Infantile bilateral glaucoma in a child with ectodermal dysplasia

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome in twelve Egyptian patients: Five novel CTSC variants and functional characterization of a missense variant and its effect on splicing

OBJECTIVES

describing the clinical features of twelve Egyptian patients with Papillon-Lefever syndrome (PLS). Five novel mutations in the cathepsin C (CTSC) gene are introduced and the phenotype of the syndrome is expanded by the identification of new clinical features.

DESIGN

the clinical, oro-dental data of twelve Egyptian patients from seven unrelated families are described. Sequence analysis of the CTSC gene was performed to identify the causative mutaions.

RESULTS

Typical PLS features were presented in all patints but with variable severity. One patient showed atypical dental features including dental structural defect, minimal periodontitis, severe gingivitis, and delayed closure of root apices. Another patient presented with arachnodactyly, dystrophic nails, and buphthalmos in the right eye secondary to uncontrolled congenital glaucoma. Mutational analysis of CTSC gene revealed seven distinct homozygous variants including five novel ones: c.285_286delGT (p.Leu96GlufsTer2), c .302 G>C (p.Trp101Ser), c.622_628delCACAGTC (p.H208Efs*11), c.1331delinsAAAAA (p.G444Efs*4) and c .1343 G>A (p.Cys448Tyr). The previously reported missense variant c .757 G>A (p.Ala253Thr) was found in one patient. This variant is very close to the splice region and by functional studies, we proved that it results in exon skipping and early protein truncation (p.R214Sfs*46).

CONCLUSION

We report five novel CTSC variants and describe rare and unusual associated clinical and dental findings such as dental structural defects, delayed closure of root apices, and congenital glaucoma. Therefore, our results expand both the phenotypic and mutational spectrum of PLS.

Identification of Key Genes Involved in Resistance to Early Stage of BmNPV Infection in Silkworms

Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) is one of the most serious pathogens restricting the sustainable development of the sericulture industry. Currently, there is no effective treatment for BmNPV infection in silkworms, and the mechanism underlying BmNPV resistance in silkworms is also not clear. In this study, comparative transcriptome analyses were carried out in midguts of two silkworm varieties, namely BaiyuN, which is a resistance variety, and Baiyu, which is a susceptible variety, at five different time points (i.e., 0, 1, 3, 6, and 9 h) post-BmNPV infection to detect the early-stage transcriptional changes in these silkworms. In total, 1911 and 1577 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the Baiyu and BaiyuN varieties, respectively, involving a total of 48 metabolic pathways. Of these pathways, eight were shared by the Baiyu and BaiyuN varieties in response to BmNPV infection. Notably, four genes (i.e., BGIBMGA08815, BGIBMGA003935, BGIBMGA003571, BGIBMGA010059) were upregulated in the Baiyu variety while downregulated in the BaiyuN variety. The inhibited expression of these four genes in the resistant variety highlighted their potential roles in the resistance of early-stage viral replication. Thus, our study provided a new avenue for the further study of the mechanism underlying BmNPV infection in silkworms and the potential treatment of BmNPV infection.

Extended Overview of Ocular Phenotype with Recent Advances in Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia

The term ectodermal dysplasias (EDs) describes a heterogeneous group of inherited developmental disorders that affect several tissues of ectodermal origin. The most common form of EDs is hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED), which is characterized by hypodontia, hypotrichosis, and partial or total eccrine sweat gland deficiency. HED is estimated to affect at least 1 in 17,000 people worldwide. Patients with HED have characteristic facies with periorbital hyperpigmentation, depressed nasal bridge, malar hypoplasia, and absent or sparse eyebrows and eyelashes. The common ocular features of HED include madarosis, trichiasis, and ocular chronic surface disease due to dry eye syndrome, which manifests clinically with discomfort, photophobia, and redness. Dry eye is common in HED and results from a combination of ocular surface defects: mucus abnormalities (abnormal conjunctival mucinous glands), aqueous tear deficiency (abnormalities in the lacrimal gland) and lipid deficiency (due to the partial or total absence of the meibomian glands; modified sebaceous glands with the tarsal plate). Sight-threatening complications result from ocular surface disease, including corneal ulceration and perforation with subsequent corneal scarring and neovascularization. Rare ocular features have been reported and include bilateral or unilateral congenital cataracts, bilateral glaucoma, chorioretinal atrophy and atresia of the nasolacrimal duct. Recognition of the ocular manifestations of HED is required to perform clinical surveillance, instigate supportive and preventative treatment, and manage ocular complications.

Gene Mutations of the Three Ectodysplasin Pathway Key Players (EDA, EDAR, and EDARADD) Account for More than 60% of Egyptian Ectodermal Dysplasia: A Report of Seven Novel Mutations

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a diverse group of genetic disorders caused by congenital defects of two or more ectodermal-derived body structures, namely, hair, teeth, nails, and some glands, e.g., sweat glands. Molecular pathogenesis of ED involves mutations of genes encoding key proteins of major developmental pathways, including ectodysplasin (EDA) and wingless-type (WNT) pathways. The most common ED phenotype is hypohidrotic/anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) featuring hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis/anhidrosis, and hypodontia. Molecular diagnosis is fundamental for disease management and emerging treatments. We used targeted next generation sequencing to study EDA, EDAR, EDARADD, and WNT10A genes in 45 Egyptian ED patients with or without hypohidrosis. We present genotype and phenotype data of 28 molecularly-characterized patients demonstrating genetic heterogeneity, variable expressivity, and intrafamilial phenotypic variability. Thirteen mutations were reported, including four novel EDA mutations, two novel EDARADD, and one novel EDAR mutations. Identified mutations congregated in exons encoding key functional domains. EDA is the most common gene contributing to 85% of the identified Egyptian ED genetic spectrum, followed by EDARADD (10%) and EDAR (5%). Our cohort represents the first and largest cohort from North Africa where more than 60% of ED patients were identified emphasizing the need for exome sequencing to explore unidentified cases.

