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Miyagishima KJ, Qiao F, Stasheff SF, Nadal-Nicolás FM. Visual Deficits and Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies for Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Bridging Science and Patient-Centered Care. Vision (Basel) 2024; 8:31. [PMID: 38804352 PMCID: PMC11130890 DOI: 10.3390/vision8020031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder primarily affecting children and adolescents characterized by multisystemic clinical manifestations. Mutations in neurofibromin, the protein encoded by the Nf1 tumor suppressor gene, result in dysregulation of the RAS/MAPK pathway leading to uncontrolled cell growth and migration. Neurofibromin is highly expressed in several cell lineages including melanocytes, glial cells, neurons, and Schwann cells. Individuals with NF1 possess a genetic predisposition to central nervous system neoplasms, particularly gliomas affecting the visual pathway, known as optic pathway gliomas (OPGs). While OPGs are typically asymptomatic and benign, they can induce visual impairment in some patients. This review provides insight into the spectrum and visual outcomes of NF1, current diagnostic techniques and therapeutic interventions, and explores the influence of NF1-OPGS on visual abnormalities. We focus on recent advancements in preclinical animal models to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of NF1 pathology and therapies targeting NF1-OPGs. Overall, our review highlights the involvement of retinal ganglion cell dysfunction and degeneration in NF1 disease, and the need for further research to transform scientific laboratory discoveries to improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoharu J. Miyagishima
- Retinal Neurophysiology Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.J.M.); (F.Q.); (S.F.S.)
| | - Fengyu Qiao
- Retinal Neurophysiology Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.J.M.); (F.Q.); (S.F.S.)
| | - Steven F. Stasheff
- Retinal Neurophysiology Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.J.M.); (F.Q.); (S.F.S.)
- Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine, Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Institute, Children’s National Health System, Washington, DC 20010, USA
- Neurology Department, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Francisco M. Nadal-Nicolás
- Retinal Neurophysiology Section, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.J.M.); (F.Q.); (S.F.S.)
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Atsoniou K, Giannopoulou E, Georganta EM, Skoulakis EMC. Drosophila Contributions towards Understanding Neurofibromatosis 1. Cells 2024; 13:721. [PMID: 38667335 PMCID: PMC11048932 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a multisymptomatic disorder with highly variable presentations, which include short stature, susceptibility to formation of the characteristic benign tumors known as neurofibromas, intense freckling and skin discoloration, and cognitive deficits, which characterize most children with the condition. Attention deficits and Autism Spectrum manifestations augment the compromised learning presented by most patients, leading to behavioral problems and school failure, while fragmented sleep contributes to chronic fatigue and poor quality of life. Neurofibromin (Nf1) is present ubiquitously during human development and postnatally in most neuronal, oligodendrocyte, and Schwann cells. Evidence largely from animal models including Drosophila suggests that the symptomatic variability may reflect distinct cell-type-specific functions of the protein, which emerge upon its loss, or mutations affecting the different functional domains of the protein. This review summarizes the contributions of Drosophila in modeling multiple NF1 manifestations, addressing hypotheses regarding the cell-type-specific functions of the protein and exploring the molecular pathways affected upon loss of the highly conserved fly homolog dNf1. Collectively, work in this model not only has efficiently and expediently modelled multiple aspects of the condition and increased understanding of its behavioral manifestations, but also has led to pharmaceutical strategies towards their amelioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Atsoniou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Giannopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Eirini-Maria Georganta
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Efthimios M. C. Skoulakis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Athens, Greece; (K.A.); (E.G.)
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Zhu B, Zheng T, Wang W, Gu Y, Wei C, Li Q, Wang Z. Genotype-phenotype correlations of neurofibromatosis type 1: a cross-sectional study from a large Chinese cohort. J Neurol 2024; 271:1893-1900. [PMID: 38095723 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12127-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a highly heterogeneous autosomal genetic disorder characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical and molecular manifestations. The correlations between genotype and phenotype in NF1 remain elusive. This study aimed to elucidate genotype-phenotype associations in a large Chinese cohort of NF1 patients. METHODS We included NF1 patients from our center who underwent genetic testing for NF1 variants and systemic examination. Genotype-phenotype correlation analyses were performed, focusing on variation types and involved neurofibromin domains. RESULTS A total of 195 patients were enrolled, comprising 105 males and 90 females, with a median age of 18 years. Truncating variants, single amino acid variations, and splicing variants accounted for 139/195 (71.3%), 23/195 (11.8%), and 33/195 (16.9%), respectively. Patients with splicing variants exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of spinal plexiform neurofibromas (spinal PNF) than those with truncating variants (76.4% vs. 51.8%; p = 0.022). Variations affecting the PKC domain were associated with higher rates of cutaneous neurofibromas (CNF) (100% vs. 64.9%, p < 0.001), Lisch nodules (100% vs. 61.2%, p < 0.001), plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) (100% vs. 95.7%, p = 0.009), and psychiatric disorders (11.8% vs. 1.6%, p = 0.042). Patients with mutations in the CSRD had an elevated risk of secondary primary malignancies (11.6% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.015). GRD involvement might enhance the risk of Lisch nodules (76.9% vs. 53.7%, p = 0.044). Variations in the Sec14-PH domain were correlated with a higher rate of CNF (76.8% vs. 58.6%, p = 0.014). Additionally, we found that the p.R1748* variants carry a high risk of malignancy. CONCLUSION Our study suggested some novel genotype-phenotype correlations within a Chinese cohort, providing innovative insights into this complex field that may contribute to genetic counseling, risk stratification, and clinical management for the NF1 population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beiyao Zhu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Center and Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Research, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Tingting Zheng
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Center and Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Research, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Center and Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Research, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Yihui Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Center and Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Research, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Chengjiang Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Center and Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Research, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Center and Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Research, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Zhichao Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Center and Laboratory for Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Research, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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4
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Pacot L, Sabbagh A, Sohier P, Hadjadj D, Ye M, Boland-Auge A, Bacq-Daian D, Laurendeau I, Briand-Suleau A, Deleuze JF, Margueron R, Vidaud M, Ferkal S, Parfait B, Vidaud D, Pasmant E, Wolkenstein P. Identification of potential common genetic modifiers of neurofibromas: a genome-wide association study in 1333 patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. Br J Dermatol 2024; 190:226-243. [PMID: 37831592 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljad390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized by the highly variable and unpredictable development of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours: cutaneous (cNFs), subcutaneous (scNFs) and plexiform (pNFs) neurofibromas. OBJECTIVES To identify neurofibroma modifier genes, in order to develop a database of patients with NF1. METHODS All patients were phenotypically evaluated by a medical practitioner using a standardized questionnaire and the causal NF1 variant identified. We enrolled 1333 patients with NF1 who were genotyped for > 7 million common variants. RESULTS A genome-wide association case-only study identified a significant association with 9q21.33 in the pNF phenotype in the discovery cohort. Twelve, three and four regions suggestive of association at the P ≤ 1 × 10-6 threshold were identified for pNFs, cNFs and scNFs, respectively. Evidence of replication was observed for 4, 2 and 6 loci, including 168 candidate modifier protein-coding genes. Among the candidate modifier genes, some were implicated in the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, cell-cycle control and myelination. Using an original CRISPR/Cas9-based functional assay, we confirmed GAS1 and SPRED2 as pNF and scNF candidate modifiers, as their inactivation specifically affected NF1-mutant Schwann cell growth. CONCLUSIONS Our study may shed new light on the pathogenesis of NF1-associated neurofibromas and will, hopefully, contribute to the development of personalized care for patients with this deleterious and life-threatening condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Pacot
- Fédération de Génétique et Médecine Génomique, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Sabbagh
- UMR 261 MERIT, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Sohier
- Service de Pathologie, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Djihad Hadjadj
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Manuela Ye
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Anne Boland-Auge
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine (CNRGH), Evry, France
| | - Delphine Bacq-Daian
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine (CNRGH), Evry, France
| | - Ingrid Laurendeau
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Briand-Suleau
- Fédération de Génétique et Médecine Génomique, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Jean-François Deleuze
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine (CNRGH), Evry, France
| | - Raphaël Margueron
- Institut Curie, INSERM U934/CNRS UMR3215, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Michel Vidaud
- Fédération de Génétique et Médecine Génomique, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Salah Ferkal
- Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpital Paris (AP-HP), Créteil, France
- INSERM, Clinical Investigation Center 1430, Referral Center of Neurofibromatosis, Hôpital Henri Mondor, AP-HP, Faculté de Santé Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Béatrice Parfait
- Fédération de Génétique et Médecine Génomique, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Vidaud
- Fédération de Génétique et Médecine Génomique, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Eric Pasmant
- Fédération de Génétique et Médecine Génomique, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, AP-HP, Centre-Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR8104, UFR de Pharmacie de Paris, Université Paris Cité, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Wolkenstein
- Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpital Paris (AP-HP), Créteil, France
- INSERM, Clinical Investigation Center 1430, Referral Center of Neurofibromatosis, Hôpital Henri Mondor, AP-HP, Faculté de Santé Paris Est Créteil, Créteil, France
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5
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Elbeltagy M, Abbassy M. Neurofibromatosis type1, type 2, tuberous sclerosis and Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Childs Nerv Syst 2023; 39:2791-2806. [PMID: 37819506 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-023-06160-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Neurocutaneous syndromes (also known as phakomatoses) are heterogenous group of disorders that involve derivatives of the neuroectoderm. Each disease has diagnostic and pathognomonic criteria, once identified, thorough clinical examination to the patient and the family members should be done. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to study the pathognomonic findings withing the CNS (Evans et al. in Am J Med Genet A 152A:327-332, 2010). This chapter includes the 4 most common syndromes faced by neurosurgeons and neurologists; neurofibromatosis types 1 and 2, tuberous sclerosis and Von Hippel-Lindau disease. Each syndrome has specific genetic anomaly that involves a tumor suppressor gene and the loss of inhibition of specific pathways. The result is a spectrum of cutaneous manifestations and neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elbeltagy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cairo University, 1 University Street, Giza Governorate, 12613, Egypt.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt, Sekat Hadid Al Mahger, Zeinhom, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo Governorate, 4260102, Egypt.
