Disregulation of Autophagy in the Transgenerational Cc2d1a Mouse Model of Autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneously childhood neurodevelopmental disorder, believed to be under development of various genetic and environmental factors. Autophagy and related pathways have also been implicated in the etiology of ASD. We aimed to investigate autophagic markers by generating the transgenerational inheritance of ASD-like behaviors in the Cc2d1a animal model of ASD. Cc2d1a (+/-) mouse model of ASD was built in two different groups by following three generations. After behavior test, bilateral hippocampus was sliced. Western Blot assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) were used for measurement of LC3 and Beclin-1 as key regulators of autophagy. All of the animal and laboratory studies were conducted in the Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK). Significant LC3 and Beclin-1 mRNA expression levels were observed in mouse hippocampus between groups and generations. Western blot confirmed the changes of the proteins in the hippocampus. LC3 expressions were increased for females and decreased for males compared to the control group. Beclin-1 expression levels were found to be significantly decreased in males and females compared to controls. This study could help explain a new pathway of autophagy in ASD mouse models. Future animal studies need to investigate sex differences in mouse modeling autism-relevant genes like CC2D1A. We anticipate our results to be a starting point for more comprehensive autophagy studies in this mouse model of ASD.

A Novel SGCE Nonsense Variant Associated With Marked Intrafamilial Variability in a Turkish Family With Myoclonus-Dystonia.

BACKGROUND: Myoclonus-Dystonia syndrome (M-D) is an autosomal-dominant movement disorder related to SGCE gene pathogenic variants. Although there can be observed variability in clinical findings, here we describe intrafamilial variability in a Turkish family with a novel nonsense SGCE pathogenic variant. METHODS: A family with variable clinical symptoms resembling M-D were referred to our clinic. After preliminary diagnosis, patients were tested for mutations in the SGCE gene by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Novel pathogenic heterozygous nonsense mutation in exon 3, c.272T>G; p.Leu91* (NM_003919.2) were observed in affected family members. CONCLUSION: Intrafamilial clinical variability, despite the same pathogenic variant described in this work, suggests that there are regulatory factors, epigenetic or environmental modifiers, which are the subject of a matter for future studies.

Multiple urinary tract infections are associated with genotype and phenotype in adult polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are one of the important clinical presentations in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The association between UTI among genotypic and phonotypic properties of ADPKD patients is still obscure. Thus, we investigated the relationship between UTI and polycystin gene mutation with total kidney volume. METHODS: Forty patients with ADPKD patients with a history of more than two UTI and age-gender-matched 40 ADPKD patients without UTI history enrolled in the study. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed in all participants. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with a 1.5-T system, and total kidney volumes were calculated using mid-slice technique. To determine PKD1 and PKD2 genotype, we performed molecular and genetic tests involving the following steps: DNA isolation, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and data analysis. RESULTS: ADPKD patients with UTI had lower eGFR values than those without UTI [64.9 (32.2-100.8) vs 89.5 (59.0-110.0) (p = 0.041)]. In addition, patients with UTI had significantly increased height-adjusted total kidney volume than patients without UTI [950 (290-1350) vs 345 (243-780.0) (p = 0.005)]. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the PKD1-truncating mutation and hTKV independently predicted UTI. The sensitivity and specificity of hTKV were 65% and 77% (cutoff > 727 cm3) with an area of under the ROC curve of 0.70 (95% CI 0.56-0.85, p = 005). CONCLUSIONS: ADPKD patients with larger kidneys and PKD1 mutation are susceptible to increased risk of multiple UTI. Additionally, renal function decreased in ADPKD patients with multiple UTI history.

Dysmetabolic markers predict outcomes in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity were recently associated with a poor prognosis in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Whether the metabolic consequences of obesity as defined by the metabolic syndrome (MS) are also linked with disease progression remains untested. METHODS: Eligible ADPKD patients with different stages of CKD (n = 105) and 105 non-diabetic controls matched for CKD stage were enrolled in the study. Groups were evaluated at baseline for presence of MS, blood markers of metabolism, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score, and biochemical markers of inflammation (hs-CRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and PON-1). MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III). Patients were followed for 12 months and progression defined as a decrease in baseline eGFR > 10%. RESULTS: MS and hypertension were more prevalent amongst ADPKD patients than in the control group. Meanwhile, markers of inflammation such as hs-CRP (3.63 [3.45-5.17] vs. 4.2 [3.45-8.99] mg/dL; p = 0.014), IL-6 (21.65 [14.1-27.49] vs. 24.9 [16.23-39.4] pg/mL; p = 0.004) and IL-1ß (21.33 [15.8-26.4] vs. 26.78 [18.22-35] pg/mL; p < 0.001) levels were all more elevated in ADPKD patients than in non-diabetic CKD subjects. In multivariate analysis having a truncating PKD1 mutation predicted (OR 1.25 [1.09-1.43]; p = 0.002) fulfilling the MS criteria. Finally, ADPKD patients fulfilling MS criteria had a significantly more rapid progression during 12 months of follow-up than did those that did not (OR 3.28 [1.09-9.87]; p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Our data supports the notion that dysmetabolisms part of the ADPKD phenotype and associated with a poor outcome, especially in patients with a truncating PKD1 mutation.

