Genetic analysis of a gonadal-mosaicism BMD family with prenatal diagnosis and PGT-M / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective:To identify the pathogenic characteristics of a suspected gonadal mosaicism Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) family, and provide provide basis for pregnancy selection of similar families.Methods:A BMD family admitted to Hunan Jiahui Genetics Hospital from June 2012 to September 2019 was systematically reviewed. The medical history and family history of the proband were checked, and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was used to detect the deletion/duplication of 79 exons of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene in the proband, fetuses, and parents. Moreover, potential variants were verified by combining PCR amplification, short tandom repeat polymorphic linkage analysis, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. High-quality embryos are screened for transplantation after preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic (PGT-M). And amniotic fluid was collected in the second trimester for prenatal diagnostic verification.Results:According to the phenotype analysis of the proband, the initial clinical diagnosis was BMD, and the exon 45-50 deletion in DMD gene was detected. The mutation was not detected in the mother′s peripheral blood, but when she was pregnant again, the prenatal diagnosis showed that the fetus had the same deletion mutation as the proband. Neither of two vitro embryos tested by PGT-M has the deletion mutation, then single embryo transfer was performed nor was pregnancy successful. After confirmation of prenatal diagnosis during pregnancy, a normal baby girl was born by full-term cesarean section.Conclusions:This BMD family was a family with two consecutive BMD homodeletion mutations, and the mutation of the DMD gene was not detected in the peripheral blood of the proband′s mother and two embryonic cells, suggesting that the mother may be a gonad chimeric carrier of this deletion mutation. The combined application of prenatal diagnosis and PGT-M provides a reference approach to effectively avoid the birth of similar children.

Expert consensus on the detection of genome-wide copy number variations in abortive tissues and family reproductive consultation / 中华医学遗传学杂志

Chromosomal aberrations including numerical abnormalities and segment duplications/deletions, as genome-wide copy number variations (CNVs), are a leading cause for spontaneous abortion. Analysis of abortive tissues for such CNVs can detect potential genomic variations in the couple and provide guidance for the choice of appropriate method to avoid further miscarriage or birth of child with chromosomal disorders. With evidence-based clinical data, an expert group jointly formed by the Genetic Disease Prevention and Control Group, Committee for Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Chinese Association of Preventive Medicine; the Clinical Genetics Group, the Society of Medical Genetics, Chinese Medical Association; the Professional Committee for Prenatal Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases, the Society of Medical Geneticists, Chinese Medical Doctor Association has discussed and formulated this consensus, with an aim to provide guidance for the application of genomic CNVs detection for the abortive tissue and genetic counseling for family reproduction.

Detection of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Using a Duplexed Real-Time PCR Approach With Locked Nucleic Acid-Modified Primers

Background@#Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder mainly caused by homozygous deletions that include exon 7 of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A nearby paralog gene, SMN2, obstructs the specific detection of SMN1. We optimized a duplexed real-time PCR approach using locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified primers to specifically detect SMN1. @*Methods@#An LNA-modified primer pair with 3´ ends targeting SMN1 specific sites c.835-44g and c.840C was designed, and its specificity was examined by real-time PCR and Sanger Sequencing. A duplexed real-time PCR approach for amplifying SMN1 and control gene albumin (ALB) was developed. A randomized double-blind trial with 97 fresh peripheral blood samples and 25 dried blood spots (DBS) was conducted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the duplexed approach. This new approach was then used to screen 753 newborn DBS. @*Results@#The LNA-modified primers exhibited enhanced specificity and 6.8% increased efficiency for SMN1 amplification, compared with conventional primers. After stabilizing the SMN1 test by optimizing the duplexed real-time PCR approach, a clinical trial validated that the sensitivity and specificity of our new approach for detecting SMA patients and carriers was 100%. Using this new approach, 15 of the screened 753 newborns were identified as carriers via DBS, while the rest were identified as normal individuals. These data reveal a carrier rate of 1.99% in Hunan province, South Central China. @*Conclusions@#We have developed a novel, specific SMN1 detection approach utilizing real-time PCR with LNA-modified primers, which could be applied to both prenatal carrier and newborn screening.

