Application of Optical Genome Mapping Technology in Detecting Complex Chromosomal Rearrangement / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo investigate the application of optical genome mapping （OGM） technology in detecting complex chromosomal rearrangement. MethodsWe recruited five patients who were diagnosed as complex chromosomal rearrangement at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2022 to June 2023. They underwent OGM， nanopore sequencing and pre-implantation genetic testing （PGT）. The results were compared with the results of karyotype and chromosomal microarray analysis （CMA）/ copy number variation sequencing （CNV-Seq）. ResultsOGM could detect translocation， invert inversion， and triplet translocation， which were consistent with the results of OGM and CMA/ CNV-Seq. But OGM could not detect Robertsonian translocation. ConclusionBecause of its ultra-long reads， OGM realizes the detection across repetitive regions， and it has great advantages when applied in patients with complex chromosome rearrangement or uncertain karyotype analysis. It can accurately locate breakpoints.

Presencia de duplicación 2p25.3 y síndrome de microdeleción 2q37.3 en un mismo individuo / Presence of 2p25.3 Duplication and 2q37.3 Microdeletion Syndrome in the Same Individual / Presença de duplicação 2p25.3 e síndrome da microdeleção 2p25.3 no mesmo indivíduo

Resumen: El estudio del cromosoma 2 en los seres humanos ha permitido reconocer que su alteración, basada en una localización específica, puede conducir a diversas enfermedades asociadas. Mediante la identificación fenotípica, sustentada en el estudio molecular de hibridación genómica comparativa y un estudio bioinformático posterior, se detectó la presencia de una duplicación patogénica en la región cromosómica 2p25.3p24.3, relacionada con la afección de 36 genes. Adicionalmente, se identificó una deleción patogénica en la citobanda 2q37.3, relacionada con la afección de 36 genes. El análisis bioinformático demostró interacciones entre genes que explican características sintomatológicas. Esta es la primera vez que se presentan estas dos variantes en un mismo individuo. Ambas alteraciones se han asociado con retraso psicomotor moderado, autismo, neurohipófisis ectópica, aracnodactilia, cardiopatía congénita y alteraciones cardiovasculares. Se ha propuesto que la mutación HDAC4 es la causante de la mayoría de las características del síndrome de microdeleción 2q37. El fenotipo clínico heterogéneo es el resultado del reordenamiento cromosómico encontrado, lo cual permite describir, interpretar y dar un tratamiento oportuno y dirigido a la paciente y la respectiva conserjería genética familiar. Finalmente, esta es la primera vez que se reporta este tipo específico de reordenamiento cromosómico.

Abstract: The study of chromosome 2 in humans has allowed recognizing that its alteration, based on a specific location, can lead to various associated diseases. Through the phenotypic identification, supported by comparative genomic hybridization and subsequent bioinformatic analysis, the presence of a pathogenic duplication was detected in the chromosomal region 2p25.3p24.3 affecting 36 genes. Additionally, a pathogenic deletion was identified in cytoband 2q37.3 affecting 36 genes. The bioinformatic analysis showed interactions among genes that explain symptomatic characteristics. This is the first time that these two variants are present in the same individual. Both disorders have been associated with moderate psychomotor retardation, autism, ectopic neurohypophysis, arachnodactyly, congenital heart disease, and cardiovascular disorders. The hdac4 mutation has been suggested to cause most of the features of 2q37 microdeletion syndrome. The heterogeneous clinical phenotype derives from the chromosomal rearrangement found, which allows describing, interpreting, and providing the patient with timely targeted treatment and the respective family genetic counseling. Finally, this specific type of chromosomal rearrangement has been reported for the first time.

Resumo: O estudo do cromossomo 2 em seres humanos nos permitiu reconhecer que sua alteração, com base em uma localização específica, pode levar a diversas doenças associadas. Por meio da identificação fenotípica, apoiada no estudo molecular da hibridação genômica comparativa e em um estudo bioinformático posterior, foi detectada a presença de uma duplicação patogénica na região cromossômica 2p25.3p24.3, relacionada a 36 genes afetados. Além disso, uma deleção patogénica foi identificada na citobanda 2q37.3, relacionada a 36 genes afetados. A análise bioinformática mostrou interações entre genes que explicam características sintomáticas. É a primeira vez que essas duas variantes são apresentadas no mesmo indivíduo. Ambos os distúrbios tém sido associados a retardo psicomotor moderado, autismo, neuro-hipófise ectópica, aracnodactilia, doenças cardíacas congénitas e distúrbios cardiovasculares. Propõe-se que a mutação hdac4 é a causa da maioria das características da síndrome de microdeleção 2q37. O fenótipo clínico heterogéneo é o resultado do rearranjo cromossômico encontrado, que permite descrever, interpretar e oferecer um tratamento oportuno direcionado ao paciente e ao respectivo aconselhamento genético familiar. Finalmente, também é a primeira vez que esse tipo específico de rearranjo cromossômico é relatado.

