Temple syndrome resulting from uniparental disomy is undiagnosed by a methylation assay due to low-level mosaicism for trisomy 14.

We describe a patient with Temple syndrome resulting from maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 14 who also has low-level mosaicism for trisomy 14. UPD was initially suspected when SNP microarray analysis detected a large region of homozygosity on chromosome 14 and the patient's clinical features were consistent with the phenotype of upd(14)mat. However, SNP arrays cannot prove UPD, as homozygosity may also result from identity by descent. Methylation assays diagnose imprinting disorders such as Prader-Willi, Angelman and Temple syndromes; they detect methylation defects that occur in imprinted loci, which have parent-of-origin-specific expression and have the advantage of making a diagnosis without parental samples. However, in this patient methylation analysis using endpoint PCR detected biparental inheritance. Therefore, sequencing analysis was performed and diagnosed upd(14)mat. Re-examination of the microarray suggested that the explanation for the discrepancy between the array and methylation testing was low-level mosaicism for trisomy 14 and fluorescence in situ hybridization testing detected a trisomic cell line. Thus, this patient's Temple syndrome is a result of a maternal M1 error, which gave a trisomic zygote, followed by loss of the paternal chromosome 14 in an early mitotic division to give maternal UPD with low-level mosaicism for trisomy 14. The methylation assay detected the paternal allele in the trisomic line. The diagnostic failure of the methylation assay in this patient highlights a significant shortcoming of methylation endpoint analysis, especially for Temple syndrome, and underscores the need to use other methods in cases with mosaicism.

A Case of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type II With Additional Balanced Translocation t(1;20)(p13;p11.2).

BACKGROUND: Osteogenesis imperfect (OI) type II is a genetic disorder of bone characterized by bone fragility, multiple fractures, severe bowing and shortening of long bones, and perinatal death due to respiratory insufficiency. It is mainly caused by mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 genes, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. CASE REPORT: A fetal form of this disorder that included brachydactyly, macrocephaly, frontal bossing, soft calvarium, saddle nose, micrognathia, low set ears, and narrow thoracic cavity is described. A postmortem skeletal survey revealed multiple fractures, unossified skull, and long crumpled bones. The fetal karyotype revealed a balanced translocation t(1;20)(p13;p11.2). DNA sequencing detected a c.3065G > T transversion in exon 42 of the COL1A1 gene, a mutation associated with OI type II. CONCLUSION: Although the balanced translocation t(1:20)(p13;p11.2) appears to be incidental in our case, identification of the specific mutation and translocation is important for estimation of genetic risk for another afflicted child.

Thrombocytopenia and Predisposition to Acute Myeloid Leukemia due to Mosaic Ring 21 with Loss of RUNX1: Cytogenetic and Molecular Characterization.

Familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML) has been well documented in the literature and is a new entity within the latest revised edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (OMIM). The disorder arises due to mutations within the RUNX1 gene in chromosome 21; mutations within the Runt-binding domain are the most commonly encountered anomalies that cause decreased platelet count and function. Rare cases of haploinsufficiency have also been shown to cause this disorder. Here, we describe a 12-year-old female with mosaicism for a ring chromosome 21 and monosomy 21 who was born with thrombocytopenia which is now explained by loss of the RUNX1 gene resulting in FPD/AML. We also comment on the structure of the ring and the mechanism of its formation.

Anterior Pituitary Aplasia in an Infant with Ring Chromosome 18p Deletion.

We present the first reported case of an infant with 18p deletion syndrome with anterior pituitary aplasia secondary to a ring chromosome. Endocrine workup soon after birth was reassuring; however, repeat testing months later confirmed central hypopituitarism. While MRI reading initially indicated no midline defects, subsequent review of the images confirmed anterior pituitary aplasia with ectopic posterior pituitary. This case demonstrates how deletion of genetic material, even if resulting in a chromosomal ring, still results in a severe syndromic phenotype. Furthermore, it demonstrates the necessity of close follow-up in the first year of life for children with 18p deletion syndrome and emphasizes the need to verify radiology impressions if there is any doubt as to the radiologic findings.

Behavioral abnormalities are common and severe in patients with distal 22q11.2 microdeletions and microduplications.

We describe six individuals with microdeletions and microduplications in the distal 22q11.2 region detected by microarray. Five of the abnormalities have breakpoints in the low-copy repeats (LCR) in this region and one patient has an atypical rearrangement. Two of the six patients with abnormalities in the region between LCR22 D-E have hearing loss, which has previously been reported only once in association with these abnormalities. We especially note the behavioral/neuropsychiatric problems, including the severity and early onset, in patients with distal 22q11.2 rearrangements. Our patients add to the genotype-phenotype correlations which are still being generated for these chromosomal anomalies.

