Genotype-first in a cohort of 95 fetuses with multiple congenital abnormalities: when exome sequencing reveals unexpected fetal phenotype-genotype correlations.

PURPOSE: Molecular diagnosis based on singleton exome sequencing (sES) is particularly challenging in fetuses with multiple congenital abnormalities (MCA). Indeed, some studies reveal a diagnostic yield of about 20%, far lower than in live birth individuals showing developmental abnormalities (30%), suggesting that standard analyses, based on the correlation between clinical hallmarks described in postnatal syndromic presentations and genotype, may underestimate the impact of the genetic variants identified in fetal analyses. METHODS: We performed sES in 95 fetuses with MCA. Blind to phenotype, we applied a genotype-first approach consisting of combined analyses based on variants annotation and bioinformatics predictions followed by reverse phenotyping. Initially applied to OMIM-morbid genes, analyses were then extended to all genes. We complemented our approach by using reverse phenotyping, variant segregation analysis, bibliographic search and data sharing in order to establish the clinical significance of the prioritised variants. RESULTS: sES rapidly identified causal variant in 24/95 fetuses (25%), variants of unknown significance in OMIM genes in 8/95 fetuses (8%) and six novel candidate genes in 6/95 fetuses (6%). CONCLUSIONS: This method, based on a genotype-first approach followed by reverse phenotyping, shed light on unexpected fetal phenotype-genotype correlations, emphasising the relevance of prenatal studies to reveal extreme clinical presentations associated with well-known Mendelian disorders.

Impaired Presynaptic High-Affinity Choline Transporter Causes a Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome with Episodic Apnea.

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is one of the best-studied cholinergic synapses. Inherited defects of peripheral neurotransmission result in congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMSs), a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare diseases with fluctuating fatigable muscle weakness as the clinical hallmark. Whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing in six unrelated families identified compound heterozygous and homozygous mutations in SLC5A7 encoding the presynaptic sodium-dependent high-affinity choline transporter 1 (CHT), which is known to be mutated in one dominant form of distal motor neuronopathy (DHMN7A). We identified 11 recessive mutations in SLC5A7 that were associated with a spectrum of severe muscle weakness ranging from a lethal antenatal form of arthrogryposis and severe hypotonia to a neonatal form of CMS with episodic apnea and a favorable prognosis when well managed at the clinical level. As expected given the critical role of CHT for multisystemic cholinergic neurotransmission, autonomic dysfunctions were reported in the antenatal form and cognitive impairment was noticed in half of the persons with the neonatal form. The missense mutations induced a near complete loss of function of CHT activity in cell models. At the human NMJ, a delay in synaptic maturation and an altered maintenance were observed in the antenatal and neonatal forms, respectively. Increased synaptic expression of butyrylcholinesterase was also observed, exposing the dysfunction of cholinergic metabolism when CHT is deficient in vivo. This work broadens the clinical spectrum of human diseases resulting from reduced CHT activity and highlights the complexity of cholinergic metabolism at the synapse.

Impact of prenatal diagnosis on the outcome of patients with a transposition of great arteries: A 24-year population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Transposition of great arteries (TGA) defined as the combination of concordant atrioventricular and discordant ventriculo-arterial connections is one of the most common congenital heart defects. Prenatal diagnosis of TGA remains difficult. To determine the impact of antenatal diagnosis we evaluated the sensitivity of antenatal detection and the neonatal mortality of TGA considering two study periods and two major types of TGA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. Data were collected from a French population-based birth defect registry. From 1988 to 2012, 94 fetuses with TGA were registered. The study period was subdivided into the 1988 to 1999 period and the 2000 to 2012 period. Two types of TGA were considered: isolated TGA (n = 66) and associated TGA (n = 28). A stratified analysis was performed considering the study periods and the types of TGA. RESULTS: Considering the study periods, the sensitivity of prenatal detection of TGA increased significantly (9.8% vs. 51.5%, p = 0.0001). The same trend was found for associated TGA (4.8% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.002) and isolated TGA (21.1% vs. 100%, p < 0.001). A late diagnosis of TGA (7 days after birth) was observed in 13.2% of cases. Neonatal mortality decreased significantly over time for isolated TGA (25.0% vs. 0 p = 0.01). Prenatal diagnosis of both types of TGA did not improve survival. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that prenatal diagnosis and neonatal mortality of TGA varied greatly according to the malformation type and the study period. This could be explained by an improvement in terms of medical management.