| | - M Abbassy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt, Sekat Hadid Al Mahger, Zeinhom, El Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo Governorate, 4260102, Egypt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Alexandria University, 22 El-Gaish Rd, Al Azaritah WA Ash Shatebi, Bab Sharqi, Alexandria Governorate, 5424041, Egypt
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6
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Koczkowska M, Chen Y, Xie J, Callens T, Gomes A, Wimmer K, Messiaen LM. Analysis of 200 unrelated individuals with a constitutional NF1 deep intronic pathogenic variant reveals that variants flanking the alternatively spliced NF1 exon 31 [23a] cause a classical neurofibromatosis type 1 phenotype while altering predominantly NF1 isoform type II. Hum Genet 2023:10.1007/s00439-023-02555-z. [PMID: 37186028 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 results from loss-of-function NF1 pathogenic variants (PVs). Up to 30% of all NF1 PVs disrupt mRNA splicing, including deep intronic variants. Here, we retrospectively investigated the spectrum of NF1 deep intronic PVs in a cohort of 8,090 unrelated individuals from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) dataset with a molecularly confirmed neurofibromatosis type 1. All variants were identified through their effect on the NF1 transcript, followed by variant characterization at the DNA-level. A total of 68 distinct variants, which were ≥ 20 nucleotides away from the closest exon-intron junction, were identified in 2.5% unrelated individuals with NF1 (200/8,090). Nine different pathogenic splice variants, identified in 20 probands, led to exonization of different parts of intron 30 [23.2] or 31 [23a]. The two major NF1 transcript isoforms, distinguished by the absence (type I) or presence (type II) of the alternatively spliced cassette exon 31 [23a], are equally expressed in blood in control individuals without NF1 or NF1-affected individuals carrying their PV not in the introns flanking exon 31 [23a]. By fragment and cloning analysis we demonstrated that the exonization of intron 31 [23a] sequences due to deep intronic PV predominantly affects the NF1 isoform II. Seven additional (likely) pathogenic NF1 deep intronic variants not observed in the UAB dataset were found by classification of 36 variants identified by a literature search. Hence, the unique list of these 75 deep intronic (likely) PVs should be included in any comprehensive NF1 testing strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Koczkowska
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- 3P-Medicine Laboratory, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-211, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Yunjia Chen
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Jing Xie
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Natera, Inc., San Carlos, CA, USA
| | - Tom Callens
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Alicia Gomes
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Katharina Wimmer
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ludwine M Messiaen
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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7
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Angelova-Toshkina D, Decker JA, Traunwieser T, Holzapfel J, Bette S, Huber S, Schimmel M, Vollert K, Bison B, Kröncke T, Bramswig NC, Wieczorek D, Gnekow AK, Frühwald MC, Kuhlen M. Comprehensive neurological evaluation of a cohort of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 from a single institution. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2023; 43:52-61. [PMID: 36905830 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a phenotypically heterogenous multisystem cancer predisposition syndrome manifesting in childhood and adolescents. Central nervous system (CNS) manifestations include structural, neurodevelopmental, and neoplastic disease. We aimed to (1) characterize the spectrum of CNS manifestations of NF1 in a paediatric population, (2) explore radiological features in the CNS by image analyses, and (3) correlate genotype with phenotypic expression for those with a genetic diagnosis. We performed a database search in the hospital information system covering the period between January 2017 and December 2020. We evaluated the phenotype by retrospective chart review and imaging analysis. 59 patients were diagnosed with NF1 [median age 10.6 years (range, 1.1-22.6); 31 female] at last follow-up, pathogenic NF1 variants were identified in 26/29. 49/59 patients presented with neurological manifestations including 28 with structural and neurodevelopmental findings, 16 with neurodevelopmental, and 5 with structural findings only. Focal areas of signal intensity (FASI) were identified in 29/39, cerebrovascular anomalies in 4/39. Neurodevelopmental delay was reported in 27/59 patients, learning difficulties in 19/59. Optic pathway gliomas (OPG) were diagnosed in 18/59 patients, 13/59 had low-grade gliomas outside the visual pathways. 12 patients received chemotherapy. Beside the established NF1 microdeletion, neither genotype nor FASI were associated with the neurological phenotype. NF1 was associated with a spectrum of CNS manifestations in at least 83.0% of patients. Regular neuropsychological assessment complementing frequent clinical and ophthalmologic testing for OPG is necessary in the care of each child with NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Angelova-Toshkina
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Josua A Decker
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstraße 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Traunwieser
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Johannes Holzapfel
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Stefanie Bette
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstraße 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Simon Huber
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Mareike Schimmel
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Kurt Vollert
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstraße 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Brigitte Bison
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Thomas Kröncke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstraße 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Nuria C Bramswig
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40255, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Dagmar Wieczorek
- Institute of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40255, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Astrid K Gnekow
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Michael C Frühwald
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Michaela Kuhlen
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Stenglinstr. 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
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Nakato D, Yamada M, Suzuki H, Takenouchi T, Kosaki K. Familial café-au-lait macules associated with in-frame deletion of NF1 p.Met992del mimicking Legius syndrome. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2023; 63:54-55. [PMID: 36637081 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Nakato
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mamiko Yamada
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hisato Suzuki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiki Takenouchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Kosaki
- Center for Medical Genetics, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Functional Assays Combined with Pre-mRNA-Splicing Analysis Improve Variant Classification and Diagnostics for Individuals with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Legius Syndrome. Hum Mutat 2023. [DOI: 10.1155/2023/9628049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Legius syndrome (LS) are caused by inactivating variants in NF1 and SPRED1. NF1 encodes neurofibromin (NF), a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) for RAS that interacts with the SPRED1 product, Sprouty-related protein with an EVH (Ena/Vasp homology) domain 1 (SPRED1). Obtaining a clinical and molecular diagnosis of NF1 or LS can be challenging due to the phenotypic diversity, the size and complexity of the NF1 and SPRED1 loci, and uncertainty over the effects of some NF1 and SPRED1 variants on pre-mRNA splicing and/or protein expression and function. To improve NF1 and SPRED1 variant classification and establish pathogenicity for NF1 and SPRED1 variants identified in individuals with NF1 or LS, we analyzed patient RNA by RT-PCR and performed in vitro exon trap experiments and estimated NF and SPRED1 protein expression, RAS GAP activity, and interaction. We obtained evidence to support pathogenicity according to American College of Medical Genetics guidelines for 73/114 variants tested, demonstrating the utility of functional approaches for NF1 and SPRED1 variant classification and NF and LS diagnostics.
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Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Pediatric Aspects and Review of Genotype-Phenotype Correlations. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15041217. [PMID: 36831560 PMCID: PMC9954221 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant condition, with a birth incidence of approximately 1:2000-3000, caused by germline pathogenic variants in NF1, a tumor suppressor gene encoding neurofibromin, a negative regulator of the RAS/MAPK pathway. This explains why NF1 is included in the group of RASopathies and shares several clinical features with Noonan syndrome. Here, we describe the main clinical characteristics and complications associated with NF1, particularly those occurring in pediatric age. NF1 has complete penetrance and shows wide inter- and intrafamilial phenotypic variability and age-dependent appearance of manifestations. Clinical presentation and history of NF1 are multisystemic and highly unpredictable, especially in the first years of life when penetrance is still incomplete. In this scenario of extreme phenotypic variability, some genotype-phenotype associations need to be taken into consideration, as they strongly impact on genetic counseling and prognostication of the disease. We provide a synthetic review, based on the most recent literature data, of all known genotype-phenotype correlations from a genetic and clinical perspective. Molecular diagnosis is fundamental for the confirmation of doubtful clinical diagnoses, especially in the light of recently revised diagnostic criteria, and for the early identification of genotypes, albeit few, that correlate with specific phenotypes.
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11
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Destabilizing NF1 variants act in a dominant negative manner through neurofibromin dimerization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2208960120. [PMID: 36689660 PMCID: PMC9945959 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2208960120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of pathogenic mutations in the neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) gene reduce total neurofibromin protein expression through premature truncation or microdeletion, but it is less well understood how loss-of-function missense variants drive NF1 disease. We have found that patient variants in codons 844 to 848, which correlate with a severe phenotype, cause protein instability and exert an additional dominant-negative action whereby wild-type neurofibromin also becomes destabilized through protein dimerization. We have used our neurofibromin cryogenic electron microscopy structure to predict and validate other patient variants that act through a similar mechanism. This provides a foundation for understanding genotype-phenotype correlations and has important implications for patient counseling, disease management, and therapeutics.
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12
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Fisher MJ, Blakeley JO, Weiss BD, Dombi E, Ahlawat S, Akshintala S, Belzberg AJ, Bornhorst M, Bredella MA, Cai W, Ferner RE, Gross AM, Harris GJ, Listernick R, Ly I, Martin S, Mautner VF, Salamon JM, Salerno KE, Spinner RJ, Staedtke V, Ullrich NJ, Upadhyaya M, Wolters PL, Yohay K, Widemann BC. Management of neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas. Neuro Oncol 2022; 24:1827-1844. [PMID: 35657359 PMCID: PMC9629437 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Plexiform Neurofibromas (PN) are a common manifestation of the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). These benign nerve sheath tumors often cause significant morbidity, with treatment options limited historically to surgery. There have been tremendous advances over the past two decades in our understanding of PN, and the recent regulatory approvals of the MEK inhibitor selumetinib are reshaping the landscape for PN management. At present, there is no agreed upon PN definition, diagnostic evaluation, surveillance strategy, or clear indications for when to initiate treatment and selection of treatment modality. In this review, we address these questions via consensus recommendations from a panel of multidisciplinary NF1 experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Fisher
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jaishri O Blakeley
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brian D Weiss
- Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Eva Dombi
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Shivani Ahlawat
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Allan J Belzberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Miriam Bornhorst
- Family Neurofibromatosis Institute, Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine,Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Miriam A Bredella
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wenli Cai
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosalie E Ferner
- Neurofibromatosis Service, Department of Neurology, Guy's Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Andrea M Gross
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gordon J Harris
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert Listernick
- Department of Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ina Ly
- Stephen E. and Catherine Pappas Center for Neuro-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Staci Martin
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Victor F Mautner
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes M Salamon
- Department for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kilian E Salerno
- Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert J Spinner
- Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Verena Staedtke
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nicole J Ullrich
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meena Upadhyaya
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
| | - Pamela L Wolters
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Kaleb Yohay
- Grossman School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, New York, New York, USA
| | - Brigitte C Widemann
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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13
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Mapping the Landscape of Neurofibromatosis: A Bibliometric Evaluation Highlighting Our Current Understanding, Emerging Therapies, and Global Research Trends. World Neurosurg 2022; 167:e1345-e1353. [PMID: 36108912 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.09.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The literature on neurofibromatosis (NF) has never been systematically assessed using bibliometric analytic methodologies. We quantitatively analyzed the major trends and scientific output regarding NF, highlighting potential avenues for research. METHODS An Elsevier's Scopus database search was performed for all indexed studies related to NF from 1898 to 2021. Validated bibliometric parameters were analyzed using productivity, citation, and keyword analysis, including text mining, content analysis, and collaboration network mapping from inception to date on R 4.1.2. RESULTS Our search yielded 15,024 documents. Annual scientific production has grown at a compounded rate of 5.86%, with the largest occurring in 2021 (n = 626). Journals with the most publications on NF include the Journal of Medical Genetics (n = 117) and Neurology (n = 113). The topmost cited author was Gutmann DH (n = 295). The United States had the most international collaboration (n = 435; multiple country publications). Identification of citation classics revealed a shift in recent decades towards understanding genetic and molecular pathways of NF tumorigenesis. Macro-level and micro-level text mining revealed the top 20 genetic and molecular pathways, and syndromes, associated with NF. CONCLUSIONS Our study exemplifies a quantitative method for understanding the historical and current state of academic efforts regarding NF. There has been a shift of treatment strategies towards targeting specific pathways involved in tumorigenesis. We highlight the top 20 genetic and molecular pathways in the literature as well as the top 20 associated syndromes. This data is encouraging as increased research in molecular targeted therapies aimed at NF pathogenesis may allow advances in disease control.
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He Q, Jiang J, Yang J, Zeng J, Zhang H, Zhang Z. A novel mutation of the NF1 gene in a Chinese family with neurofibromatosis type 1. Am J Transl Res 2022; 14:5139-5145. [PMID: 35958499 PMCID: PMC9360891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) gene are associated with clinical manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). OBJECTIVE To clarify the relationship between NF1 variants and disease phenotype. METHODS Peripheral blood samples were collected from a patient and her relatives and genomic DNA was extracted for next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect potential variants; the results were validated by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS A novel frameshift variant c.4508_c.4509delAT (p.Asn1503fsTer26) was detected in exon 34 of the NF1 gene in the patient and her daughter, but not in any other (healthy) family member. This c.4508_c.4509delAT (p.Asn1503fsTer26) frameshift variant of NF1 may underlie NF1 in this family. CONCLUSIONS This finding expands the spectrum of pathogenic mutations of the NF1 gene, which could aid genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi He
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeNanchong 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jingjing Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeNanchong 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiao Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeNanchong 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Junjie Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Taikang Sichuan Southwest Hospital Company LimitedChengdu 610000, Sichuan, China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeNanchong 637000, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhengzhong Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical CollegeNanchong 637000, Sichuan, China
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15
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Leier A, Moore M, Liu H, Daniel M, Hyde AM, Messiaen L, Korf BR, Selvakumaran J, Ciszewski L, Lambert L, Foote J, Wallace MR, Kesterson RA, Dickson G, Popplewell L, Wallis D. Targeted exon skipping of NF1 exon 17 as a therapeutic for neurofibromatosis type I. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2022; 28:261-278. [PMID: 35433111 PMCID: PMC8983316 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the feasibility of utilizing an exon-skipping approach as a genotype-dependent therapeutic for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) by determining which NF1 exons might be skipped while maintaining neurofibromin protein expression and GTPase activating protein (GAP)-related domain (GRD) function. Initial in silico analysis predicted exons that can be skipped with minimal loss of neurofibromin function, which was confirmed by in vitro assessments utilizing an Nf1 cDNA-based functional screening system. Skipping of exons 17 or 52 fit our criteria, as minimal effects on protein expression and GRD activity were noted. Antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) were utilized to skip exon 17 in human cell lines with patient-specific pathogenic variants in exon 17, c.1885G>A, and c.1929delG. PMOs restored functional neurofibromin expression. To determine the in vivo significance of exon 17 skipping, we generated a homozygous deletion of exon 17 in a novel mouse model. Mice were viable and exhibited a normal lifespan. Initial studies did not reveal the presence of tumor development; however, altered nesting behavior and systemic lymphoid hyperplasia was noted in peripheral lymphoid organs. Alterations in T and B cell frequencies in the thymus and spleen were identified. Hence, exon skipping should be further investigated as a therapeutic approach for NF1 patients with pathogenic variants in exon 17, as homozygous deletion of exon 17 is consistent with at least partial function of neurofibromin.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Leier
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Marc Moore
- Centre of Biomedical Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Michael Daniel
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Alexis M. Hyde
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ludwine Messiaen
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Bruce R. Korf
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jamuna Selvakumaran
- Centre of Biomedical Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Lukasz Ciszewski
- Centre of Biomedical Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Laura Lambert
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jeremy Foote
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Margaret R. Wallace
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, and UF Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Robert A. Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - George Dickson
- Centre of Biomedical Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Linda Popplewell
- Centre of Biomedical Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway - University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Deeann Wallis
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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16
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Thota E, Veeravalli JJ, Manchala SK, Lakkepuram BP, Kodapaneni J, Chen YW, Wang LT, Ma KSK. Age-dependent oral manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1: a case-control study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:93. [PMID: 35236379 PMCID: PMC8889631 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02223-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Most craniofacial manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are considered as a result of tumor compression. We sought to determine salivary changes, caries, and periodontal complications in NF1 patients without tumors in the oral cavity.
