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Della Vecchia S, Tessa A, Pasquariello R, Seabra L, Crow YJ, Battini R. NOTCH1-Related Leukoencephalopathy: A Novel Variant and Literature Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2864. [PMID: 38474113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
NOTCH1-related leukoencephalopathy is a new diagnostic entity linked to heterozygous gain-of-function variants in NOTCH1 that neuroradiologically show some overlap with the inflammatory microangiopathy Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS). To report a 16-year-old boy harbouring a novel NOTCH1 mutation who presented neuroradiological features suggestive of enhanced type I interferon signalling. We describe five years of follow-up and review the current literature on NOTCH1-related leukoencephalopathy. Clinical evaluation, standardised scales (SPRS, SARA, CBCL, CDI-2:P, WISCH-IV and VABS-2) and neuroradiological studies were performed, as well as blood DNA analysis. For the literature review, a search was performed on Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science up to December 2023 using the following text word search strategy: (NOTCH1) AND (leukoencephalopathy). Our patient presents clinical features consistent with other reported cases with NOTCH1 mutations but is among the minority of patients with an onset after infancy. During the five-year follow-up, we observed an increase in the severity of spasticity and ataxia. However, at the age of 16 years, our proband is still ambulatory. As for other reported patients, he manifests psychiatric features ranging from hyperactivity during childhood to anxiety and depression during adolescence. The neuroradiological picture remained essentially stable over five years. In addition to the typical findings of leukoencephalopathy with cysts and calcifications already described, we report the presence of T2-hyperintensity and T1-hypotensity of the transverse pontine fibres, enhancement in the periventricular white matter after gadolinium administration and decreased NAA and Cho peaks in the periventricular white matter on MRS. We identified a novel heterozygous variant in NOTCH1 (c.4788_4799dup), a frame insertion located in extracellular negative regulatory region (NRR)-domain as in previously published cases. Blood interferon signalling was not elevated compared to controls. This case provides further data on a new diagnostic entity, i.e., NOTCH1-related leukoencephalopathy. By describing a standardised five-year follow-up in one case and reviewing the other patients described to date, we outline recommendations relating to monitoring in this illness, emphasising the importance of psychiatric and gastroenterological surveillance alongside neurological and neuropsychological management. Studies are needed to better understand the factors influencing disease onset and severity, which are heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Della Vecchia
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Luis Seabra
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Neuroinflammation, Institut Imagine, University of Paris, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Yanick J Crow
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Neuroinflammation, Institut Imagine, University of Paris, 75015 Paris, France
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Lancione M, Cencini M, Scaffei E, Cipriano E, Buonincontri G, Schulte RF, Pirkl CM, Buchignani B, Pasquariello R, Canapicchi R, Battini R, Biagi L, Tosetti M. Magnetic resonance fingerprinting-based myelin water fraction mapping for the assessment of white matter maturation and integrity in typical development and leukodystrophies. NMR Biomed 2024:e5114. [PMID: 38390667 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
A quantitative biomarker for myelination, such as myelin water fraction (MWF), would boost the understanding of normative and pathological neurodevelopment, improving patients' diagnosis and follow-up. We quantified the fraction of a rapidly relaxing pool identified as MW using multicomponent three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) to evaluate white matter (WM) maturation in typically developing (TD) children and alterations in leukodystrophies (LDs). We acquired DTI and 3D MRF-based R1, R2 and MWF data of 15 TD children and 17 LD patients (9 months-12.5 years old) at 1.5 T. We computed normative maturation curves in corpus callosum and corona radiata and performed WM tract profile analysis, comparing MWF with R1, R2 and fractional anisotropy (FA). Normative maturation curves demonstrated a steep increase for all tissue parameters in the first 3 years of age, followed by slower growth for MWF while R1, R2R2 and FA reached a plateau. Unlike FA, MWF values were similar for regions of interest (ROIs) with different degrees of axonal packing, suggesting independence from fiber bundle macro-organization and higher myelin specificity. Tract profile analysis indicated a specific spatial pattern of myelination in the major fiber bundles, consistent across subjects. LD were better distinguished from TD by MWF rather than FA, showing reduced MWF with respect to age-matched controls in both ROI-based and tract analysis. In conclusion, MRF-based MWF provides myelin-specific WM maturation curves and is sensitive to alteration due to LDs, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for WM disorders. As MRF allows fast simultaneous acquisition of relaxometry and MWF, it can represent a valuable diagnostic tool to study and follow up developmental WM disorders in children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Cencini
- Pisa Division, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Emilio Cipriano
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Celardo G, Scaffei E, Buchignani B, Donatelli G, Costagli M, Cristofani P, Canapicchi R, Pasquariello R, Tosetti M, Battini R, Biagi L. Case report: Exploring chemoradiotherapy-induced leukoencephalopathy with 7T imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1362704. [PMID: 38419703 PMCID: PMC10899325 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1362704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are widely used in the treatment of central nervous system tumors and acute lymphocytic leukemia even in the pediatric population. However, such treatments run the risk of a broad spectrum of cognitive and neurological deficits. Even though the correlation with cognitive decline is still not clear, neuroradiological defects linked to white matter injury and vasculopathies may be identified. Thanks to the use of 7T MRI it is possible to better define the vascular pattern of the brain lesions with the added advantage of identifying their characteristics and anatomical localization, which, however, are not evident with a conventional brain scan. Moreover, the use of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) makes it possible to discriminate between calcium deposits on vessels (chemo-radiation-induced) and hemoglobin deposition in radio-induced cavernomas, speculating, as a result, about the pathophysiology of iatrogenic brain damage. We describe the case of a 9 year-old boy with a T-type acute lymphoid leukemia who had previously been treated with polychemotherapy and high-dose RT. To better define the child's neuroradiological pattern, 7T MRI and QSM were performed in addition to conventional imaging examinations. Our case report suggests the potential usefulness of a QSM study to distinguish radio-induced vascular malformations from mineralizing microangiopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Celardo
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Scaffei
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Bianca Buchignani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies Pisa University, Pisa, Italy
| | - Graziella Donatelli
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies Pisa University, Pisa, Italy
- Imago 7 Research Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mauro Costagli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Cristofani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaello Canapicchi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Tosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Biagi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
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Buchignani B, Marinella G, Pasquariello R, Sgherri G, Frosini S, Santorelli FM, Orsini A, Battini R, Astrea G. KLHL40-Related Myopathy: A Systematic Review and Insight into a Follow-up Biomarker via a New Case Report. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:208. [PMID: 38397198 PMCID: PMC10887776 DOI: 10.3390/genes15020208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in the KLHL40 gene are a common cause of severe or even lethal nemaline myopathy. Some cases with mild forms have been described, although the cases are still anecdotal. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the cases described in the literature and to describe a 12-year clinical and imaging follow-up in an Italian patient with KLHL40- related myopathy in order to suggest possible follow-up measurements. METHODS Having searched through three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO), 18 articles describing 65 patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous KLHL40 mutations were selected. A patient with a KLHL40 homozygous mutation (c.1582G>A/p.E528K) was added and clinical and genetic data were collected. RESULTS The most common mutation identified in our systematic review was the (c.1516A>C) followed by the (c.1582G>A). In our review, 60% percent of the patients died within the first 4 years of life. Clinical features were similar across the sample. Unfortunately, however, there is no record of the natural history data in the surviving patients. The 12-year follow-up of our patient revealed a slow improvement in her clinical course, identifying muscle MRI as the only possible marker of disease progression. CONCLUSIONS Due to its clinical and genotype homogeneity, KLHL40-related myopathy may be a condition that would greatly benefit from the development of new gene therapies; muscle MRI could be a good biomarker to monitor disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Buchignani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (B.B.); (G.M.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (S.F.); (G.A.)
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gemma Marinella
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (B.B.); (G.M.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (S.F.); (G.A.)
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (B.B.); (G.M.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (S.F.); (G.A.)
| | - Giada Sgherri
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (B.B.); (G.M.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (S.F.); (G.A.)
| | - Silvia Frosini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (B.B.); (G.M.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (S.F.); (G.A.)
| | | | - Alessandro Orsini
- Pediatric Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, 56100 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (B.B.); (G.M.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (S.F.); (G.A.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (B.B.); (G.M.); (R.P.); (G.S.); (S.F.); (G.A.)
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Cencini M, Lancione M, Pasquariello R, Peretti L, Pirkl CM, Schulte RF, Buonincontri G, Arduino A, Zilberti L, Biagi L, Tosetti M. Fast high-resolution electric properties tomography using three-dimensional quantitative transient-state imaging-based water fraction estimation. NMR Biomed 2024; 37:e5039. [PMID: 37714527 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we aimed to develop a fast and robust high-resolution technique for clinically feasible electrical properties tomography based on water content maps (wEPT) using Quantitative Transient-state Imaging (QTI), a multiparametric transient state-based method that is similar to MR fingerprinting. Compared with the original wEPT implementation based on standard spin-echo acquisition, QTI provides robust electrical properties quantification towards B1 + inhomogeneities and full quantitative relaxometry data. To validate the proposed approach, 3D QTI data of 12 healthy volunteers were acquired on a 1.5 T scanner. QTI-provided T1 maps were used to compute water content maps of the tissues using an empirical relationship based on literature ex-vivo measurements. Assuming that electrical properties are modulated mainly by tissue water content, the water content maps were used to derive electrical conductivity and relative permittivity maps. The proposed technique was compared with a conventional phase-only Helmholtz EPT (HH-EPT) acquisition both within whole white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid masks, and within different white and gray matter subregions. In addition, QTI-based wEPT was retrospectively applied to four multiple sclerosis adolescent and adult patients, compared with conventional contrast-weighted imaging in terms of lesion delineation, and quantitatively assessed by measuring the variation of electrical properties in lesions. Results obtained with the proposed approach agreed well with theoretical predictions and previous in vivo findings in both white and gray matter. The reconstructed maps showed greater anatomical detail and lower variability compared with standard phase-only HH-EPT. The technique can potentially improve delineation of pathology when compared with conventional contrast-weighted imaging and was able to detect significant variations in lesions with respect to normal-appearing tissues. In conclusion, QTI can reliably measure conductivity and relative permittivity of brain tissues within a short scan time, opening the way to the study of electric properties in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Cencini
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Luca Zilberti
- Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), Torino, Italy
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Caron-Godon CA, Della Vecchia S, Romano A, Doccini S, Dal Canto F, Pasquariello R, Rubegni A, Battini R, Santorelli FM, Glerum DM, Nesti C. Novel COX11 Mutations Associated with Mitochondrial Disorder: Functional Characterization in Patient Fibroblasts and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16636. [PMID: 38068960 PMCID: PMC10706101 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic defects in the nuclear encoded subunits and assembly factors of cytochrome c oxidase (mitochondrial complex IV) are very rare and are associated with a wide variety of phenotypes. Biallelic pathogenic variants in the COX11 protein were previously identified in two unrelated children with infantile-onset mitochondrial encephalopathies. Through comprehensive clinical, genetic and functional analyses, here we report on a new patient harboring novel heterozygous variants in COX11, presenting with Leigh-like features, and provide additional experimental evidence for a direct correlation between COX11 protein expression and sensitivity to oxidative stress. To sort out the contribution of the single mutations to the phenotype, we employed a multi-faceted approach using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a genetically manipulable system, and in silico structure-based analysis of human COX11. Our results reveal differential effects of the two novel COX11 mutations on yeast growth, respiration, and cellular redox status, as well as their potential impact on human protein stability and function. Strikingly, the functional deficits observed in patient fibroblasts are recapitulated in yeast models, validating the conservation of COX11's role in mitochondrial integrity across evolutionarily distant organisms. This study not only expands the mutational landscape of COX11-associated mitochondrial disorders but also underscores the continued translational relevance of yeast models in dissecting complex molecular pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania Della Vecchia
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139 Florence, Italy;
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (F.D.C.); (A.R.); (F.M.S.); (C.N.)
