Jimmy) Zeng
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (X.L.); or (Q.D.)
| | - Xinyu (Amber) Li
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (X.L.); or (Q.D.)
| | - Elyas Khan
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - Qingping Dou
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (X.L.); or (Q.D.)
- Karmanos Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA;
| | - Eleri Davies
- Wales Breast Centre, University Llandough Hospital, Cardiff and Vales University Health Board, Cardiff CF64 2XX, UK;
| | - Wen G. Jiang
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; (X.Z.); (T.A.M.); (F.R.); (X.L.); or (Q.D.)
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Hashimoto Y, Greene C, Munnich A, Campbell M. The CLDN5 gene at the blood-brain barrier in health and disease. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:22. [PMID: 36978081 PMCID: PMC10044825 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00424-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The CLDN5 gene encodes claudin-5 (CLDN-5) that is expressed in endothelial cells and forms tight junctions which limit the passive diffusions of ions and solutes. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells and associated pericytes and end-feet of astrocytes, is a physical and biological barrier to maintain the brain microenvironment. The expression of CLDN-5 is tightly regulated in the BBB by other junctional proteins in endothelial cells and by supports from pericytes and astrocytes. The most recent literature clearly shows a compromised BBB with a decline in CLDN-5 expression increasing the risks of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, epilepsy, brain calcification and dementia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the known diseases associated with CLDN-5 expression and function. In the first part of this review, we highlight the recent understanding of how other junctional proteins as well as pericytes and astrocytes maintain CLDN-5 expression in brain endothelial cells. We detail some drugs that can enhance these supports and are being developed or currently in use to treat diseases associated with CLDN-5 decline. We then summarise mutagenesis-based studies which have facilitated a better understanding of the physiological role of the CLDN-5 protein at the BBB and have demonstrated the functional consequences of a recently identified pathogenic CLDN-5 missense mutation from patients with alternating hemiplegia of childhood. This mutation is the first gain-of-function mutation identified in the CLDN gene family with all others representing loss-of-function mutations resulting in mis-localization of CLDN protein and/or attenuated barrier function. Finally, we summarize recent reports about the dosage-dependent effect of CLDN-5 expression on the development of neurological diseases in mice and discuss what cellular supports for CLDN-5 regulation are compromised in the BBB in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Hashimoto
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland.
| | - Chris Greene
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland
| | - Arnold Munnich
- Institut Imagine, INSERM UMR1163, Université Paris Cité, Paris, F-75015, France
- Departments of Pediatric Neurology and Medical Genetics, Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, Université Paris Cité, Paris, F-75015, France
| | - Matthew Campbell
- Trinity College Dublin, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Dublin, D02 VF25, Ireland.
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Higashi T, Saito AC, Fukazawa Y, Furuse M, Higashi AY, Ono M, Chiba H. EpCAM proteolysis and release of complexed claudin-7 repair and maintain the tight junction barrier. J Cell Biol 2022; 222:213688. [PMID: 36378161 PMCID: PMC9671161 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202204079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
TJs maintain the epithelial barrier by regulating paracellular permeability. Since TJs are under dynamically fluctuating intercellular tension, cells must continuously survey and repair any damage. However, the underlying mechanisms allowing cells to sense TJ damage and repair the barrier are not yet fully understood. Here, we showed that proteinases play an important role in the maintenance of the epithelial barrier. At TJ break sites, EpCAM-claudin-7 complexes on the basolateral membrane become accessible to apical membrane-anchored serine proteinases (MASPs) and the MASPs cleave EpCAM. Biochemical data and imaging analysis suggest that claudin-7 released from EpCAM contributes to the rapid repair of damaged TJs. Knockout (KO) of MASPs drastically reduced barrier function and live-imaging of TJ permeability showed that MASPs-KO cells exhibited increased size, duration, and frequency of leaks. Together, our results reveal a novel mechanism of TJ maintenance through the localized proteolysis of EpCAM at TJ leaks, and provide a better understanding of the dynamic regulation of epithelial permeability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohito Higashi