Objective and methods Eleven NF1 patients without tumors in the oral cavity and 29 matched controls without NF1 were enrolled in this case–control study. Demographic information, medical history, and data of intraoral examinations, including the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) scores and Russel’s periodontal index (PI), were recorded. The functional salivary analysis was performed for sialometry, salivary pH values, and amylase activity. Ingenuity Systems Pathway Analysis (IPA) was conducted to identify mutually activated pathways for NF1-associated oral complications.
Results NF1 patients were associated with periodontitis (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.06–1.73, P = 0.04), gingivitis (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.09–2.01, P = 0.0002), and decreased salivary flow rates (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.05–1.76, P = 0.005). Periodontal destruction, salivary changes, and dental caries in NF1 patients were age-dependent. Subgroup analyses based on age stratification suggested that salivary flow rates and salivary amylase activities were significantly low in NF1 patients aged over 20 years and that salivary pH values, PI and DMFT scores were significantly high among NF1- controls aged over 20. All oral complications were not significantly presented in NF1 patients aged below 20 years. IPA analyses suggested that cellular mechanisms underlying NF1-associated oral complications involved chronic inflammatory pathways and fibrosis signaling pathway.
Conclusion NF1 patients without tumors in the oral cavity presented a comparatively high prevalence of age-dependent oral complications, including periodontal destruction and salivary gland dysfunction, which were associated with chronic inflammatory pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshwar Thota
- Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.,SVS Institute of Dental Sciences, Mahbubnagar, Telangana, India
| | - John Jims Veeravalli
- Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.,SVS Institute of Dental Sciences, Mahbubnagar, Telangana, India
| | - Sai Krishna Manchala
- Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Jayasurya Kodapaneni
- Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Yi-Wen Chen
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. .,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Li-Tzu Wang
- Institute of Cellular and System Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Kevin Sheng-Kai Ma
- Department of Dentistry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. .,Graduate Institute of Clinical Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. .,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. .,Center for Global Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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17
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Mo J, Moye SL, McKay RM, Le LQ. Neurofibromin and suppression of tumorigenesis: beyond the GAP. Oncogene 2022; 41:1235-1251. [PMID: 35066574 PMCID: PMC9063229 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-02156-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease and one of the most common inherited tumor predisposition syndromes, affecting 1 in 3000 individuals worldwide. The NF1 gene encodes neurofibromin, a large protein with RAS GTP-ase activating (RAS-GAP) activity, and loss of NF1 results in increased RAS signaling. Neurofibromin contains many other domains, and there is considerable evidence that these domains play a role in some manifestations of NF1. Investigating the role of these domains as well as the various signaling pathways that neurofibromin regulates and interacts with will provide a better understanding of how neurofibromin acts to suppress tumor development and potentially open new therapeutic avenues. In this review, we discuss what is known about the structure of neurofibromin, its interactions with other proteins and signaling pathways, its role in development and differentiation, and its function as a tumor suppressor. Finally, we discuss the latest research on potential therapeutics for neurofibromin-deficient neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mo
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA
| | - Stefanie L. Moye
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA
| | - Renee M. McKay
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA
| | - Lu Q. Le
- Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA,UTSW Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Clinic, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA,O’Donnell Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9069, USA,Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to Lu Q. Le.
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18
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Duong D, Waikel RL, Hu P, Tekendo-Ngongang C, Solomon BD. Neural network classifiers for images of genetic conditions with cutaneous manifestations. HGG ADVANCES 2022; 3:100053. [PMID: 35047844 PMCID: PMC8756521 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2021.100053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural networks have shown strong potential in research and in healthcare. Mainly due to the need for large datasets, these applications have focused on common medical conditions, where more data are typically available. Leveraging publicly available data, we trained a neural network classifier on images of rare genetic conditions with skin findings. We used approximately 100 images per condition to classify 6 different genetic conditions. We analyzed both preprocessed images that were cropped to show only the skin lesions as well as more complex images showing features such as the entire body segment, the person, and/or the background. The classifier construction process included attribution methods to visualize which pixels were most important for computer-based classification. Our classifier was significantly more accurate than pediatricians or medical geneticists for both types of images and suggests steps for further research involving clinical scenarios and other applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dat Duong
- Medical Genomics Unit, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rebekah L. Waikel
- Medical Genomics Unit, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- Medical Genomics Unit, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Cedrik Tekendo-Ngongang
- Medical Genomics Unit, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Benjamin D. Solomon
- Medical Genomics Unit, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Corresponding author
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19
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Palit A, Inamadar AC. RASopathies: Dermatologists’ viewpoints. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2021; 88:452-463. [DOI: 10.25259/ijdvl_799_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway dysregulation results in a group of disorders, collectively termed as RASopathies. Neurofibromatosis type 1, Noonan syndrome, Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines, Noonan syndrome/loose anagen hair, Legius syndrome, Costello syndrome, cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome and capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation are the well-recognized RASopathies. These are characterized by multi-organ tumours and hamartomas. Some other features in common are facial dysmorphism, skeletal abnormalities, congenital heart disease, neurocognitive abnormalities and risk of various solid-organ and haematological malignancies. Some of the RASopathies are heterogeneous, caused by several gene mutations resulting in variations in phenotypes and severity ranging from mild to fatal. Significant phenotypic overlaps among different disorders, often makes it difficult to pinpoint a clinical diagnosis. Specific cutaneous manifestations are present in some of the RASopathies and are often the earliest clinical signs/symptoms. Hence, dermatologists contribute significantly as primary care physicians by identifying disorder-specific cutaneous lesions. However, diagnostic work-up and management of these disorders are often multidisciplinary. Confirmation of diagnosis is possible only by genetic mapping in each case. Genetic counseling of the patients and the affected families is an important component of the management. The aim of this review is description of cutaneous manifestations of RASopathies in the background of multi-system involvement to enable dermatologists a comprehensive and logical approach to work up and diagnose such patients in the absence of facility for specific molecular testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arun C. Inamadar
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy, Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Center, BLDE University, Vijayapur, Karnataka, India
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20
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Kehrer-Sawatzki H, Cooper DN. Challenges in the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in young children facilitated by means of revised diagnostic criteria including genetic testing for pathogenic NF1 gene variants. Hum Genet 2021; 141:177-191. [PMID: 34928431 PMCID: PMC8807470 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02410-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the most frequent disorder associated with multiple café-au-lait macules (CALM) which may either be present at birth or appear during the first year of life. Other NF1-associated features such as skin-fold freckling and Lisch nodules occur later during childhood whereas dermal neurofibromas are rare in young children and usually only arise during early adulthood. The NIH clinical diagnostic criteria for NF1, established in 1988, include the most common NF1-associated features. Since many of these features are age-dependent, arriving at a definitive diagnosis of NF1 by employing these criteria may not be possible in infancy if CALM are the only clinical feature evident. Indeed, approximately 46% of patients who are diagnosed with NF1 later in life do not meet the NIH diagnostic criteria by the age of 1 year. Further, the 1988 diagnostic criteria for NF1 are not specific enough to distinguish NF1 from other related disorders such as Legius syndrome. In this review, we outline the challenges faced in diagnosing NF1 in young children, and evaluate the utility of the recently revised (2021) diagnostic criteria for NF1, which include the presence of pathogenic variants in the NF1 gene and choroidal anomalies, for achieving an early and accurate diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard Kehrer-Sawatzki
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Ulm, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - David N Cooper
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK
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21
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Sorrentino U, Bellonzi S, Mozzato C, Brasson V, Toldo I, Parrozzani R, Clementi M, Cassina M, Trevisson E. Epilepsy in NF1: Epidemiologic, Genetic, and Clinical Features. A Monocentric Retrospective Study in a Cohort of 784 Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13246336. [PMID: 34944956 PMCID: PMC8699608 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An increased lifetime risk of epilepsy has been reported in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) patients, ranging between 4% and 14%. To further analyze the correlation between NF1 and epilepsy, we retrospectively reviewed the epidemiologic, clinical, radiological, and molecular data of 784 unselected patients diagnosed with NF1 and referred to the neurofibromatosis outpatient clinics at the University Hospital of Padua. A crude prevalence of epilepsy of 4.7% was observed. In about 70% of cases, seizures arose in the context of neuroradiological findings, with the main predisposing factors being cerebral vasculopathies and hydrocephalus. In the absence of structural abnormalities, the prevalence of epilepsy was found to be 1.27%, which is approximately equal to the total prevalence in the general population. NF1 patients with seizures exhibit a higher incidence of intellectual disability and/or developmental delay, as well as of isolated learning disabilities. The comparison of causative NF1 mutations between the two groups did not reveal a specific genotype-phenotype correlation. Our data refine the current knowledge on epileptological manifestations in NF1 patients, arguing against the hypothesis that specific mechanisms, inherent to neurofibromin cellular function, might determine an increased risk of epilepsy in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugo Sorrentino
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (V.B.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence: (U.S.); (E.T.); Tel.: +39-049-8215444 (U.S.); +39-049-8211402 (E.T.)
| | - Silvia Bellonzi
- Pediatrics Complex Care Unit, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, 45100 Rovigo, Italy;
| | - Chiara Mozzato
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (V.B.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Valeria Brasson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (V.B.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Irene Toldo
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University Hospital of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy;
| | - Raffaele Parrozzani
- Department of Neuroscience-Ophthalmology, University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Clementi
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (V.B.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Matteo Cassina
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (V.B.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
| | - Eva Trevisson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padua, Italy; (C.M.); (V.B.); (M.C.); (M.C.)
- Institute of Pediatric Research IRP, “Fondazione Città della Speranza”, 35127 Padua, Italy
- Correspondence: (U.S.); (E.T.); Tel.: +39-049-8215444 (U.S.); +39-049-8211402 (E.T.)