Global methylation status of sperm DNA in carriers of chromosome structural aberrations / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Male infertility might be clearly associated with aberrant DNA methylation patterns in human spermatozoa. An association between oxidative stress and the global methylation status of the sperm genome has also been suggested. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the global sperm DNA methylation status was affected in the spermatozoa of carriers of chromosome structural aberrations.

Identificação e estudo de biomarcadores personalizados para avaliação e seguimento de pacientes com câncer de reto tratados com quimioradioterapia neoadjuvante / Identification and study of personalized biomarkers for assessment and follow-up of patients with rectal cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

O tratamento padrão para pacientes com câncer de reto localmente avançado consiste no uso de quimioradioterapia neoadjuvante (QRTn), seguida por cirurgia. Uma fração significativa dos pacientes responde completamente ao tratamento e no momento da reavaliação não apresenta evidência clínica nem radiológica de doença. Uma abordagem alternativa, Watch and Wait, propõe não operar imediatamente esses pacientes e submetê-los a um protocolo de observação frequente, a fim de evitar as morbidades associadas à cirurgia. No entanto, a avaliação da resposta ao tratamento ainda é um desafio, devido à subjetividade da avaliação clínica e a ausência de exames radiológicos suficientemente sensíveis e específicos para garantir a ausência de células tumorais residuais ou capazes de detectar a recorrência precoce da doença. DNA circulante contendo alterações genéticas específicas do tumor (ctDNA) pode ser encontrado na fração livre de células do sangue e tem sido utilizado para monitorar a dinâmica tumoral em tumores sólidos. Avanços recentes das tecnologias de sequenciamento permitem a identificação eficiente e rápida e a um custo relativamente baixo de alterações genéticas em tumores individuais, superando o problema imposto pela ausência de alterações genéticas recorrentes nesses tumores. Essas alterações podem ser utilizadas como biomarcadores personalizados para monitorar a resposta ao tratamento, detectar doença residual e a recidiva precoce do tumor. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e estudar biomarcadores personalizados em pacientes com câncer de reto localmente avançado tratados com QRTn e avaliar a capacidade desses biomarcadores para monitorar a dinâmica tumoral, e auxiliar na definição da conduta cirúrgica e na detecção da recidiva precoce da doença. Biópsias de seis pacientes com adenocarcinoma de reto distal (cT2- 3N0-1M0), foram coletadas prospectivamente pré-tratamento. O DNA genômico extraído a partir das biópsias foi usado para construir bibliotecas tipo mate-pair para o sequenciamento do genoma completo, utilizando a plataforma SOLiD. Rearranjos inter e intracromossômicos foram identificados utilizando programas computacionais desenvolvidos pelo nosso grupo de pesquisa e em seguida foram validados utilizando PCR e sequenciamento Sanger. Foram validadas, pelo menos, três variações estruturais para cada paciente. Amostras de plasma foram coletadas no momento do diagnóstico, depois da QRTn e durante o seguimento. DNA circulante total foi extraído a partir das amostras de plasma e ensaios personalizados foram desenvolvidos para monitorar a presença de variações estruturais através de PCR Digital. ctDNA foi detectado em todas amostras de plasma pré-tratamento de pacientes com tumores T3. A detecção desses biomarcadores apresentou boa correlação com a resposta ao tratamento, no entanto, esta abordagem não foi sensível o suficiente para detectar doença residual. Para dois pacientes que desenvolveram doença metastática foi verificado um aumento nos níveis de ctDNA com pelo menos 36 semanas antes do diagnóstico clínico de doença metastática, sendo possível correlacionar os níveis de ctDNA detectados em coletas subsequentes com a resposta ao tratamento sistêmico de segunda linha. Este estudo, embora de caráter exploratório, gerou dados relevantes e suficientes para justificar a realização de estudos adicionais para avaliar a aplicação dos biomarcadores personalizados na definição da conduta cirúrgica e no acompanhamento de pacientes com câncer de reto tratados com QRTn