The molecular basis and genotype-phenotype correlations of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in Anatolian population.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder due to presence of mutations in the genes involved in the metabolism of steroid hormones in adrenal gland. There are two main forms of CAH, classic form and non-classic form. While classic form stands for the severe form, the non-classic form stands for the moderate and more frequent form of CAH. The enzyme deficiencies such as 21-hydroxylase, 11-beta-hydroxylase, 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 17-alpha-hydroxylase deficiencies are associated with CAH. In this study, we aimed to investigate CYP21A2, CYP11B1, HSD3B2 genes which are associated with 21-hydroxylase, 11-beta-hydroxylase and 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme deficiencies, respectively, in 365 individuals by using Sanger sequencing method. We emphasized the classification of variants according their disease causing potential, and evaluated variants' frequencies including newly discovered novel variants. As a result, 32 variants of CYP21A2 including 10 novel variants, 9 variants of CYP11B1 including 3 novel variants and 6 variants of HSD3B2 including 4 novel variants were identified. The conclusions of our study showed that in Anatolia, discovery of novel variants is quite common on account of tremendous ratios of consanguineous marriages which increases the frequency of CAH. These results will contribute to the understanding of molecular pathology of the disease.

The association of endothelin-1 levels with renal survival in polycystic kidney disease patients.

BACKGROUND: The prominent features of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) are early development of hypertension, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular problems. Thus, we aimed to investigate the role of endothelin, a vascular biomarker, in the clinical course of ADPKD, including renal and cardiovascular survival. METHODS: In 138 patients with ADPKD and 28 healthy controls, we measured serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (flow-mediated dilatation, FMD) and endothelium-independent vasodilatation (nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation, NMD) of the brachial artery were assessed non-invasively with high-resolution ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with a 1.5-T system, and total kidney volumes were calculated using mid-slice technique. To determine PKD1 and PKD2 genotype, we performed molecular and genetic tests involving the following steps: DNA isolation, next-generation sequencing (NGS) and data analysis. RESULTS: Endothelin levels and height-adjusted total kidney volumes (hTKV) significantly increased while the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased across CKD stages 1-4. Hypertension was more frequent in ADPKD patients with high serum endothelin. At multivariate Cox analysis, endothelin level, PKD1 truncating mutation, hTKV, high-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) level and the presence of diabetes mellitus were associated with the risk of overall survival. Moreover, endothelin level, PKD1 truncating mutation, hTKV, age and presence of hypertension were associated with the risk of renal survival. Additionally, body mass index (BMI), FMD, PKD1 truncating mutation, endothelin and triglyceride levels were independently associated with hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum endothelin levels independently predict hypertension in ADPKD. Serum endothelin levels are also associated with both renal and overall survival in patients with ADPKD.

Effects of post-learning REM sleep deprivation on hippocampal plasticity-related genes and microRNA in mice.

Sleep is essential for memory consolidation that stabilizes a memory trace. Memory consolidation includes waves of new gene expression and protein synthesis. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of memory processes. Previous studies demonstrated that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation (REM SD) during specific time windows after training in the Morris water maze (MWM) task impairs memory consolidation. Here, we showed that the post-learning REM sleep, extending from 3 to 6 h after last training, is critical for spatial learning in the MWM task. Further, we found that the REM SD after training significantly changes the hippocampal expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA; however, it causes minimal difference in the hippocampal expressions of calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII) and cAMP response-element-binding (CREB). In addition, it considerably affected the hippocampal expressions of miR-132, miR-182, and miR-124. In conclusion, after the MWM task, the post-learning REM sleep during specific time windows can modulate spatial memory consolidation, and its deprivation can impact the hippocampal transcriptional processes including memory-related miRNAs and mRNAs.

Increased vitamin D receptor gene expression and rs11568820 and rs4516035 promoter polymorphisms in autistic disorder.