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22
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Forde C, Burkitt-Wright E, Turnpenny PD, Haan E, Ealing J, Mansour S, Holder M, Lahiri N, Dixit A, Procter A, Pacot L, Vidaud D, Capri Y, Gerard M, Dollfus H, Schaefer E, Quelin C, Sigaudy S, Busa T, Vera G, Damaj L, Messiaen L, Stevenson DA, Davies P, Palmer-Smith S, Callaway A, Wolkenstein P, Pasmant E, Upadhyaya M. Natural history of NF1 c.2970_2972del p.(Met992del): confirmation of a low risk of complications in a longitudinal study. Eur J Hum Genet 2021; 30:291-297. [PMID: 34897289 PMCID: PMC8904810 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-01015-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with the three base pair deletion NM_000267.3(NF1):c.2970_2972del p.(Met992del) have been recognised to present with a milder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) phenotype characterised by café-au-lait macules (CALs) and intertriginous freckling, as well as a lack of cutaneous, subcutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas and other NF1-associated complications. Examining large cohorts of patients over time with this specific genotype is important to confirm the presentation and associated risks of this variant across the lifespan. Forty-one individuals with the in-frame NF1 deletion p.Met992del were identified from 31 families. Clinicians completed a standardised clinical questionnaire for each patient and the resulting data were collated and compared to published cohorts. Thirteen patients have been previously reported, and updated clinical information has been obtained for these individuals. Both CALs and intertriginous freckling were present in the majority of individuals (26/41, 63%) and the only confirmed features in 11 (27%). 34/41 (83%) of the cohort met NIH diagnostic criteria. There was a notable absence of all NF1-associated tumour types (neurofibroma and glioma). Neurofibroma were observed in only one individual—a subcutaneous lesion (confirmed histologically). Nineteen individuals were described as having a learning disability (46%). This study confirms that individuals with p.Met992del display a mild tumoural phenotype compared to those with ‘classical’, clinically diagnosed NF1, and this appears to be the case longitudinally through time as well as at presentation. Learning difficulties, however, appear to affect a significant proportion of NF1 subjects with this phenotype. Knowledge of this genotype–phenotype association is fundamental to accurate prognostication for families and caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Forde
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Emma Burkitt-Wright
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter D Turnpenny
- Clinical Genetics, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK
| | - Eric Haan
- South Australia Clinical Genetics Services, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - John Ealing
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Sahar Mansour
- Department Of Clinical Genetics, St George's University NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Muriel Holder
- Genetics Service, South East Thames Regional Genetics Service, London, UK
| | - Nayana Lahiri
- Department Of Clinical Genetics, St George's University NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Abhijit Dixit
- Clinical Genetics Department, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Laurence Pacot
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP.Centre-Université de Paris, Paris, France and Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016-CNRS UMR8104-Université de Paris, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Vidaud
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP.Centre-Université de Paris, Paris, France and Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016-CNRS UMR8104-Université de Paris, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Yline Capri
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Robert-Debré Hospital, AP-HP and University of Paris-Diderot, Paris, France
| | - Marion Gerard
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU Caen, Caen, France
| | - Hélène Dollfus
- Centre de Référence Pour les Affections Rares en Génétique Ophtalmologique, CARGO, Filière SENSGENE, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg; Medical Genetics Laboratory, INSERM U1112, Institute of Medical Genetics of Alsace, Strasbourg Medical School, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Elise Schaefer
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace, Strasbourg, France
| | - Chloé Quelin
- Service de génétique clinique, CLAD Ouest, CHU Rennes, Hôpital Sud, Rennes, France
| | - Sabine Sigaudy
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital La Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Tiffany Busa
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital La Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Gabriella Vera
- Department of Genetics and Reference Center for Developmental Disorders, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France
| | - Lena Damaj
- Department of Pediatrics, Competence Center of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France
| | - Ludwine Messiaen
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - David A Stevenson
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | | | | | - Alison Callaway
- Molecular Genetics, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Salisbury, UK
| | - Pierre Wolkenstein
- Département de Dermatologie, AP-HP and UPEC, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, Créteil, France
| | - Eric Pasmant
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP.Centre-Université de Paris, Paris, France and Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016-CNRS UMR8104-Université de Paris, CARPEM, Paris, France
| | - Meena Upadhyaya
- Division of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
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23
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Awad EK, Moore M, Liu H, Ciszewski L, Lambert L, Korf BR, Popplewell L, Kesterson RA, Wallis D. Restoration of Normal NF1 Function with Antisense Morpholino Treatment of Recurrent Pathogenic Patient-Specific Variant c.1466A>G; p.Y489C. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11121320. [PMID: 34945792 PMCID: PMC8705852 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder with almost 3000 different disease-causing variants within the NF1 gene identified. Up to 44% of these variants cause splicing errors to occur within pre-mRNA. A recurrent variant in exon 13, c.1466A>G; p.Y489C (Y489C) results in the creation of an intragenic cryptic splice site, aberrant splicing, a 62 base pair deletion from the mRNA, and subsequent frameshift. We investigated the ability of phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) to mask this variant on the RNA level, thus restoring normal splicing. To model this variant, we have developed a human iPS cell line homozygous for the variant using CRISPR/Cas9. PMOs were designed to be 25 base pairs long, and to cover the mutation site so it could not be read by splicing machinery. Results from our in vitro testing showed restoration of normal splicing in the RNA and restoration of full length neurofibromin protein. In addition, we observe the restoration of neurofibromin functionality through GTP-Ras and pERK/ERK testing. The results from this study demonstrate the ability of a PMO to correct splicing errors in NF1 variants at the RNA level, which could open the door for splicing corrections for other variants in this and a variety of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias K. Awad
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.K.A.); (H.L.); (L.L.); (B.R.K.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Marc Moore
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK; (M.M.); (L.C.); (L.P.)
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.K.A.); (H.L.); (L.L.); (B.R.K.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Lukasz Ciszewski
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK; (M.M.); (L.C.); (L.P.)
| | - Laura Lambert
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.K.A.); (H.L.); (L.L.); (B.R.K.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Bruce R. Korf
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.K.A.); (H.L.); (L.L.); (B.R.K.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Linda Popplewell
- Centre of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK; (M.M.); (L.C.); (L.P.)
| | - Robert A. Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.K.A.); (H.L.); (L.L.); (B.R.K.); (R.A.K.)
| | - Deeann Wallis
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (E.K.A.); (H.L.); (L.L.); (B.R.K.); (R.A.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-205-934-2794; Fax: +1-205-975-4418
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24
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Long A, Liu H, Liu J, Daniel M, Bedwell DM, Korf B, Kesterson RA, Wallis D. Analysis of patient-specific NF1 variants leads to functional insights for Ras signaling that can impact personalized medicine. Hum Mutat 2021; 43:30-41. [PMID: 34694046 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We have created a panel of 29 NF1 variant complementary DNAs (cDNAs) representing missense variants, many with clinically relevant phenotypes, in-frame deletions, splice variants, and nonsense variants. We have determined the functional consequences of the variants, assessing their ability to produce mature neurofibromin and restore Ras signaling activity in NF1 null (-/-) cells. cDNAs demonstrate variant-specific differences in neurofibromin protein levels, suggesting that some variants lead to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene or protein instability or enhanced degradation. When expressed at high levels, some variant proteins are still able to repress Ras activity, indicating that the NF1 phenotype may be due to low protein abundance. In contrast, other variant proteins are incapable of repressing Ras activity, indicating that some do not functionally engage Ras and stimulate GTPase activity. We observed that effects on protein abundance and Ras activity can be mutually exclusive. These assays allow us to categorize variants by functional effects, may help to classify variants of unknown significance, and may have future implications for more directed therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlee Long
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Michael Daniel
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - David M Bedwell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Bruce Korf
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Robert A Kesterson
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Deeann Wallis
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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25
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Wang W, Wei CJ, Cui XW, Li YH, Gu YH, Gu B, Li QF, Wang ZC. Impacts of NF1 Gene Mutations and Genetic Modifiers in Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Front Neurol 2021; 12:704639. [PMID: 34566848 PMCID: PMC8455870 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.704639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a tumor predisposition genetic disorder that directly affects more than 1 in 3,000 individuals worldwide. It results from mutations of the NF1 gene and shows almost complete penetrance. NF1 patients show high phenotypic variabilities, including cafe-au-lait macules, freckling, or other neoplastic or non-neoplastic features. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the diversities of clinical symptoms might contribute to the development of personalized healthcare for NF1 patients. Currently, studies have shown that the different types of mutations in the NF1 gene might correlate with this phenomenon. In addition, genetic modifiers are responsible for the different clinical features. In this review, we summarize different genetic mutations of the NF1 gene and related genetic modifiers. More importantly, we focus on the genotype–phenotype correlation. This review suggests a novel aspect to explain the underlying mechanisms of phenotypic heterogeneity of NF1 and provides suggestions for possible novel therapeutic targets to prevent or delay the onset and development of different manifestations of NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Cheng-Jiang Wei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi-Wei Cui
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue-Hua Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Hui Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Gu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing-Feng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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26
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Mo J, Anastasaki C, Chen Z, Shipman T, Papke J, Yin K, Gutmann DH, Le LQ. Humanized neurofibroma model from induced pluripotent stem cells delineates tumor pathogenesis and developmental origins. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:139807. [PMID: 33108355 DOI: 10.1172/jci139807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common tumor predisposition syndrome caused by NF1 gene mutation, in which affected patients develop Schwann cell lineage peripheral nerve sheath tumors (neurofibromas). To investigate human neurofibroma pathogenesis, we differentiated a series of isogenic, patient-specific NF1-mutant human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into Schwannian lineage cells (SLCs). We found that, although WT and heterozygous NF1-mutant hiPSCs-SLCs did not form tumors following mouse sciatic nerve implantation, NF1-null SLCs formed bona fide neurofibromas with high levels of SOX10 expression. To confirm that SOX10+ SLCs contained the cells of origin for neurofibromas, both Nf1 alleles were inactivated in mouse Sox10+ cells, leading to classic nodular cutaneous and plexiform neurofibroma formation that completely recapitulated their human counterparts. Moreover, we discovered that NF1 loss impaired Schwann cell differentiation by inducing a persistent stem-like state to expand the pool of progenitors required to initiate tumor formation, indicating that, in addition to regulating MAPK-mediated cell growth, NF1 loss also altered Schwann cell differentiation to promote neurofibroma development. Taken together, we established a complementary humanized neurofibroma explant and, to our knowledge, first-in-kind genetically engineered nodular cutaneous neurofibroma mouse models that delineate neurofibroma pathogenesis amenable to future therapeutic target discovery and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Mo
- Department of Dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Corina Anastasaki
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zhiguo Chen
- Department of Dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Tracey Shipman
- Department of Dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jason Papke
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kevin Yin
- Department of Dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lu Q Le
- Department of Dermatology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.,Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and.,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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27
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Riva M, Martorana D, Uliana V, Caleffi E, Boschi E, Garavelli L, Ponti G, Sangiorgi L, Graziano C, Bigoni S, Rocchetti LM, Madeo S, Soli F, Grosso E, Carli D, Goldoni M, Pisani F, Percesepe A. Recurrent NF1 gene variants and their genotype/phenotype correlations in patients with Neurofibromatosis type I. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2021; 61:10-21. [PMID: 34427956 PMCID: PMC9291954 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type I, a genetic condition due to pathogenic variants in the NF1 gene, is burdened by a high rate of complications, including neoplasms, which increase morbidity and mortality for the disease. We retrospectively re-evaluated the NF1 gene variants found in the period 2000-2019 and we studied for genotype/phenotype correlations of disease complications and neoplasms 34 variants, which were shared by at least two unrelated families (range 2-11) for a total 141 of probands and 21 relatives affected by Neurofibromatosis type I. Recurrent variants could be ascribed to the most common mutational mechanisms (C to T transition, microsatellite slippage, non-homologous recombination). In genotype/phenotype correlations, the variants p.Arg440*, p.Tyr489Cys, and p.Arg1947*, together with the gross gene deletions, displayed the highest rates of complications. When considering neoplasms, carriers of variants falling in the extradomain region at the 5' end of NF1 had a lower age-related cancer frequency than the rest of the gene sequence, showing a borderline significance (p = 0.045), which was not conserved after correction with covariates. We conclude that (1) hotspots in NF1 occur via different mutational mechanisms, (2) several variants are associated with high rates of complications and cancers, and (3) there is an initial evidence toward a lower cancer risk for carriers of variants in the 5' end of the NF1 gene although not significant at the multivariate analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riva
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Elena Boschi
- Plastic Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Livia Garavelli
- Medical Genetics Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ponti
- Division of Clinical Pathology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Luca Sangiorgi
- Medical Genetics and Skeletal Rare Diseases, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Graziano
- Medical Genetics, S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Stefania Bigoni
- Medical Genetics, Ferrara University Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Simona Madeo
- Pediatrics, University Hospital of Modena, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Soli
- Medical Genetics, Santa Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy
| | - Enrico Grosso
- Medical Genetics, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - Diana Carli
- Department of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Matteo Goldoni
- Statistics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Francesco Pisani
- Children's Neuropsycological Services, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Percesepe
- Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.,University Hospital of Parma, Parma, Italy
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28
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D'Amico A, Rosano C, Pannone L, Pinna V, Assunto A, Motta M, Ugga L, Daniele P, Mandile R, Mariniello L, Siano MA, Santoro C, Piluso G, Martinelli S, Strisciuglio P, De Luca A, Tartaglia M, Melis D. Clinical variability of neurofibromatosis 1: A modifying role of cooccurring PTPN11 variants and atypical brain MRI findings. Clin Genet 2021; 100:563-572. [PMID: 34346503 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a disorder characterized by variable expressivity caused by loss-of-function variants in NF1, encoding neurofibromin, a protein negatively controlling RAS signaling. We evaluated whether concurrent variation in proteins functionally linked to neurofibromin contribute to the variable expressivity of NF1. Parallel sequencing of a RASopathy gene panel in 138 individuals with molecularly confirmed clinical diagnosis of NF1 identified missense variants in PTPN11, encoding SHP2, a positive regulator of RAS signaling, in four subjects from three unrelated families. Three subjects were heterozygous for a gain-of-function variant and showed a severe expression of NF1 (developmental delay, multiple cerebral neoplasms and peculiar cortical MRI findings), and features resembling Noonan syndrome (a RASopathy caused by activating variants in PTPN11). Conversely, the fourth subject, who showed an attenuated presentation, carried a previously unreported PTPN11 variant that had a hypomorphic behavior in vitro. Our findings document that functionally relevant PTPN11 variants occur in a small but significant proportion of subjects with NF1 modulating disease presentation, suggesting a model in which the clinical expression of pathogenic NF1 variants is modified by concomitant dysregulation of protein(s) functionally linked to neurofibromin. We also suggest targeting of SHP2 function as an approach to treat evolutive complications of NF1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra D'Amico
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Tortorella Private Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Carmen Rosano
- Translational Medical Sciences Department, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Pannone
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Pinna
- Medical Genetics Division, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonia Assunto
- Translational Medical Sciences Department, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Marialetizia Motta
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ugga
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Tortorella Private Hospital, Salerno, Italy
| | - Paola Daniele
- Medical Genetics Division, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Roberta Mandile
- Translational Medical Sciences Department, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Mariniello
- Translational Medical Sciences Department, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Anna Siano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Salerno, Italy
| | - Claudia Santoro
- Referral Centre of Neurofibromatosis, Department of Woman and Child, Specialistic and General Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Piluso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Simone Martinelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Strisciuglio
- Translational Medical Sciences Department, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- Medical Genetics Division, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marco Tartaglia
- Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Melis
- Translational Medical Sciences Department, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, "Scuola Medica Salernitana", Salerno, Italy
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Wallis D, Stemmer-Rachamimov A, Adsit S, Korf B, Pichard D, Blakeley J, Sarin KY. Status and Recommendations for Incorporating Biomarkers for Cutaneous Neurofibromas Into Clinical Research. Neurology 2021; 97:S42-S49. [PMID: 34230199 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize existing biomarker data for cutaneous neurofibroma (cNF) and to inform the incorporation of biomarkers into clinical trial design for cNFs. METHODS The cNF working group, a subgroup of the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis (REiNS) consortium, was formed to review and inform clinical trial design for cNFs. Between June 2018 and February 2020, the cNF working group performed a review of existing data on genetic biomarkers for cNFs in the setting of neurofibromatosis type 1. We also reviewed criteria for successful biomarker application in the clinic. The group then held a series of meetings to develop a consensus report. RESULTS Our systematic literature review of existing data revealed a lack of validated biomarkers for cNFs. In our report, we summarize the existing signaling, genomic, transcriptomic, histopathologic, and proteomic data relevant to cNF. Finally, we make recommendations for incorporating exploratory aims for predictive biomarkers into clinical trials through biobanking samples. CONCLUSION These recommendations are intended to provide both researchers and clinicians with best practices for clinical trial design to aid in the identification of clinically validated biomarkers for cNF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deeann Wallis
- From the Department of Genetics (D.W., B.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Pathology (A.S.-R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Nephrology (S.A.), Wyoming Medical Center, Casper; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (D.P.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Department of Dermatology (K.Y.S.), Stanford University Medical Center, Redwood City, CA
| | - Anat Stemmer-Rachamimov
- From the Department of Genetics (D.W., B.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Pathology (A.S.-R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Nephrology (S.A.), Wyoming Medical Center, Casper; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (D.P.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Department of Dermatology (K.Y.S.), Stanford University Medical Center, Redwood City, CA
| | - Sarah Adsit
- From the Department of Genetics (D.W., B.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Pathology (A.S.-R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Nephrology (S.A.), Wyoming Medical Center, Casper; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (D.P.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Department of Dermatology (K.Y.S.), Stanford University Medical Center, Redwood City, CA
| | - Bruce Korf
- From the Department of Genetics (D.W., B.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Pathology (A.S.-R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Nephrology (S.A.), Wyoming Medical Center, Casper; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (D.P.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Department of Dermatology (K.Y.S.), Stanford University Medical Center, Redwood City, CA
| | - Dominique Pichard
- From the Department of Genetics (D.W., B.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Pathology (A.S.-R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Nephrology (S.A.), Wyoming Medical Center, Casper; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (D.P.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Department of Dermatology (K.Y.S.), Stanford University Medical Center, Redwood City, CA
| | - Jaishri Blakeley
- From the Department of Genetics (D.W., B.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Pathology (A.S.-R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Nephrology (S.A.), Wyoming Medical Center, Casper; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (D.P.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Department of Dermatology (K.Y.S.), Stanford University Medical Center, Redwood City, CA
| | - Kavita Y Sarin
- From the Department of Genetics (D.W., B.K.), University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Pathology (A.S.-R.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; Department of Nephrology (S.A.), Wyoming Medical Center, Casper; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (D.P.), NIH, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (J.B.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; and Department of Dermatology (K.Y.S.), Stanford University Medical Center, Redwood City, CA.