Prenatal Screening of 21 Microdeletion/Microduplication Syndromes and Subtelomeric Imbalances by MLPA in Fetuses with Increased Nuchal Translucency and Normal Karyotype.

Fetuses with increased nuchal translucency thickness (NT) are at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities. In case of a normal karyotype, a minority of them may present with structural abnormalities or genetic syndromes, which may be related to submicroscopic chromosomal imbalances. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether MLPA screening of 21 syndromic and subtelomeric regions could improve the detection rate of small chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with increased NT and a normal karyotype. A total of 106 prenatal samples from fetuses with NT ≥ 99th centile and normal R- and G-banding were analyzed by MLPA for subtelomeric imbalances (SALSA P036 and P070) and 21 syndromic regions (SALSA P245). One sample showed a benign CNV (dup(8)pter, FBXO25 gene), and 1 patient was found to have a loss of 18 qter and a gain of 5 pter as a result of an unbalanced translocation. The incidence of cryptic pathogenic variants was <1% or 2.7% when only fetuses with other ultrasound abnormalities were taken into account. Submicroscopic imbalances in fetuses with increased NT may be individually rare, and genome-wide screening seems more likely to improve the diagnostic yield in these fetuses.

Mutations in CNTNAP1 and ADCY6 are responsible for severe arthrogryposis multiplex congenita with axoglial defects.

Non-syndromic arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is characterized by multiple congenital contractures resulting from reduced fetal mobility. Genetic mapping and whole exome sequencing (WES) were performed in 31 multiplex and/or consanguineous undiagnosed AMC families. Although this approach identified known AMC genes, we here report pathogenic mutations in two new genes. Homozygous frameshift mutations in CNTNAP1 were found in four unrelated families. Patients showed a marked reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity (<10 m/s) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of sciatic nerve in the index cases revealed severe abnormalities of both nodes of Ranvier width and myelinated axons. CNTNAP1 encodes CASPR, an essential component of node of Ranvier domains which underlies saltatory conduction of action potentials along the myelinated axons, an important process for neuronal function. A homozygous missense mutation in adenylate cyclase 6 gene (ADCY6) was found in another family characterized by a lack of myelin in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as determined by TEM. Morpholino knockdown of the zebrafish orthologs led to severe and specific defects in peripheral myelin in spite of the presence of Schwann cells. ADCY6 encodes a protein that belongs to the adenylate cyclase family responsible for the synthesis of cAMP. Elevation of cAMP can mimic axonal contact in vitro and upregulates myelinating signals. Our data indicate an essential and so far unknown role of ADCY6 in PNS myelination likely through the cAMP pathway. Mutations of genes encoding proteins of Ranvier domains or involved in myelination of Schwann cells are responsible for novel and severe human axoglial diseases.

Immune-mediated myopathy related to anti 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase antibodies as an emerging cause of necrotizing myopathy induced by statins.

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) associated with statin use and anti 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) antibody is a new and emerging entity that supports a link between statin use and IMNM and raises the questions of distinct clinical phenotypes and treatment strategy. We describe the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a patient and discuss the spectrum of IMNM and statin-induced myopathies. A 65-year-old man was suffering from proximal muscle weakness and elevated CK levels, following exposure to statin therapy. The symptoms worsened despite discontinuation of the drug. At that point, no myositis-specific or -associated antibodies were detected. Malignancy screening did not reveal abnormalities. Muscle biopsy demonstrated a predominantly necrotizing myopathy with minimal lymphocytic infiltrates, MHC class I expression in necrotic muscle fibers, and complement deposition on scattered non-necrotic muscle fibers. Muscle protein analysis by western blot was normal. The patient did not improve with steroid and methotrexate and required monthly intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. Muscle strength gradually improved, CK levels normalized and IVIG were stopped 1 year later. Screening for anti-HMGCR antibodies, not available at the time of presentation, was highly positive. Identification of anti-HMGCR antibodies in statin-exposed patients with myopathy appears to be helpful both for differential diagnosis and for treatment strategy. In patients who did not improve after discontinuation of the statin treatment, a muscle biopsy should be performed as well as screening for anti-HMGCR antibodies. Patients with this disorder require aggressive immunosuppressive treatment.