The standard treatment for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer comprises in neoadjuvant chemo radiotherapy (nCRT), followed by surgery. A significant fraction of these patients show complete response to the treatment and at the time of reassessment, there are no clinical and nor radiological evidence of residual tumor. An alternative approach, Watch and Wait, proposes not to immediately operate these patients, but to submit them to a protocol of frequent observation in order to avoid the morbidities associated with radical surgery. However, assessment of treatment response remains a significant challenge due to the subjectivity of the clinical examination and to the lack of sufficiently sensitive tools to ensure the absence of tumor cells or to detect early disease recurrence. Circulating DNA carrying tumor-specific genetic alterations (circulating tumor DNA - ctDNA) can be found in the cell-free fraction of the blood and has been successfully used to monitor the tumor dynamics in solid tumors. Recent advances in sequencing technologies have enabled the rapid and cost effective identification of genetic alterations in individual tumors, overcoming the problem imposed by the absence of recurrent genetic alterations in these tumors. These alterations can be used as personalized biomarkers to monitor treatment response, detect residual disease and early tumor recurrence. The purpose of this work was to identify and validate the use of personalized biomarkers for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated with nCRT and to evaluate the ability of these biomarkers to monitor the tumor dynamics, to define surgical approach and to detect early recurrence of the disease. Pre-treatment biopsies from 6 patients with cT2-3N0-1M0 distal rectal adenocarcinoma were prospectively collected. Genomic DNA extracted from the biopsies was used to construct mate-pair libraries for whole genome sequencing using SOLiD platform. Inter and intrachromosomal rearrangements were identified using an in-house bioinformatics pipeline and validated using PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. At least three structural variations were validated for each patient. Plasma samples were collect at diagnosis, after nCRT and follow-up. Circulating DNA was obtained from the plasma samples and personalized assays were designed to monitor the presence of structural variations using Droplet Digital PCR. ctDNA was detected in all pre-treatment plasma samples for patients with T3 tumors. The detection of these biomarkers showed a good correlation with the treatment response, nonetheless, the approach was not sensitive enough to detect residual disease. In two patients who developed metastatic disease, an increase in ctDNA levels was observed at least 36 weeks before clinical detection of metastatic disease, and it was possible to correlate the level of ctDNA in subsequent plasma samples with response to the second-line treatment. This study, although exploratory, generated relevant and sufficient data to support additional studies to evaluate the use of personalized biomarkers in the surgical management and follow-up of rectal cancer patients treated with nCRT

Derivative chromosome 11 in a child resulting from a complex rearrangement involving chromosomes 3, 6 and 11 in father: Significance of parental karyotyping.

The presence of derivative chromosome in a child with phenotypic features necessitates the need of parental karyotyping to ascertain the exact amount of loss or gain of the genetic material. The aim of this study was to emphasize the importance of parental karyotyping. Cytogenetic evaluation of the proband and his father were carried out at Laboratory. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on phytohemagglutinin stimulated cultures. The derivative chromosome 11 in proband was ascertained to have additional material from chromosome 6p arising from complex chromosomal rearrangement in the father. Karyotyping is the basic, cost-effective preliminary investigation in a child with mental subnormality or congenital anomalies.

A Complex Chromosomal Rearrangement Involving 46,XX,t(1;7;16)(p32.1;q22;q13) in a Female with Recurrent Miscarriages After in vitro Fertilization

Balanced complex chromosomal rearrangements involving three or more chromosomes are often detected in phenotypically normal female patients with an adverse obstetric history. Here, we report a 32-yr-old phenotypically normal female with a history of multiple in vitro fertilization (IVF) failures and carrying a balanced complex chromosomal rearrangement involving chromosomes 1, 7, and 16. Cytogenetic analysis revealed the following complex karyotype: 46,XX,t(1;7;16)(p32.1;q22;q13). The patient achieved a twin pregnancy after IVF, although no heartbeat was detected during the sixth gestational week checkup. Tissues from intrauterine fetal demise were tested for chromosomal analysis and revealed 46,XX,t(1;7;16)(p32.1;q22;q13)mat and 46,XY,der(1)t(1;16)(p32.1;q13),der(7)t(1;7) (p32.1;q22)mat. This case illustrates the importance of chromosomal analysis in infertile females or infertile females with multiple IVF failures. Therefore, it would be beneficial for patients visiting infertility clinics to undergo cytogenetic screening for complex chromosome rearrangements before further counseling and prenatal investigations.

Lactam nonanic acid, a new substance from Cleome viscosa with allelopathic.

Cleome viscosa L. (Capparidaceae) is well known for its medicinal properties. Lactam nonanoic acid (LNA) [2-amino-9-(4-oxoazetidin-2-yl)-nonanoic acid; C12H22N2O3, mol. wt. 242] has been isolated and purified from the root exudates of Cleome viscosa. The aqueous solution of this pure compound has been tested on bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus) and fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus, A. niger and A. tamarii). At a dosage of 500 ppm and above, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were totally inhibited while E. coli remained unaffected. On the other hand, growth of A. niger and A. tamarii was stimulated while there was no effect on A. fumigatus. This pure compound showed concentration-dependent inhibitory activity on rice, gram and mustard seeds.