| | - Alessandro Romano
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy;
| | - Stefano Doccini
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (F.D.C.); (A.R.); (F.M.S.); (C.N.)
| | - Flavio Dal Canto
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (F.D.C.); (A.R.); (F.M.S.); (C.N.)
| | | | - Anna Rubegni
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (F.D.C.); (A.R.); (F.M.S.); (C.N.)
| | - Roberta Battini
- Developmental Neurology and Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy;
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (F.D.C.); (A.R.); (F.M.S.); (C.N.)
| | - D. Moira Glerum
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
- Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Claudia Nesti
- Molecular Medicine for Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (S.D.); (F.D.C.); (A.R.); (F.M.S.); (C.N.)
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Scaffei E, Buchignani B, Pasquariello R, Cristofani P, Canapicchi R, Biagi L, Giordano F, De Marco E, Crow YJ, Battini R. Case report: Clinical and neuroradiological longitudinal follow-up in Leukoencephalopathy with Calcifications and Cysts during treatment with bevacizumab. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1245014. [PMID: 37799282 PMCID: PMC10548379 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1245014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukoencephalopathy with Calcifications and Cysts (LCC) is a rare genetic microangiopathy exclusively affecting the central nervous system caused by biallelic mutations in SNORD118. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often diagnostic due to the highly characteristic triad of leukoencephalopathy, intracranial calcifications, and brain cysts. Age at onset, presentation and disease evolution can all vary, ranging from pauci-symptomatic disease to rapid evolution of signs with loss of motor and cognitive abilities. No specific therapies for LCC are currently licensed. According to the literature, bevacizumab might represent an effective modality to improve the clinical and MRI features of the disease. However, uncertainty remains as to the true efficacy of this approach, when to begin therapy, appropriate dosing, and the consequences of drug withdrawal. According to CARE guidelines, we describe the long-term clinical and neuro-radiological follow-up of a 10-year-old child with LCC. We report disease evolution following repeated cycles of treatment with bevacizumab. Our case report suggests that repeated cycles of bevacizumab might effectively modify disease progression, possibly indicating a time-dependent effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Scaffei
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Buchignani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Cristofani
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Biagi
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Flavio Giordano
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuela De Marco
- Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Department, Santa Chiara Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Yanick J. Crow
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Neuroinflammation, Institut Imagine, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Marinella G, Orsini A, Scacciati M, Costa E, Santangelo A, Astrea G, Frosini S, Pasquariello R, Rubegni A, Sgherri G, Corsi M, Bonuccelli A, Battini R. Congenital Myopathy as a Phenotypic Expression of CACNA1S Gene Mutation: Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1363. [PMID: 37510268 PMCID: PMC10379235 DOI: 10.3390/genes14071363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital myopathies are a group of clinically, genetically, and histologically heterogeneous diseases caused by mutations in a large group of genes. One of these is CACNA1S, which is recognized as the cause of Dihydropyridine Receptor Congenital Myopathy. METHODS To better characterize the phenotypic spectrum of CACNA1S myopathy, we conducted a systematic review of cases in the literature through three electronic databases following the PRISMA guidelines. We selected nine articles describing 23 patients with heterozygous, homozygous, or compound heterozygous mutations in CACNA1S and we added one patient with a compound heterozygous mutation in CACNA1S (c.1394-2A>G; c.1724T>C, p.L575P) followed at our Institute. We collected clinical and genetic data, muscle biopsies, and muscle MRIs when available. RESULTS The phenotype of this myopathy is heterogeneous, ranging from more severe forms with a lethal early onset and mild-moderate forms with a better clinical course. CONCLUSIONS Our patient presented a phenotype compatible with the mild-moderate form, although she presented peculiar features such as a short stature, myopia, mild sensorineural hearing loss, psychiatric symptoms, and posterior-anterior impairment gradient on thigh muscle MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Marinella
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (G.M.); (G.A.); (S.F.); (R.P.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric University Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Massimo Scacciati
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric University Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Costa
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric University Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Santangelo
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric University Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (G.M.); (G.A.); (S.F.); (R.P.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Silvia Frosini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (G.M.); (G.A.); (S.F.); (R.P.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (G.M.); (G.A.); (S.F.); (R.P.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Anna Rubegni
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (G.M.); (G.A.); (S.F.); (R.P.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Giada Sgherri
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (G.M.); (G.A.); (S.F.); (R.P.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
| | - Martina Corsi
- Department of Preventive and Occupational Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Alice Bonuccelli
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric University Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy; (A.O.); (M.S.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (G.M.); (G.A.); (S.F.); (R.P.); (A.R.); (G.S.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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9
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Fiorentini E, Giunti L, Di Rita A, Peraio S, Fonte C, Caporalini C, Buccoliero AM, Censullo ML, Gori G, Noris A, Pasquariello R, Battini R, Pavone R, Giordano F, Giglio S, Rinaldi B. SMARCE1-related meningiomas: A clear example of cancer predisposing syndrome. Eur J Med Genet 2023; 66:104784. [PMID: 37164167 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2023.104784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
We report the case of a 16-year-old girl presenting with spinal clear-cell multiple meningiomas (CCMs). In view of this presentation, we sequenced a bioinformatic panel of genes associated with susceptibility to meningioma, identifying a germline heterozygous variant inSMARCE1. Somatic DNA investigations in the CCM demonstrated the deletion of the wild-type allele (loss of heterozygosity, LOH), supporting the causative role of this variant. Family segregation study detected the SMARCE1 variant in the asymptomatic father and in the asymptomatic sister who, nevertheless, presents 2 spinal lesions. Germline heterozygous loss-of-function (LoF) variants in SMARCE1, encoding a protein of the chromatin-remodeling complex SWI/SNF, have been described in few familial cases of susceptibility to meningioma, in particular the CCM subtype. Our case confirms the role of NGS in investigating predisposing genes for meningiomas (multiple or recurrent), with specific regard to SMARCE1 in case of pediatric CCM. In addition to the age of onset, the presence of familial clustering or the coexistence of multiple synchronous meningiomas also supports the role of a genetic predisposition that deserves a molecular assessment. Additionally, given the incomplete penetrance, it is of great importance to follow a specific screening or follow-up program for symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers of pathogenic variants in SMARCE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Fiorentini
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Biomedical Sciences 'Mario Serio', University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Laura Giunti
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Rita
- Division of Neurosurgery - Meyer Children's Hospital - University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Simone Peraio
- Division of Neurosurgery - Meyer Children's Hospital - University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Carla Fonte
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Chiara Caporalini
- Pathology Unit, A. Meyer Children's University Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Maria Luigia Censullo
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Giulia Gori
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Alice Noris
- Division of Neurosurgery - Meyer Children's Hospital - University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Dpt. of Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Dpt. of Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Dpt. of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rossana Pavone
- Neuro-Oncology Unit, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Meyer Children's Hospital, Firenze, Italy
| | - Flavio Giordano
- Division of Neurosurgery - Meyer Children's Hospital - University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
| | - Sabrina Giglio
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health and CeSAR, University Service for Research, University of Cagliari, 09124, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Berardo Rinaldi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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10
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Della Vecchia S, Tessa A, Dosi C, Baldacci J, Pasquariello R, Antenora A, Astrea G, Bassi MT, Battini R, Casali C, Ciof E, Conti G, De Michele G, Ferrari AR, Filla A, Fiorillo C, Fusco C, Gallone S, Germiniasi C, Guerrini R, Haggiag S, Lopergolo D, Martinuzzi A, Melani F, Mignarri A, Panzeri E, Pini A, Pinto AM, Pochiero F, Primiano G, Procopio E, Renieri A, Romaniello R, Sancricca C, Servidei S, Spagnoli C, Ticci C, Rubegni A, Santorelli FM. Correction to: Monoallelic KIF1A-related disorders: a multicenter cross sectional study and systematic literature review. J Neurol 2023; 270:2345-2346. [PMID: 36795150 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11589-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudia Dosi
- Child Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Baldacci
- Kode Solutions, Lungarno Galileo Galilei 1, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Antenora
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Bassi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientifc Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Institute, University of Pisa, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo Casali
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Ettore Ciof
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Greta Conti
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Michele
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Ferrari
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Filla
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Fusco
- Child Neurology Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- Clinical Neurogenetics, Department Neurosciences, Az. Osp. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 1026, Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Germiniasi
- Neuromuscular Unit, Scientifc Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Shalom Haggiag
- Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Lopergolo
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
- Unit of Neurology and Neurometabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Martinuzzi
- Scientifc Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Unità Operativa Conegliano, 31015, Treviso, Italy
| | - Federico Melani
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Mignarri
- Unit of Neurology and Neurometabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Panzeri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientifc Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Antonella Pini
- Neuromuscular Pediatric Unit, IRRCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pinto
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Pochiero
- Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Primiano
- Neurofsiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Procopio
- Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Romina Romaniello
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientifc Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Cristina Sancricca
- Neurofsiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Serenella Servidei
- Neurofsiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlotta Spagnoli
- Child Neurology Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Chiara Ticci
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Rubegni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
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11
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Marinella G, Conti E, Buchignani B, Sgherri G, Pasquariello R, Giordano F, Cristofani P, Battini R, Battaglia A. Further characterization of NFIB-associated phenotypes: Report of two new individuals. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:540-545. [PMID: 36321570 PMCID: PMC10091694 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear Factor I B (NFIB) haploinsufficiency has recently been identified as a cause of intellectual disability (ID) and macrocephaly. Here we report on two new individuals carrying a microdeletion in the chromosomal region 9p23-p22.3 containing NFIB. The first is a 7-year 9-month old boy with developmental delays, ID, definite facial anomalies, and brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging findings including periventricular nodular heterotopia, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, arachnoid cyst in the left middle cranial fossa, syringomyelia in the thoracic spinal cord and distal tract of the conus medullaris, and a stretched appearance of the filum terminale. The second is a 32-year-old lady (the proband' mother) with dysmorphic features, and a history of learning disability, hypothyroidism, poor growth, left inguinal hernia, and panic attacks. Her brain magnetic resonance imaging findings include a dysmorphic corpus callosum, and a small cyst in the left choroidal fissure that marks the hippocampal head. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization identified, in both, a 232 Kb interstitial deletion at 9p23p22.3 including several exons of NFIB and no other known genes. Our two individuals add to the knowledge of this rare disorder through the addition of new brain and spinal cord MRI findings and dysmorphic features. We propose that NFIB haploinsufficiency causes a clinically recognizable malformation-ID syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Marinella