Biochemical and genetic characteristics of 40 neonates with carnitine deficiency / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) is a rare fatty acid metabolism disorder that can cause neonatal death. This study aims to analyze carnitine levels and detect SLC22A5 gene in newborns with carnitine deficiency, to provide a basis for early diagnosis of PCD, and to explore the relationship between carnitine in blood and SLC22A5 genotype.@*METHODS@#A total of 40 neonates with low free carnitine (C0G (p.Y251C), c.495 C>A (p.R165E), and c.1298T>C (p.M433T). We found 14 PCD patients including 2 homozygous mutations and 12 heterozygous mutations, 14 with 1 mutation, and 12 with no mutation among 40 children. The C0 concentration of children with SLC22A5 gene homozygous or complex heterozygous mutations was (4.95±1.62) μmol/L in the initial screening, and (3.90±1.33) μmol/L in the second screening. The C0 concentration of children with no mutation was (7.04±2.05) μmol/L in the initial screening, and (8.02±2.87) μmol/L in the second screening. There were significant differences between children with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations and with no mutation in C0 concentration of the initial and the second screening (both @*CONCLUSIONS@#There are 5 new mutations which enriched the mutation spectrum of SLC22A5 gene. C0<5 μmol/L is highly correlated with SLC22A5 gene homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations. Children with truncated mutation may have lower C0 concentration than that with untruncated mutation in the initial screening.

Molecular diagnosis and functional study of a pedigree affected with Lubs X-linked mental retardation syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for a pedigree affected with X-linked mental retardation.@*METHODS@#The proband was subjected to chromosomal karyotyping, FMR1 mutation testing and copy number variation analysis with a single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP array). His family members were subjected to multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) assaying. Expression of genes within the repeated region were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The proband had a normal chromosomal karyotype and normal number of CGG repeats within the FMR1 gene. SNP array identified a 370 kb duplication in Xq28 (ChrX: 153 027 633-153 398 515), which encompassed 14 genes including MECP2. The patient was diagnosed as Lubs X-linked mental retardation syndrome (MRXSL). MLPA confirmed the presence of copy number variation, its co-segregation with the disease, in addition with the carrier status of females. Genes from the duplicated region showed higher levels of expression (1.79 to 5.38 folds) within peripheral blood nucleated cells of the proband.@*CONCLUSION@#The patients were diagnosed with MRXSL. The expression of affected genes was up-regulated due to the duplication. Genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis may be provided based on the results.

Establishment of hemophilia A patient-specific inducible pluripotent stem cells with urine cells / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE To generate hemophilia A (HA) patient-specific inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and induce endothelial differentiation. METHODS Tubular epithelial cells were isolated and cultured from the urine of HA patients. The iPSCs were generated by forced expression of Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, c-Myc and Klf4) using retroviruses and characterized by cell morphology, pluripotent marker staining and in vivo differentiation through teratoma formation. Induced endothelial differentiation of the iPSCs was achieved with the OP9 cell co-culture method. RESULTS Patient-specific iPSCs were generated from urine cells of the HA patients, which could be identified by cell morphology, pluripotent stem cell surface marker staining and in vivo differentiation of three germ layers. The teratoma experiment has confirmed that such cells could differentiate into endothelial cells expressing the endothelial-specific markers CD144, CD31 and vWF. CONCLUSION HA patient-specific iPSCs could be generated from urine cells and can differentiate into endothelial cells. This has provided a new HA disease modeling approach and may serve as an applicable autologous cell source for gene correction and cell therapy studies for HA.