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Pacot L, Vidaud D, Sabbagh A, Laurendeau I, Briand-Suleau A, Coustier A, Maillard T, Barbance C, Morice-Picard F, Sigaudy S, Glazunova OO, Damaj L, Layet V, Quelin C, Gilbert-Dussardier B, Audic F, Dollfus H, Guerrot AM, Lespinasse J, Julia S, Vantyghem MC, Drouard M, Lackmy M, Leheup B, Alembik Y, Lemaire A, Nitschké P, Petit F, Dieux Coeslier A, Mutez E, Taieb A, Fradin M, Capri Y, Nasser H, Ruaud L, Dauriat B, Bourthoumieu S, Geneviève D, Audebert-Bellanger S, Nizon M, Stoeva R, Hickman G, Nicolas G, Mazereeuw-Hautier J, Jannic A, Ferkal S, Parfait B, Vidaud M, Wolkenstein P, Pasmant E. Severe Phenotype in Patients with Large Deletions of NF1. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122963. [PMID: 34199217 PMCID: PMC8231977 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Complete deletion of the NF1 gene is identified in 5-10% of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Several studies have previously described particularly severe forms of the disease in NF1 patients with deletion of the NF1 locus, but comprehensive descriptions of large cohorts are still missing to fully characterize this contiguous gene syndrome. NF1-deleted patients were enrolled and phenotypically characterized with a standardized questionnaire between 2005 and 2020 from a large French NF1 cohort. Statistical analyses for main NF1-associated symptoms were performed versus an NF1 reference population. A deletion of the NF1 gene was detected in 4% (139/3479) of molecularly confirmed NF1 index cases. The median age of the group at clinical investigations was 21 years old. A comprehensive clinical assessment showed that 93% (116/126) of NF1-deleted patients fulfilled the NIH criteria for NF1. More than half had café-au-lait spots, skinfold freckling, Lisch nodules, neurofibromas, neurological abnormalities, and cognitive impairment or learning disabilities. Comparison with previously described "classic" NF1 cohorts showed a significantly higher proportion of symptomatic spinal neurofibromas, dysmorphism, learning disabilities, malignancies, and skeletal and cardiovascular abnormalities in the NF1-deleted group. We described the largest NF1-deleted cohort to date and clarified the more severe phenotype observed in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Pacot
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
- Inserm U1016—CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CARPEM, F-75014 Paris, France;
| | - Dominique Vidaud
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
- Inserm U1016—CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CARPEM, F-75014 Paris, France;
| | - Audrey Sabbagh
- UMR 261, Laboratoire MERIT, IRD, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université de Paris, F-75006 Paris, France;
| | - Ingrid Laurendeau
- Inserm U1016—CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CARPEM, F-75014 Paris, France;
| | - Audrey Briand-Suleau
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
- Inserm U1016—CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CARPEM, F-75014 Paris, France;
| | - Audrey Coustier
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Théodora Maillard
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Cécile Barbance
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Fanny Morice-Picard
- Inserm U1211, Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Bordeaux, F-33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Sabine Sigaudy
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children’s Hospital La Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, F-13000 Marseille, France;
| | - Olga O. Glazunova
- Centre de Référence des Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs (UF 2970), CHU Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, F-13000 Marseille, France;
| | - Lena Damaj
- Department of Pediatrics, Competence Center of Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Rennes Hospital, F-35000 Rennes, France;
| | - Valérie Layet
- Consultations de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier du Havre, F-76600 Le Havre, France;
| | - Chloé Quelin
- Service de Génétique Clinique, CLAD Ouest, CHU Rennes, Hôpital Sud, F-35000 Rennes, France; (C.Q.); (M.F.)
| | | | - Frédérique Audic
- Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, CHU Timone Enfants, F-13000 Marseille, France;
| | - Hélène Dollfus
- Centre de Référence Pour les Affections Rares en Génétique Ophtalmologique, CARGO, Filière SENSGENE, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France;
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, INSERM U1112, Institute of Medical Genetics of Alsace, Strasbourg Medical School, University of Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | | | - James Lespinasse
- Service de Génétique Clinique, CH de Chambéry, F-73000 Chambéry, France;
| | - Sophie Julia
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU de Toulouse, Hôpital Purpan, F-31000 Toulouse, France;
| | - Marie-Christine Vantyghem
- Endocrinology, Diabetology, Metabolism and Nutrition Department, Inserm 1190, Lille University Hospital EGID, F-59000 Lille, France;
| | - Magali Drouard
- Dermatology Department, CHU Lille, University of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France;
| | - Marilyn Lackmy
- Unité de Génétique Clinique, Centre de Compétences Maladies Rares Anomalies du Développement, CHRU de Pointe à Pitre, F-97110 Guadeloupe, France;
| | - Bruno Leheup
- Service de Génétique Médicale, Hôpitaux de Brabois, CHRU de Nancy, F-54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France;
| | - Yves Alembik
- Department of Medical Genetics, Strasbourg-Hautepierre Hospital, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (Y.A.); (A.L.)
| | - Alexia Lemaire
- Department of Medical Genetics, Strasbourg-Hautepierre Hospital, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (Y.A.); (A.L.)
| | - Patrick Nitschké
- Bioinformatics Platform, Imagine Institute, INSERM UMR 1163, Université de Paris, F-75015 Paris, France;
| | - Florence Petit
- CHU Lille, Clinique de Génétique, Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement, F-59000 Lille, France; (F.P.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Anne Dieux Coeslier
- CHU Lille, Clinique de Génétique, Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement, F-59000 Lille, France; (F.P.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Eugénie Mutez
- Lille University, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1172 - LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, F-59000 Lille, France;
| | - Alain Taieb
- Department of Dermatology and Pediatric Dermatology, Bordeaux University Hospital, F-33000 Bordeaux, France;
| | - Mélanie Fradin
- Service de Génétique Clinique, CLAD Ouest, CHU Rennes, Hôpital Sud, F-35000 Rennes, France; (C.Q.); (M.F.)
| | - Yline Capri
- Département de Génétique, APHP Nord, Hôpital Robert Debré, F-75019 Paris, France; (Y.C.); (H.N.); (L.R.)
| | - Hala Nasser
- Département de Génétique, APHP Nord, Hôpital Robert Debré, F-75019 Paris, France; (Y.C.); (H.N.); (L.R.)
| | - Lyse Ruaud
- Département de Génétique, APHP Nord, Hôpital Robert Debré, F-75019 Paris, France; (Y.C.); (H.N.); (L.R.)
- UMR 1141, NEURODIDEROT, INSERM, Université de Paris, F-75019 Paris, France
| | - Benjamin Dauriat
- Department of Cytogenetics and Clinical Genetics, Limoges University Hospital, F-87000 Limoges, France;
| | - Sylvie Bourthoumieu
- Service de Cytogénétique et Génétique Médicale, CHU Limoges, F-87000 Limoges, France;
| | - David Geneviève
- Department of Genetics, Arnaud de Villeneuve University Hospital, F-34000 Montpellier, France;
| | - Séverine Audebert-Bellanger
- Département de Génétique Médicale et Biologie de la Reproduction, CHU Brest, Hôpital Morvan, F-29200 Brest, France;
| | - Mathilde Nizon
- Genetic Medical Department, CHU Nantes, F-44000 Nantes, France;
| | - Radka Stoeva
- Service de Cytogénétique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Mans, F-72000 Le Mans, France;
| | - Geoffroy Hickman
- Department of Dermatology, Reference Center for Rare Skin Diseases MAGEC, Saint Louis Hospital AP-HP, F-75010 Paris, France;
| | - Gaël Nicolas
- Department of Genetics, FHU G4 Génomique, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, CHU Rouen, Inserm U1245, F-76000 Rouen, France;
| | - Juliette Mazereeuw-Hautier
- Département de Dermatologie, Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares de la Peau, CHU de Toulouse, F-31000 Toulouse, France;
| | - Arnaud Jannic
- Département de Dermatologie, AP-HP and UPEC, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, F-94000 Créteil, France; (A.J.); (S.F.); (P.W.)
| | - Salah Ferkal
- Département de Dermatologie, AP-HP and UPEC, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, F-94000 Créteil, France; (A.J.); (S.F.); (P.W.)
- INSERM, Centre d’Investigation Clinique 1430, F-94000 Créteil, France
| | - Béatrice Parfait
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
- Inserm U1016—CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CARPEM, F-75014 Paris, France;
| | - Michel Vidaud
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
- Inserm U1016—CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CARPEM, F-75014 Paris, France;
| | | | - Pierre Wolkenstein
- Département de Dermatologie, AP-HP and UPEC, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, F-94000 Créteil, France; (A.J.); (S.F.); (P.W.)
| | - Eric Pasmant
- Service de Génétique et Biologie Moléculaires, Hôpital Cochin, DMU BioPhyGen, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, AP-HP, Centre-Université de Paris, F-75014 Paris, France; (L.P.); (D.V.); (A.B.-S.); (A.C.); (T.M.); (C.B.); (B.P.); (M.V.)