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eugenia Conti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Bianca Buchignani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giada Sgherri
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Flavio Giordano
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Firenze, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Cristofani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Agatino Battaglia
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
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12
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Pennarossa G, Pasquariello R, Arcuri S, Ledda S, Gandolfi F, Brevini T. 232 Combined effect of miR-200b/c and mechanical stimuli to generate blastoids. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv35n2ab232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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13
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Pirkl CM, Cencini M, Kurzawski JW, Waldmannstetter D, Li H, Sekuboyina A, Endt S, Peretti L, Donatelli G, Pasquariello R, Costagli M, Buonincontri G, Tosetti M, Menzel MI, Menze BH. Learning residual motion correction for fast and robust 3D multiparametric MRI. Med Image Anal 2022; 77:102387. [DOI: 10.1016/j.media.2022.102387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Vecchia SD, Tessa A, Dosi C, Baldacci J, Pasquariello R, Antenora A, Astrea G, Bassi MT, Battini R, Casali C, Cioffi E, Conti G, De Michele G, Ferrari AR, Filla A, Fiorillo C, Fusco C, Gallone S, Germiniasi C, Guerrini R, Haggiag S, Lopergolo D, Martinuzzi A, Melani F, Mignarri A, Panzeri E, Pini A, Pinto AM, Pochiero F, Primiano G, Procopio E, Renieri A, Romaniello R, Sancricca C, Servidei S, Spagnoli C, Ticci C, Rubegni A, Santorelli FM. Monoallelic KIF1A-related disorders: a multicenter cross sectional study and systematic literature review. J Neurol 2022; 269:437-450. [PMID: 34487232 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10792-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monoallelic variants in the KIF1A gene are associated with a large set of clinical phenotypes including neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, underpinned by a broad spectrum of central and peripheral nervous system involvement. METHODS In a multicenter study conducted in patients presenting spastic gait or complex neurodevelopmental disorders, we analyzed the clinical, genetic and neuroradiological features of 28 index cases harboring heterozygous variants in KIF1A. We conducted a literature systematic review with the aim to comparing our findings with previously reported KIF1A-related phenotypes. RESULTS Among 28 patients, we identified nine novel monoallelic variants, and one a copy number variation encompassing KIF1A. Mutations arose de novo in most patients and were prevalently located in the motor domain. Most patients presented features of a continuum ataxia-spasticity spectrum with only five cases showing a prevalently pure spastic phenotype and six presenting congenital ataxias. Seventeen mutations occurred in the motor domain of the Kinesin-1A protein, but location of mutation did not correlate with neurological and imaging presentations. When tested in 15 patients, muscle biopsy showed oxidative metabolism alterations (6 cases), impaired respiratory chain complexes II + III activity (3/6) and low CoQ10 levels (6/9). Ubiquinol supplementation (1gr/die) was used in 6 patients with subjective benefit. CONCLUSIONS This study broadened our clinical, genetic, and neuroimaging knowledge of KIF1A-related disorders. Although highly heterogeneous, it seems that manifestations of ataxia-spasticity spectrum disorders seem to occur in most patients. Some patients also present secondary impairment of oxidative metabolism; in this subset, ubiquinol supplementation therapy might be appropriate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudia Dosi
- Child Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Baldacci
- Kode Solutions, Lungarno Galileo Galilei 1, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Antenora
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Bassi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Institute, University of Pisa, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo Casali
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Ettore Cioffi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Greta Conti
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Michele
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Ferrari
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Filla
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Fusco
- Child Neurology Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- Clinical Neurogenetics, Department Neurosciences, Az. Osp. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 1026, Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Germiniasi
- Neuromuscular Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Shalom Haggiag
- Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Lopergolo
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Unit of Neurology and Neurometabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Martinuzzi
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Unità Operativa Conegliano, 31015, Treviso, Italy
| | - Federico Melani
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Mignarri
- Unit of Neurology and Neurometabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Panzeri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Antonella Pini
- Neuromuscular Pediatric Unit, IRRCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pinto
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Pochiero
- Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Primiano
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Procopio
- Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Romina Romaniello
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Cristina Sancricca
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Serenella Servidei
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento Universitario di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlotta Spagnoli
- Child Neurology Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Chiara Ticci
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Rubegni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
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15
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Della Vecchia S, Tessa A, Dosi C, Baldacci J, Pasquariello R, Antenora A, Astrea G, Bassi MT, Battini R, Casali C, Cioffi E, Conti G, De Michele G, Ferrari AR, Filla A, Fiorillo C, Fusco C, Gallone S, Germiniasi C, Guerrini R, Haggiag S, Lopergolo D, Martinuzzi A, Melani F, Mignarri A, Panzeri E, Pini A, Pinto AM, Pochiero F, Primiano G, Procopio E, Renieri A, Romaniello R, Sancricca C, Servidei S, Spagnoli C, Ticci C, Rubegni A, Santorelli FM. Correction to: Monoallelic KIF1A-related disorders: a multicenter cross sectional study and systematic literature review. J Neurol 2021; 269:451. [PMID: 34652506 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10839-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudia Dosi
- Child Neurology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Baldacci
- Kode Solutions, Lungarno Galileo Galilei 1, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Antenora
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Bassi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurological Institute, University of Pisa, 56125, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo Casali
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Ettore Cioffi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 40100, Latina, Italy
| | - Greta Conti
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Michele
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Ferrari
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Filla
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Federico II University, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Fiorillo
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, DINOGMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Fusco
- Child Neurology Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- Clinical Neurogenetics, Department Neurosciences, Az. Osp. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 1026, Torino, Italy
| | - Chiara Germiniasi
- Neuromuscular Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Shalom Haggiag
- Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo Forlanini, 00152, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Lopergolo
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Unit of Neurology and Neurometabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Martinuzzi
- Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Unità Operativa Conegliano, 31015, Treviso, Italy
| | - Federico Melani
- Neurology Unit and Neurogenetics Laboratories, Meyer Children University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Mignarri
- Unit of Neurology and Neurometabolic Disorders, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Panzeri
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Antonella Pini
- Neuromuscular Pediatric Unit, IRRCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pinto
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Pochiero
- Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Guido Primiano
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Procopio
- Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics Unit, University of Siena, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Romina Romaniello
- Neuropsychiatry and Neurorehabilitation Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Bosisio Parini, 23842, Lecco, Italy
| | - Cristina Sancricca
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Serenella Servidei
- Neurofisiopathology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento Universitario di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlotta Spagnoli
- Child Neurology Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Chiara Ticci
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Metabolic and Muscular, Meyer Children's University Hospital, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Rubegni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, via dei Giacinti 2, 56128, Pisa, Italy
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16
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Fiori S, Pannek K, Podda I, Cipriani P, Lorenzoni V, Franchi B, Pasquariello R, Guzzetta A, Cioni G, Chilosi A. Neural Changes Induced by a Speech Motor Treatment in Childhood Apraxia of Speech: A Case Series. J Child Neurol 2021; 36:958-967. [PMID: 34315296 PMCID: PMC8461047 DOI: 10.1177/08830738211015800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We report a case series of children with childhood apraxia of speech, by describing behavioral and white matter microstructural changes following 2 different treatment approaches.Five children with childhood apraxia of speech were assigned to a motor speech treatment (PROMPT) and 5 to a language, nonspeech oral motor treatment. Speech assessment and brain MRI were performed pre- and post-treatment. The ventral (tongue/larynx) and dorsal (lips) corticobulbar tracts were reconstructed in each subject. Mean fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were extracted. The hand corticospinal tract was assessed as a control pathway. In both groups speech improvements paralleled changes in the left ventral corticobulbar tract fractional anisotropy. The PROMPT treated group also showed fractional anisotropy increase and mean diffusivity decrease in the left dorsal corticobulbar tract. No changes were detected in the hand tract. Our results may provide preliminary support to the possible neurobiologic effect of a multimodal speech motor treatment in childhood apraxia of speech.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Fiori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy,Simona Fiori, MD, PhD, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Kerstin Pannek
- CSIRO, Health and Biosecurity, Australian E-Health Research Centre, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Irina Podda
- Parole al Centro, Studio di Logopedia e Neuropsicomotricità, Genova, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - V. Lorenzoni
- Institute of Management, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Beatrice Franchi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Chilosi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
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17
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Battini R, Milone R, Aiello C, Astrea G, Sferra A, Pasquariello R, Cioni G, Bertini E. Broadening the spectrum phenotype of TBCE-related neuron neurodegeneration. Brain Dev 2021; 43:939-944. [PMID: 34134906 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2021.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe loss of TBCE function has been related to two well-known dysmorphic syndromes, while TBCE hypomorphic variants have been linked to neurodegenerative conditions due to perturbed microtubule dynamics and homeostasis, with signs of central and peripheral nervous system involvement. METHOD We report on an Italian female originating from Southern Italy who presented early-onset regression and neurodegeneration, with neurological features of tetraparesis and signs of peripheral nervous system involvement. Her brain MRI revealed white matter involvement. RESULTS Analyzing all known hypomyelination leukodystrophies related genes, two mutations in TBCE (NM_001079515) were detected: the missense variant c.464 T > A; p. (Ile155Asn) and the frameshift variant c.924del; p. (Leu309Ter), in compound heterozygosity, already reported in the literature in patients coming from the same geographical area. The clinical phenotype of the proposita was more severe and with an earlier onset than the majority of the patients reported so far. CONCLUSIONS Next Generation Sequencing is becoming increasingly necessary to assess unusual phenotypes, with the opportunity to establish prognosis and disease mechanisms, and facilitating differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Roberta Milone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Aiello
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ospedale Bambino Gesù Research Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Sferra