Analysis of FGFR2 gene mutations in two Chinese families with Crouzon syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect potential mutations of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (FGFR2) in two Chinese families with Crouzon syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of 20 members from two affected families. All of the 18 exons of the FGFR2 gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and sequenced after purification.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A missense mutation c.868T>C (p.W290R) in exon 8 of the FGFR2 gene was found solely in 2 affected members from family 1. Another missense mutation c.833G>T (p.C278F) in exon 8 was found solely in 5 affected members of family 2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The missense mutations of the FGFR2 gene are responsible for the Crouzon syndrome in the two families. The c.868T>C missense mutation is reported for the first time in Chinese population.</p>

A novel mutation of c.2472+1G＞A in kit gene causes piebaldism in a Chinese family / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To make a molecular genetic analysis in a Chinese family with piebaldism,in order to find the causative mutation of this disease.Methods DNA and RNA were extracted from blood samples of the proband and other 13 members in this family.Ploymerase chain reaction (PCR),reverse transcription PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to detect the mutation of kit gene.Results A novel heterozygous mutation c.2472+1G>A in kit gene.which leads to the loss of 3' splicing site in exon 17 followed by the absence of exon 17,was found in all affected members,but not in an unaffected member in the family.Conclusion The novel mutation c.2472+1G>A may be associated with piebaldism initiation in this family.

Identification of the small supernumerary marker chromosomes in two patients with Turner syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) and guide the genetic counseling and medical treatment in two patients with Turner syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>High resolution GTG and C banding, SRY amplification by PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on metaphase chromosomes were performed to the two patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The karyotypes of the two patients were 45, X [29]/46,X, +mar[31] and 45,X[71]/46,X, +mar[29] respectively. SRY test indicated SRY-positive for patient 1, whose sSMC was originated from chromosome Y. The karyotype was confirmed as 45,X[29]/46,X,idic(Y)(q10)[31]. ish idic(Y)(q10)(RP11-115H13x2) (SRY+) by FISH. While in patient 2, the sSMC was originated from chromosome X, whose karyotype was determined as 45, X[71]/46,X, r(X)(p11.23q21)[29]. ish r(X) (p11.23q21)(AL591394.11xAC092268.3).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic analyses, we have identified the sSMCs in two patients with Turner syndrome, which was helpful to the clinical diagnosis and treatment.</p>

In vitro Efficacy of mda-7 Gene for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Gene Therapy Mediated by Human Ribosomal DNA Targeting Vector / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Human ribosomal DNA (hrDNA) targeting vector pHr is a homologous recombinant plasmid for human genome which developed in the State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics. pHr was used to construct a recombinant plasmid pHr-CMG expressing mda-7/GFP fusion gene and its efficacy in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7402 was investigated. The expression of mda-7/GFP fusion gene was detected by fluorescent microscope, RT-PCR and Western blotting, and its function was detected by cell-cycle analyses, MTT assay and Hoechst33258 staining. The results demonstrated that pHr-CMG vector could express MDA-7/GFP fusion protein effectually and the mda-7 gene could induce cell apoptosis and proliferation suppression in Bel-7402 cell line, which might be caused by the G2/M cell cycle arrest. These results also suggested that human ribosomal DNA targeting vector system and the pHr-CMG vector may be applied in further gene therapy researches for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Rapid prenatal diagnosis of chromosome aneuploidies in 60 uncultured amniotic fluid samples by fluorescence in situ hybridization / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility of rapid prenatal diagnosis of chromosome aneuploidies by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using uncultured amniotic fluid.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) DNA probes were prepared and validated by using cultured peripheral blood. Interphase FISH for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y was performed in 60 amniotic fluid samples for the rapid prenatal diagnosis of chromosome aneuploidies, and the results were compared with the karyotypes from conventional cytogenetic analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of all 60 cases, 58 were concordant with their karyotypes, and 1 case of inv(9) and another case of t(2,12) were identified by karyotyping. Two cases of trisomy 21 and 1 case of trisomy 18 were detected by FISH and confirmed with conventional cytogenetics (sensitivity=100%). There were no false-positive or false-negative results.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This evaluation demonstrated that FISH employing BAC DNA probes could accurately and rapidly detect aneuploidies involving the above 5 chromosomes. However, as it does not identify structural chromosome aberrations and aneuploidies involving other chromosomes, it is not a substitute for conventional chromosome analysis, and the negative FISH result should be carefully interpreted.</p>