Prenatal ultrasound findings observed in the Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome: data from the registry of congenital malformations in Auvergne.

BACKGROUND: Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) is associated with facial dysmorphism including high forehead, high nasal bridge, hypertelorism and severe mental retardation. WHS results from a 4p16.3 deletion. Only a small number of reports have been made on the prenatal ultrasound findings observed in WHS. CASES: Here we report our experience on 10 cases of WHS ascertained prenatally between 1983 and 2009 through the CEMC-Auvergne registry of congenital malformations. CONCLUSION: The assumption that a "Greek warrior helmet" facies is pathognomonic of WHS could lead to misdiagnosis. Other clinical findings such as severe and early onset intrauterine growth retardation, facial dysmorphism (high forehead, high nasal bridge, low-set ears, micrognathia, hypertelorism), atrial or ventricular septal defect, and renal dysplasia should help obstetricians to suspect the diagnosis of WHS prenatally.

Neuropathological review of 138 cases genetically tested for X-linked hydrocephalus: evidence for closely related clinical entities of unknown molecular bases.

L1 syndrome results from mutations in the L1CAM gene located at Xq28. It encompasses a wide spectrum of diseases, X-linked hydrocephalus being the most severe phenotype detected in utero, and whose pathophysiology is incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to report detailed neuropathological data from patients with mutations, to delineate the neuropathological criteria required for L1CAM gene screening in foetuses by characterizing the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the cardinal signs, and to discuss the main differential diagnoses in non-mutated foetuses in order to delineate closely related conditions without L1CAM mutations. Neuropathological data from 138 cases referred to our genetic laboratory for screening of the L1CAM gene were retrospectively reviewed. Fifty-seven cases had deleterious L1CAM mutations. Of these, 100 % had hydrocephalus, 88 % adducted thumbs, 98 % pyramidal tract agenesis/hypoplasia, 90 % stenosis of the aqueduct of Sylvius and 68 % agenesis/hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. Two foetuses had L1CAM mutations of unknown significance. Seventy-nine cases had no L1CAM mutations; these were subdivided into four groups: (1) hydrocephalus sometimes associated with corpus callosum agenesis (44 %); (2) atresia/forking of the aqueduct of Sylvius/rhombencephalosynapsis spectrum (27 %); (3) syndromic hydrocephalus (9 %), and (4) phenocopies with no mutations in the L1CAM gene (20 %) and in whom family history strongly suggested an autosomal recessive mode of transmission. These data underline the existence of closely related clinical entities whose molecular bases are currently unknown. The identification of the causative genes would greatly improve our knowledge of the defective pathways involved in these cerebral malformations.

Glutamate and CO2 production from glutamine in incubated enterocytes of adult and very old rats.

Glutamine is the major fuel for enterocytes and promotes the growth of intestinal mucosa. Although oral glutamine exerts a positive effect on intestinal villus height in very old rats, how glutamine is used by enterocytes is unclear. Adult (8 months) and very old (27 months) female rats were exposed to intermittent glutamine supplementation for 50% of their age lifetime. Treated rats received glutamine added to their drinking water, and control rats received water alone. Jejunal epithelial cells (~300×10(6) cells) were incubated in oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 30 min containing [1-(13)C] glutamine (~17 M) for analysis of glutamine metabolites by (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C NMR). An aliquot fraction was incubated in the presence of [U-(14)C] glutamine to measure produced CO2. Glutamine pretreatment increased glutamate production and decreased CO2 production in very old rats. The ratio CO2/glutamate, which was very high in control very old rats, was similar at both ages after glutamine pretreatment, as if enterocytes from very old rats recovered the metabolic abilities of enterocytes from adult rats. Our results suggest that long-term treatment with glutamine started before advanced age (a) prevented the loss of rat body weight without limiting sarcopenia and (b) had a beneficial effect on enterocytes from very old rats probably by favoring the role of glutamate as a precursor for glutathione, arginine and proline biosynthesis, which was not detected in (13)C NMR spectra in our experimental conditions.

Time-course changes of muscle protein synthesis associated with obesity-induced lipotoxicity.