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ospedale Bambino Gesù Research Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ospedale Bambino Gesù Research Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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18
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Bonaventura E, Barone R, Sturiale L, Pasquariello R, Alessandrì MG, Pinto AM, Renieri A, Panteghini C, Garavaglia B, Cioni G, Battini R. Clinical, molecular and glycophenotype insights in SLC39A8-CDG. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:307. [PMID: 34246313 PMCID: PMC8272319 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01941-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SLC39A8, a gene located on chromosome 4q24, encodes for the manganese (Mn) transporter ZIP8 and its detrimental variants cause a type 2 congenital disorder of glycosylation (CDG). The common SLC39A8 missense variant A391T is associated with increased risk for multiple neurological and systemic disorders and with decreased serum Mn. Patients with SLC39A8-CDG present with different clinical and neuroradiological features linked to variable transferrin glycosylation profile. Galactose and Mn supplementation therapy results in the biochemical and clinical amelioration of treated patients. RESULTS Here, we report clinical manifestations, neuroradiological features and glycophenotypes associated with novel SLC39A8 variants (c.1048G > A; p.Gly350Arg and c.131C > G; p.Ser44Trp) in two siblings of the same Italian family. Furthermore, we describe a third patient with overlapping clinical features harbouring the homozygous missense variant A391T. The clinical phenotype of the three patients was characterized by severe developmental disability, dystonic postural pattern and dyskinesia with a more severe progression of the disease in the two affected siblings. Neuroimaging showed a Leigh syndrome-like pattern involving the basal ganglia, thalami and white matter. In the two siblings, atrophic cerebral and cerebellum changes consistent with SLC39A8-CDG were detected as well. Serum transferrin isoelectric focusing (IEF) yielded variable results with slight increase of trisialotransferrin isoforms or even normal pattern. MALDI-MS showed the presence of hypogalactosylated transferrin N-glycans, spontaneously decreasing during the disease course, only in one affected sibling. Total serum N-glycome depicted a distinct pattern for the three patients, with increased levels of undergalactosylated and undersialylated precursors of fully sialylated biantennary glycans, including the monosialo-monogalacto-biantennary species A2G1S1. CONCLUSIONS Clinical, MRI and glycosylation features of patients are consistent with SLC39A8-CDG. We document two novel variants associated with Leigh syndrome-like disease presentation of SLC39A8-CDG. We show, for the first time, a severe neurological phenotype overlapping with that described for SLC39A8-CDG in association with the homozygous A391T missense variant. We observed a spontaneous amelioration of transferrin N-glycome, highlighting the efficacy of MS-based serum glycomics as auxiliary tool for the diagnosis and clinical management of therapy response in patients with SLC39A8-CDG. Further studies are needed to analyse more in depth the influence of SLC39A8 variants, including the common missense variant, on the expression and function of ZIP8 protein, and their impact on clinical, biochemical and neuroradiological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Bonaventura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rita Barone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine-Child Neuropsychiatry Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- CNR, Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, IPCB, Catania, Italy
| | - Luisa Sturiale
- CNR, Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, IPCB, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Alessandrì
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pinto
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Renieri
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, Med Biotech Hub and Competence Center, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Celeste Panteghini
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Garavaglia
- Department of Molecular Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, 56128, Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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19
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Tolomeo D, Rubegni A, Nesti C, Barghigiani M, Battini R, D'Amore F, Doccini S, Donati MA, Galatolo D, Giglio S, Guarducci S, Pantaleo M, Pasquariello R, Procopio E, Pochiero F, Tessa A, Santorelli FMM. Learning from massive testing of mitochondrial disorders: UPD explaining unorthodox transmission. J Med Genet 2021; 58:543-546. [PMID: 34135091 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2020-107644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Tolomeo
- Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Toscana, Italy
| | - Anna Rubegni
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberta Battini
- Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Toscana, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Sabrina Giglio
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy, Florence, Italy.,Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvia Guarducci
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy, Florence, Italy
| | - Marilena Pantaleo
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Elena Procopio
- Metabolic and Neuromuscular Unit, Meyer Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Filippo M M Santorelli
- Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Toscana, Italy .,Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
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20
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Bonaventura E, Purpura G, Pasquariello R, Da Prato S, Di Lieto MC, Barsotti J, Paolicelli PB, Cioni G, Tinelli F. Complex neurodevelopmental disorder in a preterm child with unilateral cerebellar hemorrhage. Appl Neuropsychol Child 2021; 11:915-920. [PMID: 34100324 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2021.1935256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebellar hemorrhage (CBH) represents the main form of direct cerebellar injury in preterm infants. Most CBHs occur bilaterally, while isolated unilateral hemorrhages are less frequent and often associated with focal atrophy. Limited and heterogeneous data exist on preterm birth, unilateral CBH and consequent long-term neurodevelopmental and non-motor outcomes. CASE REPORT This is the case of a six-year-old child, born preterm, diagnosed with a complete atrophy of the right cerebellar hemisphere through brain MRI and presenting mild social atypies, visuo-perceptive and pragmatic language impairment, but only minor neurological signs. DISCUSSION Despite the large extension of the patient's CBH neurological sequelae were mild, likely due to cerebellar plasticity, and only specific deficits in non-motor, behavioral and social skills were shown. Evidence exists on cerebellar contribution to dynamic visual information processing and to perceptual signals detection and prediction, that might explain the presence of non-motor signs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Bonaventura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Purpura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Sara Da Prato
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Di Lieto
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jessica Barsotti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
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21
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Dosi C, Pasquariello R, Ticci C, Astrea G, Trovato R, Rubegni A, Tessa A, Cioni G, Santorelli FM, Battini R. Neuroimaging patterns in paediatric onset hereditary spastic paraplegias. J Neurol Sci 2021; 425:117441. [PMID: 33866115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.117441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs with a notable phenotypic variation and an autosomal recessive (AR), autosomal dominant (AD), and X-linked inheritance pattern. The recent clinical use of next generation sequencing methods has facilitated the diagnostic approach to HSPs, but the diagnosis remains quite challenging considering its wide clinical and genetic heterogeneity. In this scenario, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) emerges as a valuable tool in helping to exclude mimicking disorders and to guide genetic testing. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of possible patterns of morphostructural MRI findings that may provide relevant clues for a specific genetic HSP subtype. In our cohort, for example, white matter abnormalities were the most common finding followed by the thinning of the corpus callosum, which, interestingly, presented different thinning characteristics depending on the HSP subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Dosi
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Ticci
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosanna Trovato
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Rubegni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Cioni
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56125 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Battini
- IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56125 Pisa, Italy.
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22
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Milone R, Scalise R, Pasquariello R, Berloffa S, Ricca I, Battini R. De Novo 1q21.3q22 Duplication Revaluation in a "Cold" Complex Neuropsychiatric Case with Syndromic Intellectual Disability. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040511. [PMID: 33807234 PMCID: PMC8066010 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Syndromic intellectual disability often obtains a genetic diagnosis due to the combination of first and next generation sequencing techniques, although their interpretation may require revaluation over the years. Here we report on a composite neuropsychiatric case whose phenotype includes moderate intellectual disability, spastic paraparesis, movement disorder, and bipolar disorder, harboring a 1.802 Mb de novo 1q21.3q22 duplication. The role of this duplication has been reconsidered in the light of negativity of many other genetic exams, and of the possible pathogenic role of many genes included in this duplication, potentially configuring a contiguous gene-duplication syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Milone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (R.S.); (R.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Roberta Scalise
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (R.S.); (R.P.); (S.B.)
- Tuscan PhD Program of Neuroscience, University of Florence, Pisa and Siena, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (R.S.); (R.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Stefano Berloffa
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (R.S.); (R.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Ivana Ricca
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, 56128 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Calambrone, 56128 Pisa, Italy; (R.M.); (R.S.); (R.P.); (S.B.)
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56125 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050886229; Fax: +39-050886247
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23
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Milone R, Cesario C, Goldoni M, Pasquariello R, Fusilli C, Giovannetti A, Giglio S, Novelli A, Caputo V, Cioni G, Mazza T, Battaglia A, Bernardini L, Battini R. Correlating Neuroimaging and CNVs Data: 7 Years of Cytogenomic Microarray Analysis on Patients Affected by Neurodevelopmental Disorders. J Pediatr Genet 2020; 10:292-299. [PMID: 34849274 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between neurodevelopmental disorders, brain anomalies, and copy number variations (CNVs) and to estimate the diagnostic potential of cytogenomical microarray analysis (CMA) in individuals neuroradiologically characterized with intellectual developmental disorders (IDDs) isolated or associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and epilepsy (EPI), all of which were identified as a "synaptopathies." We selected patients who received CMA and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over a 7-year period. We divided them into four subgroups: IDD, IDD + ASD, IDD + EPI, and IDD + ASD + EPI. The diagnostic threshold of CMA was 16%. The lowest detection rate for both CMA and brain anomalies was found in IDD + ASD, while MRI was significantly higher in IDD and IDD + EPI subgroups. CMA detection rate was significantly higher in patients with brain anomalies, so CMA may be even more appropriate in patients with pathological MRI, increasing the diagnostic value of the test. Conversely, positive CMA in IDD patients should require an MRI assessment, which is more often associated with brain anomalies. Posterior fossa anomalies, both isolated and associated with other brain anomalies, showed a significantly higher rate of CMA positive results and of pathogenic CNVs. In the next-generation sequencing era, our study confirms once again the relevant diagnostic output of CMA in patients with IDD, either isolated or associated with other comorbidities. Since more than half of the patients presented brain anomalies in this study, we propose that neuroimaging should be performed in such cases, particularly in the presence of genomic imbalances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Milone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Cesario
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Goldoni
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Caterina Fusilli
- Bioinformatics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Agnese Giovannetti
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Sabrina Giglio
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonio Novelli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Viviana Caputo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tommaso Mazza
- Bioinformatics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Agatino Battaglia
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Bernardini
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Tinelli F, Guzzetta A, Purpura G, Pasquariello R, Cioni G, Fiori S. Structural brain damage and visual disorders in children with cerebral palsy due to periventricular leukomalacia. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 28:102430. [PMID: 32980597 PMCID: PMC7519396 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
There is a strong correlation between brain lesion severity and visual function, evident also with a Structural MRI. It is confirmed the validity of MRI semi-quantitative scale published by Fiori et al. (2014). There is a frequent association of PVL with thalamic lesions with important repercussion on visual function.