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia: a case report

Hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a common variation of ectodermal dysplasia, characterized by hypohidrosis (or anhidrosis), hypotrichosis, hypodontia, and other distinct facial features. Furthermore, ocular tissues of ectodermal origin may also be affected in this disease. The most common ocular manifestations of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia are dry eye, madarosis, alterations in the meibomian glands, abnormalities in the nasolacrimal duct, and infantile glaucoma. Herein, author reports a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in a 12-year-old Indian boy with dry eye and lacrimal sac mucocele.

Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia: A Rare Disorder With Bilateral Infantile Glaucoma

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a disorder that occurs due to abnormalities of ectodermal structures such as skin, teeth, hair, nails, and eccrine glands. Approximately 200 different conditions have been identified as ED, the most common being hypohidrotic ED. It is characterized by hypotrichosis (sparse scalp or body hair), hypodontia (absent or malformed teeth), and hypohidrosis (reduced ability to sweat). It is also associated with distinctive facial features, such as the prominent forehead, thick lips, flattened nasal bridge, and thin wrinkled skin. Ocular anomalies are less frequently observed, the most common ones being dysplasia of the lacrimal gland or meibomian gland that leads to dry eye and variable corneal involvement. We report a case of a 9-year-old child of hypohidrotic ED presenting with bilateral infantile glaucoma managed by the implantation of glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) after a failed trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy in both eyes.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Resistant and Susceptible Bombyx mori Strains Following BmNPV Infection Provides Insights into the Antiviral Mechanisms

Purpose. To decipher transcriptomic changes and related genes with potential functions against Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus infection and to increase the understanding of the enhanced virus resistance of silkworm on the transcriptomic level. Methods. We assembled and annotated transcriptomes of the Qiufeng (susceptible to infection) and QiufengN (resistant to infection) strains and performed comparative analysis in order to decipher transcriptomic changes and related genes with potential functions against BmNPV infection. Results. A total of 78,408 SNPs were identified in the Qiufeng strain of silkworm and 56,786 SNPs were identified in QiufengN strain. Besides, novel AS events were found in these 2 strains. In addition, 1,728 DEGs were identified in the QiufengN strain compared with Qiufeng strain. These DEGs were involved in GO terms related to membrane, metabolism, binding and catalytic activity, cellular processes, and organismal systems. The highest levels of gene representation were found in oxidative phosphorylation, phagosome, TCA cycle, arginine and proline metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism. Additionally, COG analysis indicated that DEGs were involved in “amino acid transport and metabolism” and “carbohydrate transport and metabolism.” Conclusion. We identified a series of major pathological changes in silkworm following infection and several functions were related to the antiviral mechanisms of silkworm.

Effect of an EDA-A1 gene mutant on the proliferation and cell cycle distribution of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Ectodysplasin (EDA) gene mutation is associated with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ectodysplasin, transcript variant 1 (EDA-A1) on the proliferation and cell cycle of ECV304 human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Recombinant eukaryotic expression vectors containing mutant (M) and wild-type (W) EDA-A1 coding sequences, pcDNA3.1 (-)-EDA-A1-M and pcDNA3.1 (-)-EDA-A1-W, respectively, were transfected into ECV304 cells. The EDA-A1 gene was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the protein was detected by western blotting. The EDA-A1 gene and protein were detected in ECV304 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1 (-)-EDA-A1-M and pcDNA3.1 (-)-EDA-A1-W, but not in ECV304 cells transfected with empty plasmid or cells that had not undergone transfection. Compared with the control group, the EDA-A1 gene mutant significantly decreased the proliferation of ECV304 cells and its inhibition rate was 45.70% (P<0.01), whereas the wild-type EDA-A1 gene did not cause such growth inhibition (P>0.05). A significant increase of the fraction of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle was observed in the ECV304 cells of the mutant group compared with wild type group, with an increase in the S phase population and a concomitant reduction in the G2/M phase population (P<0.05). These results indicate that compared with the wild-type gene, transfection with a mutant EDA-A1 gene inhibited the proliferation and cell cycle of cultured HUVECs.

Prenatal diagnosis of single gene disorders using amniotic fluid as the starting material for PCR

A rapid and inexpensive method for fetal genetic diagnosis using amniotic fluid (AF) as the starting material was demonstrated in this study.

Phenotypic heterogeneity and mutational spectrum in a cohort of 45 Italian males subjects with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia

Ectodermal dysplasias (EDs) are a group of genetic disorders characterized by the abnormal development of the ectodermal-derived structures. X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, resulting from mutations in ED1 gene, is the most common form. The main purpose of this study was to characterize the phenotype spectrum in 45 males harboring ED1 mutations. The study showed that in addition to the involvement of the major ectodermal tissues, the majority of patients also have alterations of several minor ectodermal-derived structures. Characterizing the clinical spectrum resulting from ED1 gene mutations improves diagnosis and can direct clinical care.