The object of the study was to investigate the sequential changes of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle during establishment of obesity, considering muscle typology. Adult Wistar rats were fed a standard diet for 16 weeks (C; n = 14), or a high-fat, high-sucrose diet for 16 (HF16; n = 14) or 24 weeks (HF24; n = 15). Body composition was measured using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. The fractional synthesis rates (FSRs) of muscle protein fractions were calculated in tibialis anterior (TA) and soleus muscles by incorporation of l-13C-valine in muscle protein. Muscle lipid and mitochondria contents were determined using histochemical analysis. Obesity occurred in an initial phase, from 1 to 16 weeks, with an increase in weight (P < 0.05), fat mass (P < 0.001), muscle mass (P < 0.001) and FSR in TA (actin: 5.3 ± 0.2 vs. 8.8 ± 0.5% day−1, C vs. HF16, P < 0.001) compared with standard diet. The second phase, from 16 to 24 weeks, was associated with a weight stabilization, a decrease in muscle mass (P < 0.05) and a decrease in FSR in TA (mitochondrial: 5.6 ± 0.2 vs. 4.2 ± 0.4% day−1, HF16 vs. HF24, P < 0.01) compared with HF16 group. Muscle lipid content was increased in TA in the second phase of obesity development (P < 0.001). Muscle mass, lipid infiltration and muscle protein synthesis were differently affected, depending on the stage of obesity development and muscle typology. Chronic lipid infiltration in glycolytic muscle is concomitant with a reduction of muscle protein synthesis, suggesting that muscle lipid infiltration in response to a high-fat diet is deleterious for the incorporation of amino acid in skeletal muscle proteins.

Does long-term intermittent treatment with glutamine improve the well-being of fed and fasted very old rats?

BACKGROUND: Glutamine is known to have a specific role in very old rats (>25 months of age). For this reason, we have orally supplemented female rats with glutamine (20% of diet protein) intermittently. The treatment started before animals became very old and lasted 5 months. Very old rats were studied in fed state or after 5-day fasting after the last glutamine cure. The aim of this study was to determine whether this in vivo pretreatment improves the well-being of very old rats (muscle sarcopenia decrease, gut integrity improvement, decrease of the known up-regulated glutamine synthetase observed regardless of nutrition state). METHODS: Protein turnover was measured in epitrochlearis muscle, whereas glutamine synthetase (GS) activities were assessed in tibialis anterior muscle from fed and 5-days-fasted female Wistar adult (6 months) and very old (27 months) rats, pretreated or not with glutamine. Furthermore, gut was dissected and weighed. RESULTS: Long-term treatment with glutamine had positive effects on very old rats: (1) it prevented the loss of body weight, but, (2) it did not prevent the inevitable sarcopenia regardless of nutrition state, and (3) it maintained the gut mass. Surprisingly, the muscle up-regulated GS activity observed in fed and fasted very old rats was only decreased in the fed state when rats were supplemented, without change in plasma and muscle glutamine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with glutamine started before advanced age had essentially a beneficial role on the gut. It may play a role in maintaining intestine integrity and intestinal immune function. Further investigations would be warranted to explore these mechanisms.

Pleiotropic effects of CEP290 (NPHP6) mutations extend to Meckel syndrome.

Meckel syndrome (MKS) is a rare autosomal recessive lethal condition characterized by central nervous system malformations, polydactyly, multicystic kidney dysplasia, and ductal changes of the liver. Three loci have been mapped (MKS1-MKS3), and two genes have been identified (MKS1/FLJ20345 and MKS3/TMEM67), whereas the gene at the MKS2 locus remains unknown. To identify new MKS loci, a genomewide linkage scan was performed using 10-cM-resolution microsatellite markers in eight families. The highest heterogeneity LOD score was obtained for chromosome 12, in an interval containing CEP290, a gene recently identified as causative of Joubert syndrome (JS) and isolated Leber congenital amaurosis. In view of our recent findings of allelism, at the MKS3 locus, between these two disorders, CEP290 was considered a candidate, and homozygous or compound heterozygous truncating mutations were identified in four families. Sequencing of additional cases identified CEP290 mutations in two fetuses with MKS and in four families presenting a cerebro-reno-digital syndrome, with a phenotype overlapping MKS and JS, further demonstrating that MKS and JS can be variable expressions of the same ciliopathy. These data identify a fourth locus for MKS (MKS4) and the CEP290 gene as responsible for MKS.