Single glycine deletion in COL7A1 acting as glycine substitution in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa

Exploring potential genes and mechanisms linking erectile dysfunction and depression

Background

The clinical correlation between erectile dysfunction (ED) and depression has been revealed in cumulative studies. However, the evidence of shared mechanisms between them was insufficient. This study aimed to explore common transcriptomic alterations associated with ED and depression.

Materials and methods

The gene sets associated with ED and depression were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Comparative analysis was conducted to obtain common genes. Using R software and other appropriate tools, we conducted a range of analyses, including function enrichment, interactive network creation, gene cluster analysis, and transcriptional and post-transcriptional signature profiling. Candidate hub crosslinks between ED and depression were selected after external validation and molecular experiments. Furthermore, subpopulation location and disease association of hub genes were explored.

Results

A total of 85 common genes were identified between ED and depression. These genes strongly correlate with cell adhesion, redox homeostasis, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, and neuronal cell body. An interactive network consisting of 80 proteins and 216 interactions was thereby developed. Analysis of the proteomic signature of common genes highlighted eight major shared genes: CLDN5, COL7A1, LDHA, MAP2K2, RETSAT, SEMA3A, TAGLN, and TBC1D1. These genes were involved in blood vessel morphogenesis and muscle cell activity. A subsequent transcription factor (TF)-miRNA network showed 47 TFs and 88 miRNAs relevant to shared genes. Finally, CLDN5 and TBC1D1 were well-validated and identified as the hub crosslinks between ED and depression. These genes had specific subpopulation locations in the corpus cavernosum and brain tissue, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to investigate common transcriptomic alterations and the shared biological roles of ED and depression. The findings of this study provide insights into the referential molecular mechanisms underlying the co-existence between depression and ED.

A global, cross-sectional survey of patient-reported outcomes, disease burden, and quality of life in epidermolysis bullosa simplex

BACKGROUND

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) comprises a group of rare, blistering genodermatoses. Prior work has been limited by small sample sizes, and much remains unexplored about the disease burden and health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients with EBS. The aim of this study was to characterize the most common patient-reported clinical manifestations and the health-related impact of QOL in EBS, and to examine differences in disease burden by age.

METHODS

Patients with a diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) or their caregivers completed a one-time online survey administered by EBCare, an international online EB registry. Survey data from respondents self-reporting a diagnosis of EBS were analyzed for clinical and wound manifestations, medication use, and QOL (using Quality of Life in Epidermolysis Bullosa [QOLEB] scores). Differences across age groups were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

There were 214 survey respondents with EBS. The mean age was 32.8 years (standard deviation = 19.2). Many respondents reported blisters (93%), recurrent wounds (89%), pain (74%), chronic wounds (59%), itch (55%), and difficulty walking (44%). Mean QOLEB score was 14.7 (standard deviation = 7.5) indicating a "moderate" impact on QOL, and 12% of respondents required regular use of opiates. Findings were consistent in subgroup analyses restricted to respondents with diagnostic confirmation via genetic testing or skin biopsy (n = 63 of 214). Age-stratified analyses revealed differences in disease burden: younger respondents were more likely to self-report severe disease (24% vs. 19% vs. 5% for respondents aged 0-9 vs. 10-17 vs. 18 + , p = 0.001), failure to thrive (9% vs. 15% vs. 3%, p = 0.02), and use of gastrostomy tubes (15% vs. 12% vs. 1%, p < 0.001) and topical antibiotics (67% vs. 69% vs. 34%, p < 0.001), while older respondents were more likely to be overweight or obese (6% vs. 0% vs. 51%, p < 0.001) and have difficulty walking (24% vs. 46% vs. 48%, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In the largest international cross-sectional survey of EBS patients conducted, respondents reported extensive disease burden including significant wounding, pain, itch, difficulty walking, and impact on QOL. Age stratified disease manifestations. These findings suggest significant unmet need, and treatment and counseling for EBS patients should consider age-specific differences.