Cytogenetics studies in Brazilian species of Pseudophyllinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae): 2n(♂)=35 and fn=35 the probable basic and ancestral karyotype of the family tettigoniidae

The karyotypes of five species of Brazilian Pseudophyllinae belonging to four tribes were here studied. The data available in the literature altogether with those obtained with species in here studied allowed us to infer that 2n(♂)=35 is the highest chromosome number found in the family Tettigoniidae and that it is present in species belonging to Pseudophyllinae, Zaprochilinae and in one species of Tettigoniinae. In spite of that all five species exhibit secondary karyotypes arisen surely by a mechanism of chromosomal rearrangement of centric fusion, tandem fusion and centric inversion types from those with 2n(♂)=35 and FN=35, they share some common traits. The X chromosome is submetacentric (FN=36), heteropicnotic during the first prophase, the largest of the set but its size is rather variable among the species and the sex chromosomal mechanism is of the XO( ♂ ), XX( ♀ ) type. The chromosomal rearrangements involved in the karyotype evolution of the Pseudophyllinae and its relationship with those of the family Tettigoniidae are discussed and we propose that the basic and the ancestral karyotype of the Tettigoniidae is formed by 2n(♂)=35, FN=35 and not by 2n(♂)=31, FN= 31, as usually accepted.

Thyroid Tumorigenesis / 대한내분비외과학회지

Thyroid tumors display an intriguing biological diversity from benign follicular adenomas to lethal anaplastic carcinomas. Thyroid tumorigenesis is becoming better understood. Benign follicular adenomas are frequently associated with mutation of the thyrotrophin receptor, G alpha s or RAS. Although confirmatory studies are necessary, the present knowledge concerning the similarity in gene expression profiling between follicular adenomas and follicular carcinomas supports the progression of adenoma to carcinoma sequence. Four major genetic aberrations in follicular cellderived thyroid carcinomas such as papillary, follicular, and Hurthle cell carcinomas include mutations of BRAF or RAS, and chromosomal rearrangement of RET/papillary thyroid tumor or PAX8/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Differentiated thyroid carcinomas of follicular cell origin dedifferentate to poorly differentiated or anaplastic thyroid carcinomas through mutation of p53 and CTNNB1. Familial nonmedullary thyroid carcinomas are heterogenous in genetic profiling, but some genes have been investigated as candidates for causative genetic aberration. Ret mutations can cause medullary thyroid carcinomas. A genotype- phenotype relationship helps to decide prophylactic thyroidectomiesin family members of hereditary medullary carcinomas such as MENIIa or MENIIb. Primary thyroid lymphomasare closely related with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Recent novel and promising findings include additional abnormalities in the regulation of microRNA expression, polymorphisms associated with thyroid cancer susceptibility and epigenetic changes. A newly proposed fetal cell carcinogenesis hypothesis explains more about thyroid tumorigenesis than classical multi-step carcinogenesis model, but is not yet firmly supported by evidence. Future studies need to uncover new molecular mechanisms in thyroid tumorigenesis and to provide novel therapeutic targets for thyroid carcinomas.

Screening of Subtelomeric Rearrangements in 100 Korean Pediatric Patients with Unexplained Mental Retardation and Anomalies Using Subtelomeric FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization)

Rearrangements of the subtelomeric regions of chromosomes account for a significant proportion of the underlying genetic defects in both idiopathic mental retardation (MR) and multiple congenital anomalies. To detect the rearrangements, a set of subtelomeric fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes has been developed. The aim of this study was to reveal the frequency of subtelomeric rearrangements in Korean patients with MR or multiple anomalies. We performed a FISH study using a commercially available subtelomeric FISH probes on a series of unrelated Korean pediatric patients with MR or multiple anomalies without identifiable causes. We used a checklist to evaluate the developmental delay and/or MR. Patients who were shown to have chromosome abnormalities, metabolic disorders, or recognizable dysmorphic syndromes by clinical and laboratory findings were excluded. As a result, 100 patients were eligible for the Subtelomeric FISH study, and a total of 29 patients (29%) were suspected to have subtelomeric rearrangements on initial screening by the multiprobe FISH kit. Among theses, confirmatory FISH studies by using single locus-specific FISH probes were performed in 24 patients. One patient (a 10- yr-old girl) was confirmed to have rearrangement, deletion of the telomeric portion of the short arm of chromosome 4 (4p). Her clinical manifestation was compatible with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, which is known to be caused by 4p deletion. The frequency of subtelomeric rearrangements in this study was 1.1% (1/95), lower than those previously reported (0.5-16.3%). We suggest that subtelomeric FISH test is a useful screening tool for patients with idiopathic MR and/or dysmorphism regardless of its false positive value.