- Inserm U1016—CNRS UMR8104, Institut Cochin, Université de Paris, CARPEM, F-75014 Paris, France;
- Correspondence:
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Current Understanding of Neurofibromatosis Type 1, 2, and Schwannomatosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115850. [PMID: 34072574 PMCID: PMC8198724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by the development of tumors of the central or peripheral nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and bones. There are three types of NF: NF1 accounting for 96% of all cases, NF2 in 3%, and schwannomatosis (SWN) in <1%. The NF1 gene is located on chromosome 17q11.2, which encodes for a tumor suppressor protein, neurofibromin, that functions as a negative regulator of Ras/MAPK and PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways. The NF2 gene is identified on chromosome 22q12, which encodes for merlin, a tumor suppressor protein related to ezrin-radixin-moesin that modulates the activity of PI3K/AKT, Raf/MEK/ERK, and mTOR signaling pathways. In contrast, molecular insights on the different forms of SWN remain unclear. Inactivating mutations in the tumor suppressor genes SMARCB1 and LZTR1 are considered responsible for a majority of cases. Recently, treatment strategies to target specific genetic or molecular events involved in their tumorigenesis are developed. This study discusses molecular pathways and related targeted therapies for NF1, NF2, and SWN and reviews recent clinical trials which involve NF patients.
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Güneş N, Yeşil G, Geyik F, Kasap B, Celkan T, Kebudi R, Tüysüz B. Neurofibromatosis type 1: Expanded variant spectrum with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and genotype-phenotype correlation in 138 Turkish patients. Ann Hum Genet 2021; 85:155-165. [PMID: 33877690 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the variant spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations in a Turkish cohort with Neurofibromatosis Type-1 (NF1). MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively investigated the clinical and molecular data of 138 NF1 patients from 129 families who had been followed-up for a median of 3.9 (1.25-18.5) years. RESULTS NF1 sequencing revealed 73 different intragenic variants, 19 of which were novel. Seven large deletions were detected by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analyses. The total detection rate of pathogenic NF1 variants was found to be 87.1%. Comparing age groups, cutaneous neurofibromas, freckling, and Lisch nodules were more prevalent in patients older than 12 years (p > .05). Optic glioma detected in 17.3% of the patients and was significantly more common before the age of 6 (p > .001). Other solid tumors developed in 5% of the patients. There was no genotype-phenotype correlation between patients with truncating and nontruncating variants. However, six out of seven patients with large deletions had significant developmental delay, one patient with the c.2970_2972delAAT (p.Met992del) variant had only typical pigmentary features, and another patient with the c.4267A > G (p.Lys1423Glu) variant had CALMs, freckling, neurofibromas, and Noonan-like phenotype. CONCLUSIONS We described 19 novel variants and seven large deletions in NF1. Applying MLPA assay in NF1 is useful in expanding the molecular diagnosis. Although very limited genotype-phenotype correlation has been reported in NF1, the fact that specific phenotypic findings were observed in our patients with large deletions and two intragenic variants supports the studies published recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Güneş
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Genetics, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gözde Yeşil
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Filiz Geyik
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Genetics, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Büşra Kasap
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Genetics, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tiraje Celkan
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul
| | - Rejin Kebudi
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Istanbul University, Oncology Institute, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Beyhan Tüysüz
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatric Genetics, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
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Affiliation(s)
- Thierry Alcindor
- Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Cedars Cancer Center, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Morbidoni V, Baschiera E, Forzan M, Fumini V, Ali DS, Giorgi G, Buson L, Desbats MA, Cassina M, Clementi M, Salviati L, Trevisson E. Hybrid Minigene Assay: An Efficient Tool to Characterize mRNA Splicing Profiles of NF1 Variants. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13050999. [PMID: 33673681 PMCID: PMC7957615 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13050999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is caused by heterozygous loss of function mutations in the NF1 gene. Although patients are diagnosed according to clinical criteria and few genotype-phenotype correlations are known, molecular analysis remains important. NF1 displays allelic heterogeneity, with a high proportion of variants affecting splicing, including deep intronic alleles and changes outside the canonical splice sites, making validation problematic. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies integrated with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) have largely overcome RNA-based techniques but do not detect splicing defects. A rapid minigene-based system was set up to test the effects of NF1 variants on splicing. We investigated 29 intronic and exonic NF1 variants identified in patients during the diagnostic process. The minigene assay showed the coexistence of multiple mechanisms of splicing alterations for seven variants. A leaky effect on splicing was documented in one de novo substitution detected in a sporadic patient with a specific phenotype without neurofibromas. Our splicing assay proved to be a reliable and fast method to validate novel NF1 variants potentially affecting splicing and to detect hypomorphic effects that might have phenotypic consequences, avoiding the requirement of patient's RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Morbidoni
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica—IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Elisa Baschiera
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica—IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Monica Forzan
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Valentina Fumini
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Dario Seif Ali
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Gianpietro Giorgi
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Lisa Buson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica—IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Andrea Desbats
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica—IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Cassina
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Maurizio Clementi
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Leonardo Salviati
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica—IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
| | - Eva Trevisson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (V.M.); (E.B.); (M.F.); (V.F.); (D.S.A.); (G.G.); (L.B.); (M.A.D.); (M.C.); (M.C.); (L.S.)
- Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica—IRP, Fondazione Città della Speranza, 35127 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: + 39-(04)-9821-1402
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Lu YT, Zhang D, Liu XC, Zhang QY, Dong XQ, Fan P, Xiao Y, Zhou XL. Identification of NF1 Frameshift Variants in Two Chinese Families With Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Early-Onset Hypertension. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:785982. [PMID: 34988040 PMCID: PMC8721095 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.785982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. It is characterized by multiple café-au-lait macules, cutaneous neurofibromas, optic glioma, Lisch nodules, and axillary and inguinal freckling. The aim of this study was to investigate NF1 mutations in two Chinese families with NF-1 who presented with early-onset hypertension, and to determine the prevalence of hypertension associated with NF-1 to better understand this complication. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed for the probands with NF-1 from two unrelated families. Possible pathogenic mutation was predicted by bioinformatic tools. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm candidate variants in all available individuals for familial co-segregation analysis. We also performed a systematic literature review of studies that reported the prevalence of hypertension in patients with NF-1. Results: In family 1, a recurrent mutation c.6789_6792delTTAC in NF1 was identified in the proband but in no other family members, indicating that this is a de novo mutation. In family 2, a novel mutation c.6934_6936delGCAinsTGCT in NF1 was detected in the proband and two other family members, which co-segregated with the disease phenotype within the family. Both mutations were predicted to be pathogenic by bioinformatic analysis. We found hypertension was a relatively common complication of NF-1, with a prevalence range of 6.1-23.4%. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a stable method for detecting initial alterations of the blood pressure pattern, particularly for pre-hypertension. Conclusions: We identified one recurrent (c.6789_6792delTTAC) and one novel frame-shift mutation (c.6934_6936delGCAinsTGCT) in two unrelated families with NF-1 using whole-exome sequencing. In consideration of phenotypic heterogeneity in NF-1, genetic testing is a robust tool which helps early and accurate diagnosis. Because hypertension is not a rare complication of NF-1, routine screening for hypertension in patients with NF-1, especially children and adolescents, is important to avoid serious cardiovascular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ting Lu
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Di Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xin-Chang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong-Yu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Qi Dong
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Fan
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Xiao
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xian-Liang Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Kluwe L, Mautner VF. Empirically downgrading 10 constitutional missense variants of the NF1 gene based on co-existing truncating variants. Am J Med Genet A 2020; 185:602-603. [PMID: 33231931 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lan Kluwe
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Victor F Mautner
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Legius E, Brems H. Genetic basis of neurofibromatosis type 1 and related conditions, including mosaicism. Childs Nerv Syst 2020; 36:2285-2295. [PMID: 32601904 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-020-04771-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a frequent autosomal dominant disorder characterised by café-au-lait maculae (CALM), skinfold freckling, iris Lisch nodules and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours (neurofibromas). MECHANISM The NF1 gene is a tumour suppressor gene and NF1 individuals have an increased risk for a long list of tumours, all resulting from a second hit in the normal copy of the NF1 gene. Remarkably, some non-tumour phenotypes such as CALM and pseudarthrosis are also caused by a "second hit". Germline mutations inactivating the NF1 gene show a large variability in genetic mechanisms ranging from single-nucleotide substitutions and somatic mosaicism to large deletions affecting neighbouring genes. Molecular confirmation of the clinical diagnosis is becoming increasingly more important to differentiate NF1 from other syndromes such as Legius syndrome, to investigate genotype-phenotype correlations relevant in 10% of cases and to detect somatic mosaicism. SURVEILLANCE AND THERAPY Some degree of learning difficulties, attention deficit and social problems are observed in most children and affect quality of life. There is a large individual variability in complications and the evolution of the disease is difficult to predict. Specialised outpatient clinics for children have been widely established and are important for surveillance and guidance. Regular surveillance is also important for adolescents and adults because many tumour complications can be detected by whole-body MRI and treated even before symptoms develop and irreversible damage occurs. Recent data on nodular plexiform neurofibromas with continued growth in adolescents and young adults show that many of these tumours are premalignant lesions called atypical neurofibromatous neoplasm of uncertain biological potential (ANNUBP). Specific surveillance and timely local resection of these benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours might be important to prevent malignant degeneration. In the last years, targeted therapy with MEK inhibitors has shown promise to treat unresectable and symptomatic plexiform neurofibromas. Many more challenges remain to find the best way to monitor children and adults for potential complications and to find a satisfying cure for many complications in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Legius
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Hilde Brems
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Tabata MM, Li S, Knight P, Bakker A, Sarin KY. Phenotypic heterogeneity of neurofibromatosis type 1 in a large international registry. JCI Insight 2020; 5:136262. [PMID: 32814709 PMCID: PMC7455126 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.136262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by the development of benign and malignant nerve tumors. Although all individuals with NF1 harbor genetic alterations in the same gene, the clinical manifestations of NF1 are extremely heterogeneous even among individuals who carry identical genetic defects. In order to deepen the understanding of phenotypic manifestations in NF1, we comprehensively characterized the prevalence of 18 phenotypic traits in 2051 adults with NF1 from the Children's Tumor Foundation's NF1 registry. We further investigated the coassociation of traits and found positive correlations between spinal neurofibromas and pain, spinal neurofibromas and scoliosis, spinal neurofibromas and optic gliomas, and optic gliomas and sphenoid wing dysplasia. Furthermore, with increasing numbers of cutaneous neurofibromas, the odds ratio of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor increased. Phenotypic clustering revealed 6 phenotypic patient cluster subtypes: mild, freckling predominant, neurofibroma predominant, skeletal predominant, late-onset neural severe, and early-onset neural severe, highlighting potential phenotypic subtypes within NF1. Together, our results support potential shared molecular pathogenesis for certain clinical manifestations and illustrate the utility of disease registries for understanding rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika M. Tabata
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Shufeng Li
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Pamela Knight
- Children’s Tumor Foundation, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Kavita Y. Sarin
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Redwood City, California, USA
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Preventative Effect of Mebendazole against Malignancies in Neurofibromatosis 1. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11070762. [PMID: 32650362 PMCID: PMC7397152 DOI: 10.3390/genes11070762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with RASopathy Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) are at a markedly increased risk of the development of benign and malignant tumors. Malignant tumors are often recalcitrant to treatments and associated with poor survival; however, no chemopreventative strategies currently exist. We thus evaluated the effect of mebendazole, alone or in combination with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, on the prevention of NF1-related malignancies in a cisNf1+/−;Tp53+/− (NPcis) mouse model of NF1. Our in vitro findings showed that mebendazole (MBZ) inhibits the growth of NF1-related malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) through a reduction in activated guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound Ras. The daily MBZ treatment of NPcis mice dosed at 195 mg/kg daily, initiated 60 days after birth, substantially delayed the formation of solid malignancies and increased median survival (p < 0.0001). Compared to placebo-treated mice, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) levels were decreased in the malignancies of MBZ-treated mice. The combination of MBZ with COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib (CXB) further enhanced the chemopreventative effect in female mice beyond each drug alone. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of a prevention strategy for malignancy development in high-risk NF1 individuals.
