Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T variant in Indian children with craniosynostosis: Its role in the pathogenesis, risk of craniosynostosis.

BACKGROUND : 677C to T allele in the 5, 10‑methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been implicated in the etiology of various syndromes and nonsyndromic diseases but till date no direct studies have been reported with craniosynostosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to study the family‑based association of MTHFR polymorphism in different categories of craniosynostosis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross‑sectional study in which 30 patients classified as Apert syndrome, Pfeiffr syndrome and nonsyndromic craniosynostosis patients with their family were recruited. A sample of 3 ml intravenous blood was taken from patients and from their family members (father and mother) in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid‑anticoagulated vacutainer for the purpose of the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by phenol chloroform extraction method. Primers for MTHFR gene were designed. The polymerase chain reaction was carried out. After successful amplification, a small aliquot (5 µl) of the MTHFR reaction mixture was treated with 1 units of Hinf I restriction enzyme (NEB). Results were obtained and compiled. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients/participants with craniosynostosis of Indian descent and their parents formed the study group. The genotyping did not confirm an association between the MTHFR 677C to T polymorphism and between different categories of craniosynostosis. When comparing the offspring of mothers statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: C667T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is unlikely to play a role in the pathogenesis of craniosynostosis though maternal MTHFR C677T polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor.

Mutational identification of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 genes in craniosynostosis in Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: The Objective of this study was to identify the association of mutation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), FGFR2 genes with syndromic as well as non‑syndromic craniosynostosis in Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of our records from January 2008 to December 2012 was done. A total of 41 cases satisfying the inclusion criteria and 51 controls were taken for the study. A total volume of 3 ml blood from the patient as well as parents was taken. Deoxyribonucleic acid extracted using phenol chloroform extraction method followed by polymerase chain reaction‑restriction fragment length polymorphism method. RESULTS: There were 33 (80.4%) non‑syndromic cases of craniosynostosis while 8 (19.5%) were syndromic. Out of these 8 syndromic cases, 4 were Apert syndrome, 3 were Crouzon syndrome and 1 Pfeiffer syndrome. Phenotypically the most common non‑syndromic craniosynostosis was scaphocephaly (19, 57.7%) followed by plagiocephaly in (14, 42.3%). FGFR1 mutation (Pro252Arg) was seen in 1 (2.4%) case of non‑syndromic craniosynostosis while no association was noted either with FGFR1 or with FGFR2 mutation in syndromic cases. None of the control group showed any mutation. CONCLUSION: Our study proposed that FGFR1, FGFR2 mutation, which confers predisposition to craniosynostosis does not exist in Indian population when compared to the western world.