Although there are a large number of sequence variants of different genes and copy number variations at various loci identified in autistic disorder (AD) patients, the pathogenesis of AD has not been elucidated completely. Recently, in AD patients, a large number of expression array and transcriptome studies have shown an increase in the expression of genes especially related to innate immune response. Antimicrobial effects of vitamin D and VDR are exerted through Toll-Like-Receptors (TLR) which have an important role in the innate immune response, are expressed by antigen presenting cells and recognize foreign microorganisms. In this study, age and gender matched 30 patients diagnosed with AD and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Comparatively whole blood VDR gene expression and rs11568820 and rs4516035 SNP profile of the promoter region of the VDR gene were investigated by real time PCR. Whole blood VDR gene expression was significantly higher in the AD group compared to control subjects (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences among allele and genotype distribution of rs11568820 and rs4516035 polymorphisms between AD patients and controls. The increase of VDR gene expression in patients with AD may be in accordance with an increase in the innate immune response in patients with AD. Furthermore, this study will stimulate new studies in order to clarify the relationship among AD, vitamin D, VDR, and innate immunity.

Effect of the allopregnanolone and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosteron on spike-wave discharges in the EEG of absence epilepsy rat models.

Absence epilepsy is a generalized nonconvulsive type of epilepsy that is characterized by spike-wave discharges (SWD) with a frequency of 2.5-4 Hz in the EEG. The activation of the GABAergic system in central nervous system suppresses convulsive seizures but exacerbates absence seizures. Endogenous neuroactive steroids such as 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THPROG; allopregnanolone) and 3α,21-dihydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-THDOC, allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosteron) are GABA-A receptor-positive allosteric modulators. Finasteride which is a 5α-reductase inhibitor can selectively block the synthesis of endogenous steroids. In this study, we compared the effects of endogenous steroids (THPROG and THDOC) on SWD by using finasteride-treated Wistar Albino Glaxo from Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats as a model of absence epilepsy. Wistar (WIS-THPROG and WIS-THDOC) and WAG/Rij (WAG-THPROG and WAG-THDOC) rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 8). After stereotactic surgical procedures, all rats were prepared for direct cortical EEG measurement. Following finasteride administration to each group, THPROG was administered to WIS-THPROG and WAG-THPROG groups, and THDOC to WIS-THDOC and WAG-THDOC groups intraperitoneally. While there was no any SWD activity detected in WIS-THPROG and WIS-THDOC groups, a significant increase in SWD count in WAG-THPROG (p = 0.012) and in WAG-THDOC (p = 0.012), and in SWD total duration in WAG-THPROG (p = 0.012) and WAG-THDOC groups (p = 0.011) were observed after steroid injection. No difference between the efficacy of THPROG and THDOC on absence seizures in WAG/Rij rats was observed.

Sialidosis type I presenting with a novel mutation and advanced neuroimaging features.

Sialidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by neuraminidase gene (NEU1) mutation and a deficiency of the enzyme neuraminidase. The aim of this study was to examine the sialidosis type 1 brain using volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor imaging and functional MRI in comparison to 3 controls. The patients gene analysis identified compound heterozygous mutation in the NEU1 that is shown to be associated with the sialidosis type 1. In this very rarely seen case, we found volume changes in different brain structures. We found that subthalamic nucleus volumes were found to be smaller in the patient compared to the controls. Also, sialidosis type 1 had significantly smaller cerebellar volume compared with the control group. The case had higher mean diffusivity and lower fractional anisotropy values in the cerebellum and displayed abnormal functional connectivity.

A Rare Cause of Male Infertility: 45,X/46,XY Mosaicism.

OBJECTIVE: To present the clinical, chromosomal, and endocrinological features of 8 infertile male cases with the 45,X/46,XY karyotype who were admitted to our infertility clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of cases who were admitted to our infertility clinic between 1999 and 2015 were investigated. Eight cases with 45,X/46,XY were detected. The clinical, endocrinological, and chromosomal assessments were analyzed. Each patient's height, weight, body mass index, testicular volume, endocrine hormone levels, follow-up period semen analysis, testicular biopsy reports, and karyotype analysis were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Some cases had a short stature, but often their phenotypes were normal. Seven of the cases had normal testosterone levels and all cases, except one, had elevated gonadotropin levels. All cases were azoospermic and testicular biopsy showed Sertoli cell-only syndrome. Peripheral blood karyotype revealed 45,X/46,XY mosaicism in all cases. Metaphase counts and percentages were different. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism that have a normal male phenotype form make up a rare subgroup of the 45,X/46,XY karyotype. These individuals usually present with infertility and were diagnosed based on the results of the karyotype analysis during azoo or severe oligospermia evaluation.