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From Genes to -Omics: The Evolving Molecular Landscape of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11060691. [PMID: 32599735 PMCID: PMC7349243 DOI: 10.3390/genes11060691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are rare, aggressive soft tissue sarcomas that occur with significantly increased incidence in people with the neuro-genetic syndrome neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). These complex karyotype sarcomas are often difficult to resect completely due to the involvement of neurovascular bundles, and are relatively chemotherapy- and radiation-insensitive. The lifetime risk of developing MPNST in the NF1 population has led to great efforts to characterize the genetic changes that drive the development of these tumors and identify mutations that may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Advancements in genetic sequencing and genomic technologies have greatly enhanced researchers’ abilities to broadly and deeply investigate aberrations in human MPNST genomes. Here, we review genetic sequencing efforts in human MPNST samples over the past three decades. Particularly for NF1-associated MPNST, these overall sequencing efforts have converged on a set of four common genetic changes that occur in most MPNST, including mutations in neurofibromin 1 (NF1), CDKN2A, TP53, and members of the polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2). However, broader genomic studies have also identified recurrent but less prevalent genetic variants in human MPNST that also contribute to the molecular landscape of MPNST and may inform further research. Future studies to further define the molecular landscape of human MPNST should focus on collaborative efforts across multiple institutions in order to maximize information gathered from large numbers of well-annotated MPNST patient samples, both in the NF1 and the sporadic MPNST populations.
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Zhang Z, Chen X, Zhou R, Yin H, Xu J. Chinese patient with neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome caused by novel heterozygous NF1 exons 1-58 deletion: a case report. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:190. [PMID: 32357851 PMCID: PMC7193357 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02102-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome (NFNS) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary disease. We present a case of NFNS due to the heterozygous deletion of exons 1-58 of the NF1 gene on chromosome 17 in a 15-month-old boy. CASE PRESENTATION A 15-month-old boy was admitted for motor and language developmental delay, numerous café-au-lait spots, hypertelorism, left blepharoptosis, pectus excavatum, cryptorchidism, secondary atrial septal defect, and UBOs (undefined bright objects) revealed by cranial MRI T2FLAIR in basal ganglia and cerebellum. Using whole exome sequencing, we identified a de novo heterozygous deletion including exons 1-58 of the NF1 gene. CONCLUSION Although genetic tests are useful tools for diagnosis of NFNS, NF1, or NS, comprehensive analysis of genetic factors and phenotypes is indispensable in the clinical practice. To the best of our knowledge, this case presents the first Chinese NFNS case due to NF1 defects, and the NF1 exons 1-58 deletion-related phenotype is unlike any other reported case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, China.
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, China
| | - Huaixiang Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, 233004, Anhui, China.
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Anastasaki C, Wegscheid ML, Hartigan K, Papke JB, Kopp ND, Chen J, Cobb O, Dougherty JD, Gutmann DH. Human iPSC-Derived Neurons and Cerebral Organoids Establish Differential Effects of Germline NF1 Gene Mutations. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 14:541-550. [PMID: 32243842 PMCID: PMC7160375 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a spectrum of distinct germline NF1 gene mutations, traditionally viewed as equivalent loss-of-function alleles. To specifically address the issue of mutational equivalency in a disease with considerable clinical heterogeneity, we engineered seven isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell lines, each with a different NF1 patient NF1 mutation, to identify potential differential effects of NF1 mutations on human central nervous system cells and tissues. Although all mutations increased proliferation and RAS activity in 2D neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and astrocytes, we observed striking differences between NF1 mutations on 2D NPC dopamine levels, and 3D NPC proliferation, apoptosis, and neuronal differentiation in developing cerebral organoids. Together, these findings demonstrate differential effects of NF1 gene mutations at the cellular and tissue levels, suggesting that the germline NF1 gene mutation is one factor that underlies clinical variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Anastasaki
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michelle L Wegscheid
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kelly Hartigan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jason B Papke
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nathan D Kopp
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jiayang Chen
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Olivia Cobb
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David H Gutmann
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Box 8111, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Witkowski L, Dillon MW, Murphy E, S Lebo M, Mason-Suares H. Expanding the Noonan spectrum/RASopathy NGS panel: Benefits of adding NF1 and SPRED1. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2020; 8:e1180. [PMID: 32107864 PMCID: PMC7196473 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background RASopathies are a group of disorders caused by disruptions to the RAS‒MAPK pathway. Despite being in the same pathway, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and Legius syndrome (LS) typically present with phenotypes distinct from Noonan spectrum disorders (NSDs). However, some NF1/LS individuals also exhibit NSD phenotypes, often referred to as Neurofibromatosis‐Noonan syndrome (NFNS), and may be mistakenly evaluated for NSDs, delaying diagnosis, and affecting patient management. Methods A derivation cohort of 28 patients with a prior negative NSD panel and either NFNS or a suspicion of NSD and café‐au‐lait spots underwent NF1 and SPRED1 sequencing. To further determine the utility and burden of adding these genes, a validation cohort of 505 patients with a suspected RASopathy were tested on a 14‐gene RASopathy‐associated panel. Results In the derivation cohort, six (21%) patients had disease‐causing NF1 or SPRED1 variants. In the validation cohort, 11 (2%) patients had disease‐causing variants and 15 (3%) had variants of uncertain significance in NF1 or SPRED1. Of those with disease‐causing variants, 5/17 only had an NSD diagnosis. Conclusions Adding NF1 and SPRED1 to RASopathy panels can speed diagnosis and improve patient management, without significantly increasing the burden of inconclusive results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leora Witkowski
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mitchell W Dillon
- Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elissa Murphy
- Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew S Lebo
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Heather Mason-Suares
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Implicates Ras Pathways in the Genetic Architecture of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Behav Genet 2020; 50:191-202. [DOI: 10.1007/s10519-020-09991-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Examination of the genetic factors underlying the cognitive variability associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. Genet Med 2020; 22:889-897. [PMID: 32015538 PMCID: PMC7200599 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-0752-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder associated with cognitive deficits. The NF1 cognitive phenotype is generally considered to be highly variable, possibly due to the observed T2-weighted hyperintensities, loss of heterozygosity, NF1-specific genetic modifiers, or allelic imbalance. Methods We investigated cognitive variability and assessed the contribution of genetic factors by performing a retrospective cohort study and a monozygotic twin case series. We included data of 497 children with genetically confirmed NF1 and an IQ assessment, including 12 monozygotic twin and 17 sibling sets. Results Individuals carrying an NF1 chromosomal microdeletion showed significant lower full-scale IQ (FSIQ) scores than individuals carrying intragenic pathogenic NF1 variants. For the intragenic subgroup, the variability in cognitive ability and the correlation of IQ between monozygotic NF1 twin pairs or between NF1 siblings is similar to the general population. Conclusions The variance and heritability of IQ in individuals with NF1 are similar to that of the general population, and hence mostly driven by genetic background differences. The only factor that significantly attenuates IQ in NF1 individuals is the NF1 chromosomal microdeletion genotype. Implications for clinical management are that individuals with intragenic NF1 variants that score <1.5–2 SD below the mean of the NF1 population should be screened for additional causes of cognitive disability.
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In-silico Analysis of NF1 Missense Variants in ClinVar: Translating Variant Predictions into Variant Interpretation and Classification. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030721. [PMID: 31979111 PMCID: PMC7037781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: With the advent of next-generation sequencing in genetic testing, predicting the pathogenicity of missense variants represents a major challenge potentially leading to misdiagnoses in the clinical setting. In neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), where clinical criteria for diagnosis may not be fully present until late infancy, correct assessment of variant pathogenicity is fundamental for appropriate patients' management. Methods: Here, we analyzed three different computational methods, VEST3, REVEL and ClinPred, and after extracting predictions scores for 1585 NF1 missense variants listed in ClinVar, evaluated their performances and the score distribution throughout the neurofibromin protein. Results: For all the three methods, no significant differences were present between the scores of "likely benign", "benign", and "likely pathogenic", "pathogenic" variants that were consequently collapsed into a single category. The cutoff values for pathogenicity were significantly different for the three methods and among benign and pathogenic variants for all methods. After training five different models with a subset of benign and pathogenic variants, we could reclassify variants in three sharply separated categories. Conclusions: The recently developed metapredictors, which integrate information from multiple components, after gene-specific fine-tuning, could represent useful tools for variant interpretation, particularly in genetic diseases where a clinical diagnosis can be difficult.
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Koczkowska M, Callens T, Chen Y, Gomes A, Hicks AD, Sharp A, Johns E, Uhas KA, Armstrong L, Bosanko KA, Babovic‐Vuksanovic D, Baker L, Basel DG, Bengala M, Bennett JT, Chambers C, Clarkson LK, Clementi M, Cortés FM, Cunningham M, D'Agostino MD, Delatycki MB, Digilio MC, Dosa L, Esposito S, Fox S, Freckmann M, Fauth C, Giugliano T, Giustini S, Goetsch A, Goldberg Y, Greenwood RS, Griffis C, Gripp KW, Gupta P, Haan E, Hachen RK, Haygarth TL, Hernández‐Chico C, Hodge K, Hopkin RJ, Hudgins L, Janssens S, Keller K, Kelly‐Mancuso G, Kochhar A, Korf BR, Lewis AM, Liebelt J, Lichty A, Listernick RH, Lyons MJ, Maystadt I, Martinez Ojeda M, McDougall C, McGregor LK, Melis D, Mendelsohn N, Nowaczyk MJ, Ortenberg J, Panzer K, Pappas JG, Pierpont ME, Piluso G, Pinna V, Pivnick EK, Pond DA, Powell CM, Rogers C, Ruhrman Shahar N, Rutledge SL, Saletti V, Sandaradura SA, Santoro C, Schatz UA, Schreiber A, Scott DA, Sellars EA, Sheffer R, Siqveland E, Slopis JM, Smith R, Spalice A, Stockton DW, Streff H, Theos A, Tomlinson GE, Tran G, Trapane PL, Trevisson E, Ullrich NJ, Van den Ende J, Schrier Vergano SA, Wallace SE, Wangler MF, Weaver DD, Yohay KH, Zackai E, Zonana J, Zurcher V, Claes KBM, Eoli M, Martin Y, Wimmer K, De Luca A, Legius E, Messiaen LM. Clinical spectrum of individuals with pathogenic NF1 missense variants affecting p.Met1149, p.Arg1276, and p.Lys1423: genotype-phenotype study in neurofibromatosis type 1. Hum Mutat 2020; 41:299-315. [PMID: 31595648 PMCID: PMC6973139 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We report 281 individuals carrying a pathogenic recurrent NF1 missense variant at p.Met1149, p.Arg1276, or p.Lys1423, representing three nontruncating NF1 hotspots in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) cohort, together identified in 1.8% of unrelated NF1 individuals. About 25% (95% confidence interval: 20.5-31.2%) of individuals heterozygous for a pathogenic NF1 p.Met1149, p.Arg1276, or p.Lys1423 missense variant had a Noonan-like phenotype, which is significantly more compared with the "classic" NF1-affected cohorts (all p < .0001). Furthermore, p.Arg1276 and p.Lys1423 pathogenic missense variants were associated with a high prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities, including pulmonic stenosis (all p < .0001), while p.Arg1276 variants had a high prevalence of symptomatic spinal neurofibromas (p < .0001) compared with "classic" NF1-affected cohorts. However, p.Met1149-positive individuals had a mild phenotype, characterized mainly by pigmentary manifestations without externally visible plexiform neurofibromas, symptomatic spinal neurofibromas or symptomatic optic pathway gliomas. As up to 0.4% of unrelated individuals in the UAB cohort carries a p.Met1149 missense variant, this finding will contribute to more accurate stratification of a significant number of NF1 individuals. Although clinically relevant genotype-phenotype correlations are rare in NF1, each affecting only a small percentage of individuals, together they impact counseling and management of a significant number of the NF1 population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tom Callens
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | - Yunjia Chen
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | - Alicia Gomes
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | - Alesha D. Hicks
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | - Angela Sharp
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | - Eric Johns
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | | | - Linlea Armstrong
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Women's HospitalUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBritish ColumbiaCanada
| | - Katherine Armstrong Bosanko
- Division of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, Arkansas Children's HospitalUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansas
| | | | - Laura Baker
- Division of Medical GeneticsAl DuPont Hospital for ChildrenWilmingtonDelaware
| | | | - Mario Bengala
- U.O.C Laboratorio di Genetica Medica, Dipartimento di OncoematologiaFondazione Policlinico di Tor VergataRomeItaly
| | - James T. Bennett
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashington
| | - Chelsea Chambers
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Virginia Medical CenterCharlottesvilleVirginia
| | | | - Maurizio Clementi
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | | | - Mitch Cunningham
- Division of Genetic, Genomic, and Metabolic Disorders, Detroit Medical CenterChildren's Hospital of MichiganDetroitMichigan
| | | | - Martin B. Delatycki
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health ResearchMurdoch Childrens Research InstituteParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Maria C. Digilio
- Medical Genetics Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's HospitalIRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Laura Dosa
- SOC Genetica MedicaAOU MeyerFlorenceItaly
| | - Silvia Esposito
- Developmental Neurology UnitFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Stephanie Fox