Aim To systematically explore the relationship between type and severity of brain lesion on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and visual function in a large cohort of children with periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). Methods 94 children with bilateral cerebral palsy (CP) and history of PVL were recruited at Stella Maris Scientific Institute in Pisa (Italy). We included data of participants (72) with at least one MRI after the age of three years and an evaluation of visual function including fixation, following, saccades, nystagmus, acuity, visual field, stereopsis and color perception. Brain lesions location and extent were assessed by a semi-quantitative MRI-scale for children with CP. Results Brain lesion severity strongly correlated with visual function total score (global MRI score p = .000; hemispheric score p = .001 and subcortical score p = .000). Moreover, visual acuity, visual field, stereopsis and colour were compromised when a cortical damage was present, while ocular motricity (and in particular fixation and saccades) were compromised in presence of subcortical brain damage. Interpretation Structural MRI is valuable for understanding the relationship between brain lesion severity and visual function in children with CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tinelli
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Purpura
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Fiori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
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Battini R, Bertini E, Milone R, Aiello C, Pasquariello R, Rubegni A, Santorelli FM. Reconsidering NMIHBA Core Features: Macrocephaly Is Not a So Unusual Sign in PRUNE1-Related Encephalopathy. Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2020. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1715526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
PRUNE1-related disorders manifest as severe neurodevelopmental conditions associated with neurodegeneration, implying a differential diagnosis at birth with static encephalopathies, and later with those manifesting progressive brain damage with the involvement of both the central and the peripheral nervous system.Here we report on another patient with PRUNE1 (p.Asp106Asn) recurrent mutation, whose leukodystrophy, inferior olives hyperintensity, and macrocephaly led to the misleading clinical suspicion of Alexander disease. Clinical features, together with other recent descriptions, suggest avoiding the term “microcephaly” in defining this disorder that could be renamed “neurodevelopmental disorder with progressive encephalopathy, hypotonia, and variable brain anomalies” (NPEHBA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Milone
- U.O. Neuropsichiatria Infantile, AULSS7 Pedemontana Regione Veneto, Thiene (VI), Italy
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Aiello
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Bambino Gesù Children's Research Hospital, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Rubegni
- Molecular Medicine, Stella Maris Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine, Stella Maris Foundation, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare, Pisa, Italy
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Dosi C, Galatolo D, Rubegni A, Doccini S, Pasquariello R, Nesti C, Sicca F, Barghigiani M, Battini R, Tessa A, Santorelli FM. Expanding the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of SPAX5. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:595-601. [PMID: 32237276 PMCID: PMC7187698 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the ATPase family 3‐like gene (AFG3L2) have been linked to autosomal‐dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 28 and autosomal recessive spastic ataxia‐neuropathy syndrome. Here, we describe the case of a child carrying bi‐allelic mutations in AFG3L2 and presenting with ictal paroxysmal episodes associated with neuroimaging suggestive of basal ganglia involvement. Studies in skin fibroblasts showed a significant reduction of AFG3L2 expression. The relatively mild clinical presentation and the benign course, in spite of severe neuroimaging features, distinguish this case from data reported in the literature, and therefore expand the spectrum of neurological and neuroradiological features associated with AFG3L2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Dosi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Anna Rubegni
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudia Nesti
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberta Battini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
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27
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Ming H, Sun J, Pasquariello R, Herrick JR, Yuan Y, Gutierrez E, Gatenby L, Bondioli KR, Krisher RL, Jiang Z. 2 The landscape of accessible chromatin in bovine oocytes and early embryos. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv32n2ab2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin reorganization governs gene expression regulation during pre-implantation development. However, the global chromatin landscape and its dynamics in this period remain unexplored in bovine. In this study, we constructed a genome-wide map of accessible chromatin in bovine oocytes and early embryos using an improved assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq). We analysed pools of 20 germinal vesicles or MII oocytes or 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-cell, morula, and blastocyst stage invitro-produced embryos. We conducted ATAC-seq on six pools for each stage and an additional four pools of invivo-derived morula and blastocysts and six replicates using individual Day 14 elongating embryos. We obtained ~110 million paired end reads uniquely mapped to the bovine reference genome for each stage. Hierarchical clustering, t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding, and principal component analysis showed four distinct patterns for open chromatin status: (1) low accessibility in germinal vesicles and MII oocytes and in 2- and 4-cell embryos; (2) significantly elevated accessibility in 8-cell, 16-cell, and morula embryos; (3) less accessibility in blastocysts; and (4) extremely high accessibility in elongating embryos. This dynamic and sequential chromatin remodelling is consistent with transcription activation during the bovine minor embryonic genome activation from fertilization to 4-cell, major embryonic genome activation at 8-cell, first differentiation at blastocyst and drastic transcription initiation for embryo elongation. Genome-wide characteristics of accessible chromatin showed (1) accessible chromatin near the transcription start sites of active genes and CpG-rich promoters; (2) widespread accessible chromatin regions extensively overlapped with transposable elements; (3) distal peaks preferentially enriched for repeats including LINE, SINE, and LTR from 8-cell to morula embryos, especially for LTR, whereas enrichment in simple repeats were found from oocytes to 4-cell and in elongating embryos; and (4) highly stage-specific transcription factor motifs in distal peaks were unveiled. By integrating the maps of chromatin accessibility with bovine embryo transcriptomes and DNA methylomes, we found promoter accessibility and DNA methylation in bovine embryos correlated with both gene activities and CpG densities. Most importantly, we constructed the regulatory networks of stage-specific expressed genes and stage-specific activated genes with three omics datasets in bovine early embryos and revealed conserved and distinctive transcriptional regulatory networks between invivo- and invitro-derived embryos. This comprehensive analysis revealed critical features of the chromatin landscape and epigenetic reprogramming during bovine early embryo development.
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Rubegni A, Pasquariello R, Dosi C, Astrea G, Canapicchi R, Santorelli FM, Nesti C. Teaching NeuroImages: Leigh-like features expand the picture of PMPCA-related disorders. Neurology 2019; 92:e168-e169. [PMID: 30617178 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000006740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rubegni
- From Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics (A.R., C.D., F.M.S., C.N.), Neuroradiology (R.P., R.C.), and Child Neurology (G.A.), IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- From Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics (A.R., C.D., F.M.S., C.N.), Neuroradiology (R.P., R.C.), and Child Neurology (G.A.), IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudia Dosi
- From Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics (A.R., C.D., F.M.S., C.N.), Neuroradiology (R.P., R.C.), and Child Neurology (G.A.), IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Guja Astrea
- From Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics (A.R., C.D., F.M.S., C.N.), Neuroradiology (R.P., R.C.), and Child Neurology (G.A.), IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Raffaello Canapicchi
- From Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics (A.R., C.D., F.M.S., C.N.), Neuroradiology (R.P., R.C.), and Child Neurology (G.A.), IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- From Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics (A.R., C.D., F.M.S., C.N.), Neuroradiology (R.P., R.C.), and Child Neurology (G.A.), IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Claudia Nesti
- From Molecular Medicine & Neurogenetics (A.R., C.D., F.M.S., C.N.), Neuroradiology (R.P., R.C.), and Child Neurology (G.A.), IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
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Pasquariello R, Yuan Y, Logsdon D, Becker J, Yao L, Broeckling C, Schoolcraft WB, Barfield JP, Krisher RL. 62 Sequential nutrient restriction and provision during bovine in vitro embryo culture differentially affect blastocyst development and quality with oocytes from varied sources. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv31n1ab62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We have demonstrated that bovine blastocyst development was improved after culture in medium with only 6.25% of standard carbohydrate and amino acid concentrations, supplemented with fatty acids. However, these blastocysts had lower cell numbers. We hypothesised that this was due to deficiencies in embryo metabolism at the time of blastocyst formation. Thus, our objectives were to (1) determine whether using a sequential combination of nutrient concentrations could rescue blastocyst cell number; and (2) investigate the efficacy of reduced nutrient medium in 2 sources of oocytes. Oocytes were in vitro matured in identical medium either in our laboratory or during shipment from a commercial supplier. Oocytes in our laboratory were derived from feedlot heifers while purchased oocytes were obtained from culled cows. Zygotes were cultured using sequential medium with fraction V BSA. In step 1/step 2, embryos were cultured using 100% (glucose 0.5 mM/fructose 3.0mM, pyruvate 0.3/0.1mM, lactate 10.0/6.0mM, NEEA 1×/1× MEM, EAA 0.25×/0.5× MEM), 25% or 6.25% of standard nutrient concentrations. On Day 3, embryos were moved to step 2 as follows: 100% to 100%, 25% to 25%, 25% to 100%, 6.25% to 25%, or 6.25% to 100%. Lipid content of single mature oocytes from both sources was determined using gas chromatography coupled to an ISQ-LT MS/MS (GC-MS; Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). Data (mean±s.e.m.) were analysed using ANOVA (P<0.05). When oocytes from feedlot heifers were used, blastocyst development and cell number did not differ between treatments. When oocytes from culled cows were used, blastocyst development was improved after embryo culture in 25-25% (45.1±3.3%) and 6.25-25% (46.6±3.2%) compared with 100-100% (34.2±3.2%). However, inner cell mass number of blastocysts cultured in 25-25% (25.6±2.5) and 6.25-25% (26.0±2.6) was reduced compared with 100-100% (41.4±4.5); TE and total cell number did not differ. Embryos cultured in 100-100%, 25-100%, and 6.25-100% were equivalent. Metabolomics revealed that 10 lipid compounds (polyunsaturated fatty acids, glycosyldiacylglycerols, and glycerophospholipids) differed in abundance between the two sources of oocytes. These results show that oocytes from different sources lead to different experimental outcomes, likely due to a combination of age, body condition, diet, and hormone treatment of the female. Oocytes from culled cows result in embryos that develop to blastocysts better in a reduced nutrient environment, although these embryos have fewer inner cell masses, suggesting that quality may be reduced. Embryos from feedlot heifer oocytes are relatively immune to nutrient fluctuations. Different endogenous fatty acid reserves in the oocyte may lead to differing metabolic strategies in the subsequent embryo, altering their response to substrate availability during in vitro culture. These results also demonstrate that reduction of nutrients during culture has no detrimental effect on blastocyst development or total cell number in either oocyte source, but that inner cell mass formation requires increased nutrient provision.