Mutation screening of the dystrophin gene in 14 Chinese Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy patients without gross deletions / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for the dystrophin gene mutations of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients without gross deletions, in order to offer accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for those families.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All 79 exons of the dystrophin gene as well as its 5'-UTR and 3'-UTR of 14 Chinese DMD/Becker muscular dystrphy (BMD) patients without detectable gross deletions were screened by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and heteroduplex fragments were identified by subsequent sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Seven causative point mutations, including two novel ones, were detected in 7 patients. Fourteen known polymorphisms and 7 unknown intronic variations were also detected. Five mothers of the patients were obligate carriers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DHPLC is an efficient way of identifying point mutations and the female carriers in DMD families.</p>

p53 Anti-tumor Research in Bel-7402 by Using Human-derived Vector / 生物化学与生物物理进展

In order to study the tumor suppression effect of p53 with CMV enhancer and hTERT promoter mediated by human-derived vector pHrn in liver cancer cell Bel-7402, report plasmid pchEGFP, tumor suppressor plasmids pchp53Arg and pchp53Pro were constructed by inserting expression cassette CMVe+hTERTp+EGFP, CMVe+hTERTp+p53Arg and CMVe+hTERTp+p53Pro into pHrn respectively. 24 h after cell transfection by lipofectamine 2000, GFP expression pattern was analyzed through fluorescence microscope and flow cytometry; RT-PCR and Western blot were taken to study the p53 expression pattern. The cell apoptosis by Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was also studied. Results show that the expression of GFP and p53 protein in Bel-7402were detected, but apparent cell apoptosis could not be found. The recombinant p53 mediated by human-derived vector could express in Bel-7402, but no significant tumor suppression effect was detected, which might result from the down regulation effect of the wild type p53 on hTERT promoter.

Role of PITX2 R62H Mutation in Ring Dermoid of Cornea / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Ring dermoid of cornea (RDC) is an autosomal dominant disorder of cornea. The previous study identified a G185A mutation of PITX2 gene in a Chinese family with RDC. To investigate the pathological mechanism of PITX2 R62H mutation, a PITX2 prokaryotic expression plasmid were constructed and GST-PITX2 fusion protein were purified. EMSA was further conducted. The DNA-banding ability of PITX2 R62H was similar to that of the wild type PITX2 were found. The cell lines stably expressed PITX2 was also generated, and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the expression of ?-catenin and Cyclin D1 were detected by quantitative Real-time PCR. The results showed that proliferating ability of cells expressing PITX2 R62H was lower than that of cells expressing PITX2 WT, as well as ?-catenin and Cyclin D1 mRNA level. These findings revealed that PITX2 R62H mutation affected the Wnt/?-catenin→PITX2 pathway, promoted the genes expressing abnormally, and led to abnormal cell proliferation and the formation of RDC, which may play an important role in pathogenesis of RDC.