- Division of Medical GeneticsMcGill University Health CentreMontréalQuebecCanada
| | - Mary‐Louise Freckmann
- Department of Clinical GeneticsRoyal North Shore HospitalSt LeonardsNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Christine Fauth
- Division of Human GeneticsMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Teresa Giugliano
- Department of Precision MedicineUniversità degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Sandra Giustini
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Policlinico Umberto ISapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - Allison Goetsch
- Department of PediatricsNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | - Yael Goldberg
- The Raphael Recanati Genetics InstituteRabin Medical CenterPetah TikvaIsrael
| | - Robert S. Greenwood
- Division of Child NeurologyUniversity of North Carolina School of MedicineChapel HillNorth Carolina
| | | | - Karen W. Gripp
- Division of Medical GeneticsAl DuPont Hospital for ChildrenWilmingtonDelaware
| | - Punita Gupta
- Neurofibromatosis Diagnostic and Treatment ProgramSt. Joseph's Children's HospitalPatersonNew Jersey
| | - Eric Haan
- Adult Genetics UnitRoyal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Rachel K. Hachen
- Neurofibromatosis ProgramChildren's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Tamara L. Haygarth
- Carolinas HealthCare SystemLevine Children's Specialty CenterCharlotteNorth Carolina
| | - Concepción Hernández‐Chico
- Department of Genetics, Hospital Universitario Ramón y CajalInstitute of Health Research (IRYCIS) and Center for Biomedical Research‐Network of Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
| | - Katelyn Hodge
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndiana
| | - Robert J. Hopkin
- Division of Human GeneticsCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOhio
| | - Louanne Hudgins
- Division of Medical GeneticsStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCalifornia
| | - Sandra Janssens
- Center for Medical GeneticsGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Kory Keller
- Department of Molecular and Medical GeneticsOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandOregon
| | | | - Aaina Kochhar
- Department of Medical Genetics and MetabolismValley Children's HealthcareMaderaCalifornia
| | - Bruce R. Korf
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | - Andrea M. Lewis
- Department of Molecular and Human GeneticsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexas
| | - Jan Liebelt
- The South Australian Clinical Genetics Service at the Women's and Children's HospitalNorth AdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - Robert H. Listernick
- Department of PediatricsNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinois
| | | | - Isabelle Maystadt
- Center for Human GeneticsInstitute of Pathology and Genetics (IPG)GosseliesBelgium
| | | | - Carey McDougall
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaUniversity of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Lesley K. McGregor
- The South Australian Clinical Genetics Service at the Women's and Children's HospitalNorth AdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Daniela Melis
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Translational Medical SciencesFederico II UniversityNaplesItaly
| | - Nancy Mendelsohn
- Genomics Medicine ProgramChildren's Hospital MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
| | | | - June Ortenberg
- Division of Medical GeneticsMcGill University Health CentreMontréalQuebecCanada
| | - Karin Panzer
- University of Iowa Stead Family Children's HospitalIowa CityIowa
| | - John G. Pappas
- Division of Clinical Genetic Services, Department of PediatricsNYU School of MedicineNew YorkNew York
| | - Mary Ella Pierpont
- Department of Pediatrics and OpthalmologyUniversity of MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
| | - Giulio Piluso
- Department of Precision MedicineUniversità degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Valentina Pinna
- Molecular Genetics UnitIRCCS Casa Sollievo della SofferenzaSan Giovanni RotondoFoggiaItaly
| | - Eniko K. Pivnick
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of OphthalmologyUniversity of Tennessee Health Science CenterMemphisTennessee
| | - Dinel A. Pond
- Genomics Medicine ProgramChildren's Hospital MinnesotaMinneapolisMinnesota
| | - Cynthia M. Powell
- Department of Genetics and Department of PediatricsUniversity of North Carolina School of MedicineChapel HillNorth Carolina
| | - Caleb Rogers
- Department of Molecular and Medical GeneticsOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandOregon
| | - Noa Ruhrman Shahar
- The Raphael Recanati Genetics InstituteRabin Medical CenterPetah TikvaIsrael
| | - S. Lane Rutledge
- Department of GeneticsUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlbama
| | - Veronica Saletti
- Developmental Neurology UnitFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Sarah A. Sandaradura
- Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Children's Hospital at WestmeadUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Claudia Santoro
- Specialistic and General Surgery Unit, Department of Woman and Child, Referral Centre of NeurofibromatosisUniversità degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Ulrich A. Schatz
- Division of Human GeneticsMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | | | - Daryl A. Scott
- Department of Molecular and Human GeneticsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexas
| | - Elizabeth A. Sellars
- Division of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, Arkansas Children's HospitalUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansas
| | - Ruth Sheffer
- Department of Genetics and Metabolic DiseasesHadassah‐Hebrew University Medical CenterJerusalemIsrael
| | | | - John M. Slopis
- Department of Neuro‐OncologyThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexas
| | - Rosemarie Smith
- Division of Genetics, Department of PediatricsMaine Medical CenterPortlandMaine
| | - Alberto Spalice
- Child Neurology Division, Department of PediatricsSapienza University of RomeRomeItaly
| | - David W. Stockton
- Division of Genetic, Genomic, and Metabolic Disorders, Detroit Medical CenterChildren's Hospital of MichiganDetroitMichigan
| | - Haley Streff
- Department of Molecular and Human GeneticsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexas
| | - Amy Theos
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabama
| | - Gail E. Tomlinson
- Division of Pediatric Hematology–Oncology, Greehey Children's Cancer Research InstituteThe University of Texas Health Science CenterSan AntonioTexas
| | - Grace Tran
- Department of Clinical Cancer GeneticsThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTexas
| | - Pamela L. Trapane
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Department of PediatricsUniversity of Florida College of MedicineJacksonvilleFlorida
| | - Eva Trevisson
- Clinical Genetics Unit, Department of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of PadovaPadovaItaly
| | - Nicole J. Ullrich
- Department of NeurologyBoston Children's HospitalBostonMassachusetts
| | - Jenneke Van den Ende
- Center for Medical GeneticsUniversity of Antwerp and Antwerp University HospitalAntwerpBelgium
| | | | - Stephanie E. Wallace
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of PediatricsUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashington
| | - Michael F. Wangler
- Department of Molecular and Human GeneticsBaylor College of MedicineHoustonTexas
| | - David D. Weaver
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndiana
| | - Kaleb H. Yohay
- Department of Neurology, New York University School of MedicineLangone Medical CenterNew YorkNew York
| | - Elaine Zackai
- Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaUniversity of Pennsylvania School of MedicinePhiladelphiaPennsylvania
| | - Jonathan Zonana
- Department of Molecular and Medical GeneticsOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandOregon
| | | | | | - Marica Eoli
- Division of Molecular Neuro‐OncologyFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Yolanda Martin
- Department of Genetics, Hospital Universitario Ramón y CajalInstitute of Health Research (IRYCIS) and Center for Biomedical Research‐Network of Rare Diseases (CIBERER)MadridSpain
| | - Katharina Wimmer
- Division of Human GeneticsMedical University of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Alessandro De Luca
- Molecular Genetics UnitIRCCS Casa Sollievo della SofferenzaSan Giovanni RotondoFoggiaItaly
| | - Eric Legius
- Department of Human GeneticsKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
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Melloni G, Eoli M, Cesaretti C, Bianchessi D, Ibba MC, Esposito S, Scuvera G, Morcaldi G, Micheli R, Piozzi E, Avignone S, Chiapparini L, Pantaleoni C, Natacci F, Finocchiaro G, Saletti V. Risk of Optic Pathway Glioma in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: No Evidence of Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in A Large Independent Cohort. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11121838. [PMID: 31766501 PMCID: PMC6966666 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11121838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) still raises many questions regarding screening and surveillance because of the lack of robust prognostic factors. Recent studies of an overall cohort of 381 patients have suggested that the genotype may be the main determinant of the development of OPG, with the risk being higher in patients harbouring NF1 mutations in the 5’ tertile and the cysteine/serine-rich domain. In an attempt to confirm this hypothesis, we used strict criteria to select a large independent cohort of 309 NF1 patients with defined constitutional NF1 mutations and appropriate brain images (255 directly enrolled and 54 as a result of a literature search). One hundred and thirty-two patients had OPG and 177 did not. The association of the position (tertiles and functional domains) and type of NF1 mutation with the development of OPG was analysed using the χ2 test and Fisher’s exact probability test; odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and Bonferroni’s correction for multiple comparisons was applied; multiple logistic regression was also used to study genotype–phenotype associations further. Our findings show no significant correlation between the site/type of NF1 mutation and the risk of OPG, and thus do not support the hypothesis that certain constitutional mutations provide prognostic information in this regard. In addition, we combined our cohort with a previously described cohort of 381 patients for a total of 690 patients and statistically re-analysed the results. The re-analysis confirmed that there were no correlations between the site (tertile and domain) and the risk of OPG, thus further strengthening our conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Melloni
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (G.M.); (S.E.); (C.P.)
| | - Marica Eoli
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (M.E.); (D.B.); (M.C.I.); (G.F.)
| | - Claudia Cesaretti
- Medical Genetics Unit, Woman-Child-Newborn Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.C.); (F.N.)
| | - Donatella Bianchessi
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (M.E.); (D.B.); (M.C.I.); (G.F.)
| | - Maria Cristina Ibba
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (M.E.); (D.B.); (M.C.I.); (G.F.)
| | - Silvia Esposito
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (G.M.); (S.E.); (C.P.)
| | - Giulietta Scuvera
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Pediatric Highly Intensive Care Unit, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Guido Morcaldi
- Paediatric Neurology and Neuromuscular Disorders, University of Genoa and Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Via Gerolamo Gaslini 5, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Roberto Micheli
- Pediatric Neuropsychiatry, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25125 Brescia, Italy;
| | - Elena Piozzi
- Pediatric Department, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Piazza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20162 Milan, Italy;
| | - Sabrina Avignone
- Neuroradiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, via Francesco Sforza 28, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Luisa Chiapparini
- Neuroradiology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy;
| | - Chiara Pantaleoni
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (G.M.); (S.E.); (C.P.)
| | - Federica Natacci
- Medical Genetics Unit, Woman-Child-Newborn Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, via Francesco Sforza 28, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.C.); (F.N.)
| | - Gaetano Finocchiaro
- Molecular Neuro-Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (M.E.); (D.B.); (M.C.I.); (G.F.)
| | - Veronica Saletti
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Celoria 11, 20121 Milan, Italy; (G.M.); (S.E.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence:
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Isoform-specific NF1 mRNA levels correlate with disease severity in Neurofibromatosis type 1. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2019; 14:261. [PMID: 31730495 PMCID: PMC6858644 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-1223-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is characterized by an extreme clinical variability both within and between families that cannot be explained solely by the nature of the pathogenic NF1 gene mutations. A proposed model hypothesizes that variation in the levels of protein isoforms generated via alternative transcript processing acts as modifier and contributes to phenotypic variability. Results Here we used real-time quantitative PCR to investigate the levels of two major NF1 mRNA isoforms encoding proteins differing in their ability to control RAS signaling (isoforms I and II) in the peripheral blood leukocytes of 138 clinically well-characterized NF1 patients and 138 aged-matched healthy controls. As expected, expression analysis showed that NF1 isoforms I and II levels were significantly lower in patients than controls. Notably, these differences were more evident when patients were stratified according to the severity of phenotype. Moreover, a correlation was identified when comparing the levels of isoform I mRNA and the severity of NF1 features, with statistically significant lower levels associated with a severe phenotype (i.e., occurrence of learning disability/intellectual disability, optic gliomas and/or other neoplasias, and/or cerebrovascular disease) as well as in patients with cognitive impairment. Conclusions The present findings provide preliminary evidence for a role of circuits controlling NF1 transcript processing in modulating NF1 expressivity, and document an association between the levels of neurofibromin isoform I mRNA and the severity of phenotype and cognitive impairment in NF1.
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Optic Pathway Glioma in Type 1 Neurofibromatosis: Review of Its Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Assessment, and Treatment Recommendations. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111790. [PMID: 31739524 PMCID: PMC6896195 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1) is a dominantly inherited condition predisposing to tumor development. Optic pathway glioma (OPG) is the most frequent central nervous system tumor in children with NF1, affecting approximately 15-20% of patients. The lack of well-established prognostic markers and the wide clinical variability with respect to tumor progression and visual outcome make the clinical management of these tumors challenging, with significant differences among distinct centers. We reviewed published articles on OPG diagnostic protocol, follow-up and treatment in NF1. Cohorts of NF1 children with OPG reported in the literature and patients prospectively collected in our center were analyzed with regard to clinical data, tumor anatomical site, diagnostic workflow, treatment and outcome. In addition, we discussed the recent findings on the pathophysiology of OPG development in NF1. This review provides a comprehensive overview about the clinical management of NF1-associated OPG, focusing on the most recent advances from preclinical studies with genetically engineered models and the ongoing clinical trials.
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