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan,Correspondence to Tomohito Higashi:
| | - Akira C. Saito
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yugo Fukazawa
- Division of Brain Structure and Function, Faculty of Medical Science, Life Science Innovation Center, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Mikio Furuse
- Division of Cell Structure, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan,Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Life Science, SOKENDAI (Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
| | - Atsuko Y. Higashi
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ono
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hideki Chiba
- Department of Basic Pathology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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Lee SY, Soon Yoo H, Hee Han J, Hee Lee D, Soo Park S, Hwan Suh M, Ho Lee J, Oh SH, Choi BY. Novel Molecular Genetic Etiology of Asymmetric Hearing Loss: Autosomal-Dominant LMX1A Variants. Ear Hear 2022; 43:1698-1707. [PMID: 35711095 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder in humans. Genetic analyses have greatly increased our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms in play. Thus, characterization of audiologic phenotypes by the genetic etiology may aid elucidation of the etiologies of certain types of inherited hearing loss. Further, delineation of specific audiologic phenotypes based on the genetic etiology aids our understanding of some types of inherited hearing loss in terms of the prediction of clinical course, revelation of genotype-phenotype correlations, and application of appropriate audiologic rehabilitation. Here, we describe the interesting audiologic characteristics of LMX1A -associated deafness, which revealed significant asymmetry between two ears. METHODS Among 728 probands of which genomic DNA went through exome sequencing regardless of any specific audiologic phenotypes, probands for which exome sequencing was performed and a causative LMX1A variant was found were all included. Five LMX1A -associated DFNA7 families (approximately 0.7%), the pedigrees of whom indicated autosomal-dominant hearing loss, were identified, and segregation was studied using Sanger sequencing. The affected individuals underwent comprehensive evaluations, including medical history reviews, physical examinations, imaging, and auditory phenotyping. We functionally characterized the novel LMX1A variants via computational structural modeling and luciferase reporter assays. RESULTS Among 728 probands of which genomic DNA went through exome sequencing, we identified four novel LMX1A heterozygous variants related to DFNA7 (c.622C>T:p.Arg208*, c.719A>G:p.Gln240Arg, c.721G>A:p.Val241Met, and c.887dup:p.Gln297Thrfs*41) and one harboring a de novo heterozygous missense LMX1A variant (c.595A>G;p.Arg199Gly) previously reported. It is important to note that asymmetric hearing loss was identified in all probands and most affected individuals, although the extent of asymmetry varied. Structural modeling revealed that the two missense variants, p.Gln240Arg and p.Val241Met, affected conserved residues of the homeodomain, thus attenuating LMX1A-DNA interaction. In addition, Arg208*-induced premature termination of translation destroyed the structure of the LMX1A protein, including the DNA-binding homeodomain, and p.Gln297Thrfs*41 led to the loss of the C-terminal helix involved in LIM2 domain interaction. Compared with the wild-type protein, all mutant LMX1A proteins had significantly reduced transactivation efficiency, indicating that the ability to elicit transcription of the downstream target genes of LMX1A was severely compromised. Thus, in line with the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guideline specified to genetic hearing loss, the four novel LMX1A variants were identified as "pathogenic" (p.Arg208* and p.Gln297Thrfs*41), "likely pathogenic" (p.Val241Met), and as a "variant of uncertain significance'' (p.Gln240Arg). CONCLUSION For the first time, we suggest that LMX1A is one of the candidate genes which, if altered, could be associated with dominantly inherited asymmetric hearing loss. We also expand the genotypic spectrum of disease-causing variants of LMX1A causing DFNA7 by doubling the number of LMX1A variants reported thus far in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Yeon Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyo Soon Yoo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Hee Han
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dae Hee Lee
- CTCELLS, Inc., Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sang Soo Park
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Myung Hwan Suh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jun Ho Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung-Ha Oh
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Sensory Organ Research Institute, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Byung Yoon Choi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea
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