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30
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Becker J, Pasquariello R, Rajput S, Schoolcraft W, Krisher R, Yuan Y. Growth factors improve mouse oocyte developmental potential via increased MAPK and MTOR signaling activities in cumulus cells during in vitro maturation. Fertil Steril 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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31
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Pasquariello R, Fernandez-Fuertes B, Strozzi F, Pizzi F, Mazza R, Lonergan P, Gandolfi F, Williams JL. Profiling bovine blastocyst microRNAs using deep sequencing. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:1545-1555. [PMID: 27623773 DOI: 10.1071/rd16110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to control several reproductive functions, including oocyte maturation, implantation and early embryonic development. Recent advances in deep sequencing have allowed the analysis of all miRNAs of a sample. However, when working with embryos, due to the low RNA content, miRNA profiling is challenging because of the relatively large amount of total RNA required for library preparation protocols. In the present study we compared three different procedures for RNA extraction and prepared libraries using pools of 30 bovine blastocysts. In total, 14 of the 15 most abundantly expressed miRNAs were common to all three procedures. Furthermore, using miRDeep discovery and annotation software (Max Delbrück Center), we identified 1363 miRNA sequences, of which bta-miR-10b and bta-miR-378 were the most abundant. Most of the 179 genes identified as experimentally validated (86.6%) or predicted targets (13.4%) were associated with cancer canonical pathways. We conclude that reliable analysis of bovine blastocyst miRNAs can be achieved using the procedures described herein. The repeatability of the results across different procedures and independent replicates, as well as their consistency with results obtained in other species, support the biological relevance of these miRNAs and of the gene pathways they modulate in early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pasquariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territori, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - B Fernandez-Fuertes
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F Strozzi
- Parco Tecnologico Padano, Via Einstein Albert, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - F Pizzi
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Einstein Albert, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - R Mazza
- Associazione Italiana Allevatori, Via Bergamo 292, 26100, Cremona, Italy
| | - P Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F Gandolfi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territori, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - J L Williams
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
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Bruno RM, Stea F, Sicari R, Ghiadoni L, Taddei S, Ungar A, Bonuccelli U, Tognoni G, Cintoli S, Del Turco S, Sbrana S, Gargani L, D’Angelo G, Pratali L, Berardi N, Maffei L, Picano E, Andreassi M, Angelucci A, Baldacci F, Baroncelli L, Begenisic T, Bellinvia P, Biagi L, Bonaccorsi J, Bonanni E, Borghini A, Braschi C, Broccardi M, Caleo M, Carlesi C, Carnicelli L, Cartoni G, Cecchetti L, Cenni M, Ceravolo R, Chico L, Cioni G, Costa M, D’Ascanio P, De Nes M, Di Coscio E, Di Galante M, di Lascio N, Faita F, Falorni I, Faraguna U, Fenu A, Fortunato L, Franco R, Gargiulo R, Giorgi F, Iannarella R, Iofrida C, Kusmic C, Limongi F, Maestri M, Maffei M, Maggi S, Mainardi M, Mammana L, Marabotti A, Mariotti V, Melissari E, Mercuri A, Molinaro S, Narducci R, Navarra T, Noale M, Pagni C, Palumbo S, Pasquariello R, Pellegrini S, Pietrini P, Pizzorusso T, Poli A, Retico A, Ricciardi E, Rota G, Sale A, Scabia G, Scali M, Scelfo D, Siciliano G, Tonacci A, Tosetti M, Turchi S, Volpi L. Vascular Function Is Improved After an Environmental Enrichment Program. Hypertension 2018; 71:1218-1225. [DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.117.10066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment may slow cognitive decay possibly acting through an improvement in vascular function. Aim of the study was to assess the effects of a 7-month cognitive, social, and physical training program on cognitive and vascular function in patients with mild cognitive impairment. In a single-center, randomized, parallel-group study, 113 patients (age, 65–89 years) were randomized to multidomain training (n=55) or usual care (n=58). All participants underwent neuropsychological tests and vascular evaluation, including brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity, carotid distensibility, and assessment of circulating hematopoietic CD34+ and endothelial progenitor cells. At study entry, an age-matched control group (n=45) was also studied. Compared with controls, patients had at study entry a reduced flow-mediated dilation (2.97±2.14% versus 3.73±2.06%;
P
=0.03) and hyperemic stimulus (shear rate area under the curve, 19.1±15.7 versus 25.7±15.1×10
−3
;
P
=0.009); only the latter remained significant after adjustment for confounders (
P
=0.03). Training improved Alzheimer disease assessment scale cognitive (training, 14.0±4.8 to 13.1±5.5; nontraining, 12.1±3.9 to 13.2±4.8;
P
for interaction visit×training=0.02), flow-mediated dilation (2.82±2.19% to 3.40±1.81%, 3.05±2.08% to 2.24±1.59%;
P
=0.006;
P
=0.023 after adjustment for diameter and shear rate area under the curve), and circulating hematopoietic CD34
+
cells and prevented the decline in carotid distensibility (18.4±5.3 to 20.0±6.6, 23.9±11.0 to 19.5±7.1 Pa
−1
;
P
=0.005). The only clinical predictor of improvement of cognitive function after training was established hypertension. There was no correlation between changes in measures of cognitive and vascular function. In conclusion, a multidomain training program slows cognitive decline, especially in hypertensive individuals. This effect is accompanied by improved systemic endothelial function, mobilization of progenitor CD34
+
cells, and preserved carotid distensibility.
Clinical Trial Registration—
URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01725178.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Bruno
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., L.G., S.T., U.B.)
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | - Francesco Stea
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., L.G., S.T., U.B.)
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | - Rosa Sicari
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | - Lorenzo Ghiadoni
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., L.G., S.T., U.B.)
| | - Stefano Taddei
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., L.G., S.T., U.B.)
| | | | - Ubaldo Bonuccelli
- From the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., L.G., S.T., U.B.)
| | - Gloria Tognoni
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Italy (A.U.); Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Italy (G.T., S.C.)
| | - Simona Cintoli
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Italy (A.U.); Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Italy (G.T., S.C.)
| | - Serena Del Turco
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | - Silverio Sbrana
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | - Luna Gargani
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | - Gennaro D’Angelo
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | - Lorenza Pratali
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
| | | | | | - Eugenio Picano
- Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy (R.M.B., F.S., R.S., S.D.T., S.S., L.G., G.D., L.P., E.P.)
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Pasquariello R, Herrick JR, Yuan Y, Ermisch AF, Becker J, Yao L, Broeckling C, Schoolcraft WB, Barfield JP, Krisher RL. 73 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Culture Medium with Reduced Nutrient Concentrations Improves Bovine Blastocyst Development Compared with Standard Culture Medium. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv30n1ab73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipids are a potent source of cellular energy and are metabolized within mitochondria via fatty acid β-oxidation, a process that also requires carnitine. Embryos metabolize lipids during pre-implantation development, but relatively little is known about the effect of fatty acid supplementation for early bovine embryogenesis in culture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lipid supplementation (via albumin) and l-carnitine (C; 5 mM) during embryo culture in a novel medium with reduced concentrations of nutrients, compared with our standard culture medium (control). Following in vitro maturation and IVF, zygotes were cultured using a serum-free sequential media system (0-72 h step 1; 72-168 h step 2). Concentrations of salts, bicarbonate, and protein [2.5 mg mL−1 fatty acid-free (FAF) or fraction V (FrV) BSA] were the same in all treatments to maintain consistent osmolarity and pH. Nutrients (glucose/fructose, citrate, lactate, pyruvate, amino acids, vitamins, and EDTA) were diluted to 6.25% of control. In addition to the control medium (100%+FAF; n = 587), experimental treatments included 6.25%+FAF+C (essentially lipid free; n = 573) and 6.25%+FrV+C (lipid rich; n = 585). Following in vitro culture (7 reps), hatching blastocysts were stained to determine inner cell mass (ICM; SOX2+) and trophectoderm (TE; CDX2+) cell numbers. Lipid content of single expanded blastocysts was determined using gas chromatography coupled to an ISQ-LT MS/MS (GC-MS). Data (mean ± SEM) were analysed by ANOVA. Embryo cleavage did not differ between treatments. Blastocyst development (per cleaved embryo) was higher (P < 0.05) after culture in lipid rich (38.3 ± 1.5%) compared with control (29.6 ± 2.2%) and lipid free (28.1 ± 3.6%). Blastocyst hatching was reduced (P < 0.05) in lipid free (1.4 ± 0.7%) but not in lipid rich (5.2 ± 1.7) compared with control (9.8 ± 2.1). However, blastocysts developed in lipid rich and lipid free had reduced cell numbers compared with control: TE, 98.7 ± 5.9 and 98.8 ± 9.1 v. 160.3 ± 9.0; ICM, 19.2 ± 2.9 and 25.2 ± 6.1 v. 43.3 ± 4.0; and total cell number, 117.9 ± 7.3 and 124.0 ± 8.7 v. 203.6 ± 10.2, respectively. Analysis by GC-MS identified 40 annotated lipids (i.e. triacylglycerols and phosphatidyl cholines) that were significantly reduced in blastocysts cultured in lipid rich compared with control. In summary, blastocyst development was significantly improved after supplementation of fatty acids and l-carnitine to a medium with reduced nutrient concentrations. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon may be related to increased lipid metabolism in the low nutrient environment. Although more embryos developed in this novel medium, these blastocysts had reduced cell numbers even though blastocyst expansion and hatching were not affected. This reduced nutrient medium may provide an experimental model in which to independently study pathways controlling cell proliferation and blastocyst development. Future studies will investigate whether embryo cell number can be rescued while maintaining improved blastocyst development.