Effect of Paxil and berhomine on poststroke anxiety-depression and neurological recovery / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: In addition to physical disability, stroke may also result in psychological impairments usually manifested by depression and anxiety.Regardless of the primary or secondary onset of anxiety, anti-depressants should be given for treatment of the anxiety and depression besides routine treatment of the primary condition underlying the symptoms.OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of different treatment protocols with or without anti-depressants and different anti-depressants on poststroke anxiety and depression as well as the neurological functions.DESIGN: Randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial.SETTING: Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology of the Second Hospital Affiliated to Lanzhou University.PARTICIPANTS: Ninety patients aged 41-72 years with post-stroke anxiety and depression, who were admitted in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology of the Second Hospital Affiliated to Lanzhou University between July 1999 and December 2002, were enrolled in this study and randomized equally into Paxil group, imipramine group and control group.METHODS: After emergency management for 1-2 weeks in the acute stage, the stroke patients showed clear consciousness and stable life signs without any understanding problems. Patients in the control group received conventional treatment combined with rehabilitative training, while patients in the other two groups were given additional Paxil (20 mg/day) or imipramine (50-150 mg/day) for totally 12 weeks. The neurological deficits and capacity for independent living of the patients were assessed with Hamilton Depression Scale (24 items) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (14items) at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks during the treatment. A reduction of the score for Hamilton anxiety and depression scale by over 75% suggested a cure of depression and anxiety, 50% but ＜ 75% obvious improvement,25% but ＜ 50% improvement, and ＜ 25% non-response. Basically recovered neurological function was indicated by a reduction of neurological deficit score by 90%-100%, remarkable improvement by 46%-89%, improvement by 18%-45%, and non-response or exacerbation by a reduction less than 17%.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURS: ① Neurological function recovery of recovery of the patients after treatment; ② Poststroke anxiety and depression status before and after treatment; ③ Therapeutic effects on depression,neurological functions, severity of neurological deficit, and capacity of independent living. ④ Adverse events and side effects.RESULTS: One patient in Paxil group and 3 in the control group failed to be available for follow-up study, and 3 patients in imipramine group withdrew from the study due to adverse events, so that 83 cases were analyzed.At 2 and 4 weeks in the treatment, the scores for neurological deficits and capacity for independent living exhibited obvious changes (P ＜ 0.01),which gradually stabilized at 8 and 12 weeks (P ＜ 0.05), and significantly greater improvement in the neurological function and capacity for independent living was observed in Paxil group than in the control group (P＜ 0.01), but the differences between imipramine group and the control group and between Paxil group and imipramine group were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05). The scores for Hamilton Depression Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale were obviously lower in Paxil group and imipramine group at 2, 4, 8 and 12 week than those in the control group (P＜ 0.01-0.001), but similar between the former two groups at 12 weeks (P＞ 0.05). Paxil and imipramine on resulted in curative rates of anxiety and depression of 86.6% and 85.1%, respectively, which were obviously higher than that of the control group (46.6%); the improvement rate ofneurological function in Paxil group, imipramine group and control groupwas 89.6%, 70.3% and 56.6%, respectively, with that of Paxil groupsignificantly higher than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.01), but the difference between imipramine group and control group was not signifi cant (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Patients with poststroke anxiety and depression shouldreceive appropriate interventions with anti-depressants in addition to treat ment of neural function impairment. Paxil and imipramine haye similar effect in treating anxiety and depression, but the former can be for its less side effects, better compliance on the part of patients and good effect inpromoting neurological function recovery.

Association of serum protein S100b in intracerebral hemorrhage patients with nerve function lesion / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum protein S100b in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients and brain damage. Methods A total of 37 hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage patients, 24 male and 13 female, were enrolled as intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) group, aged from 45 to 85 years with an average of (69.2?8.9) years. The control group were matched with ICH group, including 30 healthy subjects, 19 male and 11 female, aged 52 to 70 (61.2?5.0) years. The concentration of serum protein S100 was detected using double antibody sandwich ELISA. Evaluation of blood volume was calculated with the fomula based on cranial CT data: V=S?L?Slice??/6. The nerve function of the patients was evaluated by the CSS during acute phase and Barthel index score at 3 month after stroke. Results Serum protein S100 concentration was significantly elevated in patients with ICH (0.54?0.41 ?g/L), as compared to controls (0.17?0.04 ?g/L)(P

Prenatal diagnosis of prelingual deafness by determination of SLC26A4 gene mutation / 中华妇产科杂志

G mutation of SLC26A4, the parents and the second child were carriers of the same mutation, while the fetus had a wild-type form. Conclusion It is feasible to identify deafness related genes by screening for GJB2 and SLC26A4 mutation, thus providing correct prenatal diagnosis and avoiding deaf delivery of baby.