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Krisher R, Pasquariello R, Ermisch A, McCormick S, Schoolcraft W. Mitochondrial function and mt-DNA content are associated with the poor quality of oocytes from patients of advanced maternal age. Fertil Steril 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.07.438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Rubegni A, Pisano T, Bacci G, Tessa A, Battini R, Procopio E, Giglio S, Pasquariello R, Santorelli FM, Guerrini R, Nesti C. Leigh-like neuroimaging features associated with new biallelic mutations in OPA1. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2017; 21:671-677. [PMID: 28442211 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2017.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Behr syndrome is characterized by the association of early onset optic atrophy, cerebellar ataxia, pyramidal signs, peripheral neuropathy and mental retardation. Recently, some cases were reported to be caused by biallelic mutations in OPA1. We describe an 11-year-old girl (Pt1) and a 7-year-old boy (Pt2) with cognitive delay, ataxic gait and clinical signs suggestive of a peripheral neuropathy, with onset in early infancy. In Pt1 ocular fundus examination revealed optic disk pallor whereas Pt2 exhibited severe optic atrophy. In both children neuroimaging detected a progressive cerebellar involvement accompanied by basal ganglia hyperintensities and pathological peak levels of lactate. In both patients, muscle biopsy showed diffuse reduction of cytochrome c oxidase stain, some atrophic fibers and type II fiber grouping. Using a targeted resequencing panel in next generation sequencing, we identified the homozygous c.1180G>A/p.Ala394Thr mutation in Pt1 and the c.2779-2A>C mutation in compound heterozygosity with the c.2809C>T/p.Arg937Cys mutation in Pt2. All variants were novel and segregated in the healthy parents. Expression of OPA1 protein was significantly reduced in muscle tissues of both patients by Western blotting. We also observed in patients' fibroblasts a higher proportion of fragmented and intermediate mitochondria upon galactose treatment compared to controls, as already seen in other patients harboring mutations in OPA1. The presence of Leigh-like neuroimaging features is a novel finding in Behr syndrome and further adds to the complex genotype-phenotype correlations in OPA1-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rubegni
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Tiziana Pisano
- Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Bacci
- Pediatric Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Elena Procopio
- Metabolic and Neuromuscular Unit, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy
| | - Sabrina Giglio
- Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Renzo Guerrini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Italy.
| | - Claudia Nesti
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
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Milone R, Ferrari AR, Pasquariello R, Bargagna S. Complex Phenotype of a Boy With De Novo 16p13.3-13.2 Interstitial Deletion. Child Neurol Open 2016; 3:2329048X16676153. [PMID: 28503620 PMCID: PMC5417293 DOI: 10.1177/2329048x16676153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Interstitial deletions encompassing chromosome 16p13.3-13.2 are rarely described in the literature, whereas terminal deletions or duplications involving this region are slightly more frequently described. The authors describe a boy harboring a de novo 16p13.3-13.2 interstitial deletion, with intellectual disability, verbal dyspraxia, epilepsy, and a distinctive brain magnetic resonance finding, namely a nodular heterotopia. The authors found partial genotype–phenotype correspondences regarding epilepsy and intellectual disability, which have been associated with 16p1 region. Conversely, nodular heterotopia and verbal dyspraxia have not been clearly related to this region. These data are in agreement with the emerging concept that similar copy number variants may be the general risk factors for distinct disorders. Verbal dyspraxia, which has not responded to speech therapy, is the child’s most disabling trait. In view of the above, genetic studies should be appraised in cases of serious speech difficulties, especially if they are associated with intellectual disability and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Milone
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
- Roberta Milone, MD, Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331/A, 56128 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Anna Rita Ferrari
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Bargagna
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
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Fiori S, Guzzetta A, Mitra J, Pannek K, Pasquariello R, Cipriani P, Tosetti M, Cioni G, Rose SE, Chilosi A. Neuroanatomical correlates of childhood apraxia of speech: A connectomic approach. Neuroimage Clin 2016; 12:894-901. [PMID: 27882295 PMCID: PMC5114583 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a paediatric speech sound disorder in which precision and consistency of speech movements are impaired. Most children with idiopathic CAS have normal structural brain MRI. We hypothesize that children with CAS have altered structural connectivity in speech/language networks compared to controls and that these altered connections are related to functional speech/language measures. Whole brain probabilistic tractography, using constrained spherical deconvolution, was performed for connectome generation in 17 children with CAS and 10 age-matched controls. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was used as a measure of connectivity and the connections with altered FA between CAS and controls were identified. Further, the relationship between altered FA and speech/language scores was determined. Three intra-hemispheric/interhemispheric subnetworks showed reduction of FA in CAS compared to controls, including left inferior (opercular part) and superior (dorsolateral, medial and orbital part) frontal gyrus, left superior and middle temporal gyrus and left post-central gyrus (subnetwork 1); right supplementary motor area, left middle and inferior (orbital part) frontal gyrus, left precuneus and cuneus, right superior occipital gyrus and right cerebellum (subnetwork 2); right angular gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus and right inferior occipital gyrus (subnetwork 3). Reduced FA of some connections correlated with diadochokinesis, oromotor skills, expressive grammar and poor lexical production in CAS. These findings provide evidence of structural connectivity anomalies in children with CAS across specific brain regions involved in speech/language function. We propose altered connectivity as a possible epiphenomenon of complex pathogenic mechanisms in CAS which need further investigation. Connectivity anomalies are present in children with Childhood Apraxia of Speech. Connectivity anomalies include brain regions involved in speech/language function. Altered connectivity correlates with a measure of speech/language dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Fiori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Corresponding author at: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Foundation, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy.Department of Developmental NeuroscienceStella Maris FoundationViale del Tirreno 331Pisa56128Italy
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Jhimli Mitra
- CSIRO, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Centre for Computational Informatics, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kerstin Pannek
- Department of Computing, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michela Tosetti
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stephen E Rose
- CSIRO, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Centre for Computational Informatics, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Anna Chilosi
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
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Tessa A, Battini R, Rubegni A, Storti E, Marini C, Galatolo D, Pasquariello R, Santorelli FM. Identification of mutations in AP4S1/SPG52 through next generation sequencing in three families. Eur J Neurol 2016; 23:1580-7. [PMID: 27444738 DOI: 10.1111/ene.13085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The term hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) covers a spectrum of genetically heterogeneous disorders in which lower limb spasticity is the common clinical feature. Many patients with childhood-onset HSP are mistakenly diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS A group of as yet molecularly undiagnosed HSP patients were analyzed using SpastoPlex, a customized target re-sequencing panel able to investigate the coding regions of 72 genes linked to HSP, spastic ataxias or related motor diseases. RESULTS Our investigations identified loss-of-function mutations in AP4S1/SPG52 in four children (three families) who had previously received a diagnosis of diplegic/quadriplegic CP. The patients presented spastic paraparesis, mild facial dysmorphisms, moderate-to-severe intellectual disability and severe speech delay. Two patients manifested febrile seizures and childhood-onset focal seizures. In all the patients, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a peculiar hypoplastic posterior corpus callosum, often associated with ventriculomegaly, white matter loss and cerebral atrophy. CONCLUSION Adaptor protein 4 (AP-4) deficiency disorders should be suspected in children with spastic paraparesis, cognitive deficit and absent speech accompanied by suggestive MRI features. Seizures might be amongst the clinical manifestations of the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tessa
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Battini
- Child Neurology, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - A Rubegni
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - E Storti
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - C Marini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Children's Hospital 'A. Meyer', University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - D Galatolo
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - F M Santorelli
- Molecular Medicine and Neurogenetics, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy. .,Child Neurology, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
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Astrea G, Pezzini I, Picillo E, Pasquariello R, Moro F, Ergoli M, D'Ambrosio P, D'Amico A, Politano L, Santorelli FM. TMEM5-associated dystroglycanopathy presenting with CMD and mild limb-girdle muscle involvement. Neuromuscul Disord 2016; 26:459-61. [PMID: 27212206 PMCID: PMC4925463 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We studied a CMD patient with structural brain abnormalities. Next-generation sequencing identified a reported variant in TMEM5. We expanded the spectrum of TMEM5-associated disorders.
The dystroglycanopathies, which are caused by reduced glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by variable brain and skeletal muscle involvement. Recently, mutations in TMEM5 have been described in severe dystroglycanopathies. We present the clinical, molecular and neuroimaging features of an Italian boy who had delayed developmental milestones with mild limb-girdle muscle involvement, bilateral frontotemporal polymicrogyria, moderate intellectual disability, and no cerebellar involvement. He also presented a cochlear dysplasia and harbored a reported mutation (p.A47Rfs*42) in TMEM5, detected using targeted next-generation sequencing. The relatively milder muscular phenotype and associated structural brain abnormalities distinguish this case from previously reported patients with severe dystroglycanopathies and expand the spectrum of TMEM5-associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ester Picillo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Manuela Ergoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola D'Ambrosio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Unit for Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Luisa Politano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Fiori S, Poretti A, Pannek K, Del Punta R, Pasquariello R, Tosetti M, Guzzetta A, Rose S, Cioni G, Battini R. Diffusion Tractography Biomarkers of Pediatric Cerebellar Hypoplasia/Atrophy: Preliminary Results Using Constrained Spherical Deconvolution. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2016; 37:917-23. [PMID: 26659337 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Advances in MR imaging modeling have improved the feasibility of reconstructing crossing fibers, with increasing benefits in delineating angulated tracts such as cerebellar tracts by using tractography. We hypothesized that constrained spherical deconvolution-based probabilistic tractography could successfully reconstruct cerebellar tracts in children with cerebellar hypoplasia/atrophy and that diffusion scalars of the reconstructed tracts could differentiate pontocerebellar hypoplasia, nonprogressive cerebellar hypoplasia, and progressive cerebellar atrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen children with cerebellar ataxia and pontocerebellar hypoplasia, nonprogressive cerebellar hypoplasia or progressive cerebellar atrophy and 7 controls were included in this study. Cerebellar and corticospinal tracts were reconstructed by using constrained spherical deconvolution. Scalar measures (fractional anisotropy and mean, axial and radial diffusivity) were calculated. A general linear model was used to determine differences among groups for diffusion MR imaging scalar measures, and post hoc pair-wise comparisons were performed. RESULTS Cerebellar and corticospinal tracts were successfully reconstructed in all subjects. Significant differences in diffusion MR imaging scalars were found among groups, with fractional anisotropy explaining the highest variability. All groups with cerebellar pathologies showed lower fractional anisotropy compared with controls, with the exception of cerebellar hypoplasia. CONCLUSIONS This study shows the feasibility of constrained spherical deconvolution to reconstruct cerebellar and corticospinal tracts in children with morphologic cerebellar pathologies. In addition, the preliminary results show the potential utility of quantitative analysis of scalars of the cerebellar white matter tracts in children with cerebellar pathologies such as cerebellar hypoplasia and atrophy. Further studies with larger cohorts of patients are needed to validate the clinical significance of our preliminary results.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fiori
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - A Poretti
- Section of Pediatric Neuroradiology (A.P.), Division of Pediatric Radiology, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - K Pannek
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (K.P., S.R.), Centre for Computational Informatics, Brisbane, Australia Department of Computing (K.P.), Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - R Del Punta
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - R Pasquariello
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - M Tosetti
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
| | - A Guzzetta
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.G., G.C.), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Rose
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (K.P., S.R.), Centre for Computational Informatics, Brisbane, Australia
| | - G Cioni
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (A.G., G.C.), University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - R Battini
- From Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Stella Maris Foundation (S.F., R.D.P., R.P., M.T., A.G., G.C., R.B.), Pisa, Italy
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Pasquariello R, Fiandanese N, Viglino A, Pocar P, Williams JL, Gandolfi F. 148 FOLLICULAR FLUID microRNA SEQUENCES AS BIOMARKERS OF COMPETENT OOCYTES IN CATTLE. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/rdv28n2ab148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Oocyte developmental competence is correlated with antral follicle count through ill-defined mechanisms. Oocytes from ovaries with fewer than 10 mid-antral follicles of 2 to 6 mm in diameter (low group) show reduced competence compared with those from ovaries with more than 10 follicles (high group). To unravel mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, this work explored the role of follicular fluid microRNAs (miRNAs, short non-coding RNAs regulating gene expression at the post-transcriptional level). A total of 3 pools of 300 µL of follicular fluid (FF) were collected from mid-antral follicles of low (L) and high (H) groups, respectively. Following miRNA extraction and library preparation, deep sequencing was carried out on Illumina HisEqn 2000 (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified with R package edgeR (http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/edgeR.html). Target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted with DIANA miRPath using homologous human miRNA and gene union options (P < 0.01). Gene ontology (GO) analysis was carried out by Cytoscape (http://www.cytoscape.org/) using a bovine database. In total, 1279 miRNAs were identified in FF: 805 ± 139 in L and 862 ± 36 in H (P > 0.05). We found that 27 miRNAs were differentially expressed (false discovery rate ≤0.001): 17 were up-regulated in L and 10 in H. Up-regulated miRNAs in L group were predicted to target 121 genes, 39 of which are specific for ovarian function (e.g. BCL2, FOXO3, KIT, TP53, and PTK2). The GO analysis indicated that these genes were kinases, anti-apoptotic and oncogenic factors, and enriched stress-activated MAPK cascade mediated by oxygen reactive species, G1/S transition checkpoint, cellular response to interleukin-1, and negative regulation of cellular adhesion. Overexpressed miRNAs in H group were predicted to target 92 genes, 22 of which (e.g. MAPK, APC, JNK, PKA) are involved in folliculogenesis. These genes were represented by kinases, apoptotic and cytoskeleton remodelling factors, and enriched very important ovarian processes such as cell cycle, ephrin receptor, smoothened and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity GO processes. Only 7 target genes were common between the 2 groups, 2 of which were important in ovarian functionality (CDKN1A and ITGA5). Interestingly, overexpressed miRNAs in both groups regulate several genes involved in processes apparently not related to folliculogenesis. Finally, regulation can be exerted also by low levels of specific miRNAs such as miR-320, which was reduced in L group and is known to be associated with premature ovarian senescence in women and decreased developmental potential of mouse oocytes. Our results indicate that the different oocyte quality is associated with a different miRNA blueprint, which may alter the expression of several genes relevant for intra- and extra-ovarian processes. Further studies will be necessary to determine if FF miRNAs can act outside the ovary and if their levels can be detected in the bloodstream thereby becoming possible noninvasive, real-time markers to determine oocyte quality in living animals.
This study was supported by FP7-KBBE-2012-FECUND-312097.
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Chilosi AM, Lorenzini I, Fiori S, Graziosi V, Rossi G, Pasquariello R, Cipriani P, Cioni G. Behavioral and neurobiological correlates of childhood apraxia of speech in Italian children. Brain Lang 2015; 150:177-85. [PMID: 26552038 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) is a neurogenic Speech Sound Disorder whose etiology and neurobiological correlates are still unclear. In the present study, 32 Italian children with idiopathic CAS underwent a comprehensive speech and language, genetic and neuroradiological investigation aimed to gather information on the possible behavioral and neurobiological markers of the disorder. The results revealed four main aggregations of behavioral symptoms that indicate a multi-deficit disorder involving both motor-speech and language competence. Six children presented with chromosomal alterations. The familial aggregation rate for speech and language difficulties and the male to female ratio were both very high in the whole sample, supporting the hypothesis that genetic factors make substantial contribution to the risk of CAS. As expected in accordance with the diagnosis of idiopathic CAS, conventional MRI did not reveal macrostructural pathogenic neuroanatomical abnormalities, suggesting that CAS may be due to brain microstructural alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Chilosi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze dell'Età Evolutiva, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Irene Lorenzini
- Laboratorio di Linguistica 'Giovanni Nencioni', Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Fiori
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze dell'Età Evolutiva, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valentina Graziosi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze dell'Età Evolutiva, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rossi
- Unità di Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Richerche, Via G.Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze dell'Età Evolutiva, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze dell'Età Evolutiva, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze dell'Età Evolutiva, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128 Pisa, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Battini R, Bertelloni S, Astrea G, Casarano M, Travaglini L, Baroncelli G, Pasquariello R, Bertini E, Cioni G. Longitudinal follow up of a boy affected by Pol III-related leukodystrophy: a detailed phenotype description. BMC Med Genet 2015. [PMID: 26204956 PMCID: PMC4557838 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-015-0203-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Background The 4H syndrome (hypomyelination, hypodontia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) is a newly recognized leukodystrophy. The classical form is characterized by the association of hypomyelination, abnormal dentition, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, but the recent identification of two genes (POLR3A and POLR3B) responsible for the syndrome demonstrates that these three main characteristics can be variably combined among “Pol-III (polymerase III)-related leukodystrophies.” Case presentation We report on the clinical, neuroradiological and endocrinological follow-up of a male affected by 4H syndrome with confirmed POLR3B mutations (c.1568 T > A/p.V523E variant in exon 15 and the novel c.1988C > T/p.T663I mutation in exon 19). Spastic-ataxic gait with worsening of motor performance, progressive moderate intellectual disability and language difficulties were the main neurological findings observed. The first six years of substantial stability of the clinical and imaging features were followed by additional six years that showed a progressive worsening of motor, language and learning disabilities in relation to a progression of the cerebellar involvement. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and growth hormone deficiency followed by central hypocortisolism became part of the patient’s phenotype. Thyroid function resulted unaffected during follow up. Conclusions A novel mutation in POLR3B in a patient with an analogue phenotype than those previously described but with more extensive endocrinological features, including hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency and hypocortisolism, was described. These findings permit to better define the clinical spectrum of the disease, to direct specific genetic tests and to tailor clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Battini
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, , Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Silvano Bertelloni
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics, Pediatric Division, Santa Chiara University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Guja Astrea
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, , Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Manuela Casarano
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, , Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lorena Travaglini
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ospedale Bambino Gesù Research Chidren's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giampiero Baroncelli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics, Pediatric Division, Santa Chiara University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, , Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Ospedale Bambino Gesù Research Chidren's Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Viale del Tirreno 331, 56128, , Calambrone, Pisa, Italy. .,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Fiori S, Pannek K, Pasquariello R, Ware RS, Cioni G, Rose SE, Boyd RN, Guzzetta A. Corticopontocerebellar Connectivity Disruption in Congenital Hemiplegia. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2015; 29:858-66. [PMID: 25613985 DOI: 10.1177/1545968314568726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crossed cerebellar diaschisis is the disruption of functional connectivity between cerebrum and cerebellum after hemispheric unilateral brain lesions. In adults and to a lesser extent in children, crossed cerebellar diaschisis has been largely investigated by functional connectivity and demonstrated to influence paretic hand function. OBJECTIVE We aim to demonstrate a disruption in structural corticopontocerebellar (CPC) connectivity in children with congenital brain lesions and examine its correlation with paretic hand motor function. METHODS Thirty-six children (Manual Ability Classification System: I, n = 21; II, n = 15) with unilateral brain lesions and 18 controls were analyzed in a case-control study, and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired at 3T. High angular resolution diffusion imaging probabilistic tractography was employed for the region of interest-based reconstruction of CPC tracts. To identify statistical differences in structural cerebrocerebellar connectivity between case and control groups, an asymmetry index based on the number of streamlines of CPC tracts was used. In the case group, the correlation between asymmetry index and hand function measures was also determined. RESULTS Projections through the middle cerebellar peduncle to the contralateral cerebral cortex showed greater asymmetry in children with congenital unilateral brain lesion compared to controls (P = .03), thus indicating a disruption of structural cerebrocerebellar connectivity. The degree of asymmetry index showed a correlation (P < .03; r = -0.31) with impaired hand abilities in bimanual tasks. CONCLUSIONS Disruption of structural cerebrocerebellar connectivity is present in patients with congenital unilateral brain injury and might be related to impaired hand function in bimanual skills, with potential implication in tailoring early intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Fiori
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Kerstin Pannek
- Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rosa Pasquariello
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Robert S Ware
- School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Queensland Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Giovanni Cioni
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stephen E Rose
- The Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Roslyn N Boyd
- Queensland Cerebral Palsy and Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrea Guzzetta
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Canapicchi R, Tosetti M, Pasquariello R, Fiori S, Battini R, Cioni G. In Memoriam: Dr.ssa Anna Maria Valleriani. Neuroradiol J 2014. [DOI: 10.15274/nrj-2014-10015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R. Canapicchi
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - M. Tosetti
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - R. Pasquariello
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - S. Fiori
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - R. Battini
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
| | - G. Cioni
- E tutti, ma proprio tutti, quelli che lavorano alla Stella Maris
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Mazzeo S, Cappelli C, Caramella D, Belcari A, Forasassi F, Battaglia V, Giannini A, Pasquariello R, Pallocci S, Caproni G, Marcocci C, Pinchera A, Miccoli P, Bartolozzi C. Multidetector CT in diagnostic work-up of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Radiol Med 2007; 112:763-75. [PMID: 17673955 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-007-0179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2006] [Accepted: 10/26/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was performed to evaluate the accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in detecting parathyroid lesions in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS We included 60 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Preoperative first-line examinations revealed negative and doubtful ultrasound (US) findings in 34 and 26 cases, respectively, and negative, doubtful and positive scintigraphic findings in 19, 20 and 21 cases, respectively. CT findings were compared with the surgical results. RESULTS CT examination was positive in 35 cases, negative in 15 cases and doubtful in ten cases. Forty out of 60 patients underwent surgery, and 39 lesions (37 adenomas, two primary hyperplasias) were identified. Surgery was negative in two cases. In eight cases, lesions had ectopic location. Surgery confirmed the CT findings in 23 positive cases. In 8/10 doubtful cases, surgery confirmed the location of the lesion in five cases, identified the ectopic location of lesions in two cases, and was negative in one case. In 9/15 cases with negative CT findings, surgery identified the lesion in eight cases. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy values were 78%, 25% and 73%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS MDCT is an accurate second-line diagnostic technique in the detection of parathyroid lesions, allowing exploration of the entire cervical and mediastinal regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mazzeo
- Divisione di Radiologia Diagnostica e Interventistica, Dipartimento di Oncologia, Trapianti e Nuove Tecnologie in Medicina, Pisa, Italy.
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Pasquariello R, Pecchioni G. [Training the military physician]. Minerva Anestesiol 1991; 57:1443-6. [PMID: 1795766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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