Unique immunologic patterns in fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a clinical syndrome characterized by chronic pain and allodynia. The diagnosis of FM has been one of exclusion as a test to confirm the diagnosis is lacking. Recent data highlight the role of the immune system in FM. Aberrant expressions of immune mediators, such as cytokines, have been linked to the pathogenesis and traits of FM. We therefore determined whether cytokine production by immune cells is altered in FM patients by comparing the cellular responses to mitogenic activators of stimulated blood mononuclear cells of a large number of patients with FM to those of healthy matched individuals. METHODS: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected from 110 patients with the clinical diagnosis of FM and 91 healthy donors. Parallel samples of PBMC were cultured overnight in medium alone or in the presence of mitogenic activators; PHA or PMA in combination with ionomycin. The cytokine concentrations of IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MIP-1ß , MCP-1, and MIP1-α in plasma as well as in cultured supernatants were determined using a multiplex immunoassay using bead array technology. RESULTS: Cytokine levels of stimulated PBMC cultures of healthy control subjects were significantly increased as compared to matched non-stimulated PBMC cultures. In contrast, the concentrations of most cytokines were lower in stimulated samples from patients with FM compared to controls. The decreases of cytokine concentrations in patients samples ranged from 1.5-fold for MIP-1ß to 10.2-fold for IL-6 in PHA challenges. In PMA challenges, we observed 1.8 to 4-fold decreases in the concentrations of cytokines in patient samples. CONCLUSION: The cytokine responses to mitogenic activators of PBMC isolated from patients with FM were significantly lower than those of healthy individuals, implying that cell-mediated immunity is impaired in FM patients. This novel cytokine assay reveals unique and valuable immunologic traits, which, when combined with clinical patterns, can offer a diagnostic methodology in FM.

Acute myelogenous leukemia with t(6;9)(p23;q34) and marrow basophilia: an overview.

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with chromosomal translocation (6;9)(p23;q34) is a rare disease with poor prognosis and distinct clinical and morphologic features. t(6;9) results in a chimeric fusion gene between DEK (6p23) and CAN/NUP214 (9q34). FLT3-ITD mutation is one of the most frequent mutations in AML and correlates with poor clinical outcome. Prevalence of FLT3-ITD is as high as 70% among patients with t(6;9) AML, and patients with t(6;9) AML and FLT3-ITD mutations usually have higher white blood cell counts, higher bone marrow blasts, and significantly lower rates of complete remission. t(6;9) is most commonly associated with AML-FAB-M2 and is considered by some researchers to be a separate disease entity because of its distinct clinical and morphologic features and poor prognostic implication. Distinct morphologic features of this entity include marrow basophilia and myelodysplasia, and immunophenotypically, the blast cells are positive for CD9, CD13, CD33, and HLA-DR; are usually positive for CD45 and CD38; and may be positive for CD15, CD34, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase.

Effects of chromatin-modifying agents on CD34+ cells from patients with idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM) is likely the consequence of both the acquisition of genetic mutations and epigenetic changes that silence critical genes that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. We have explored the effects of the sequential treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, decitabine [5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5azaD)], followed by the histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA), on the behavior of IM CD34(+) cells. Unlike normal CD34(+) cells where 5azaD/TSA treatment leads to the expansion of CD34(+) cells and marrow-repopulating cells, treatment of IM CD34(+) cells results in a reduction of the number of total cells, CD34(+) cells, and assayable hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC). In IM, HPCs are either heterozygous or homozygous for the JAK2V617F mutation or possess wild-type JAK2 in varying proportions. Exposure of IM CD34(+) cells to 5azaD/TSA resulted in a reduction of the proportion of JAK2V617F-positive HPCs in 83% of the patients studied and the reduction in the proportion of homozygous HPCs in 50% of the patients. 5azaD/TSA treatment led to a dramatic reduction in the number of HPCs that contained chromosomal abnormalities in two JAK2V617F-negative IM patients. IM is characterized by constitutive mobilization of HPCs, which has been partly attributed to decreased expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Treatment of IM CD34(+) cells with 5azaD/TSA resulted in the up-regulation of CXCR4 expression by CD34(+) cells and restoration of their migration in response to SDF-1. These data provide a rationale for sequential therapy with chromatin-modifying agents for patients with IM.

Extranodal natural killer/t-cell lymphoma, nasal type, in a patient with a constitutional 11q terminal deletion disorder.

BACKGROUND: Most cases of constitutional 11q terminal deletion disorder are children. Malignancy is a potential concern, as these children reach adulthood. However, since the majority of patients are young, their risk of developing malignancy in adulthood is essentially unknown. AIM: To report the first hematologic malignancy [extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type] arising in the trachea of a patient with constitutional 11q terminal deletion disorder. Our patient is the oldest patient reported in the literature. It is of note that this cytogenetic abnormality has not been described as a recurring abnormality in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old male with congenital psychomotor retardation was transferred to our hospital. Pathologic evaluation was diagnostic of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Staging marrow was negative for lymphoma, but cytogenetic analysis revealed a constitutional deletion of chromosome 11 at band q23 [46,XY,del(11)(q23)(c)]. This abnormality was present in a subsequent bone marrow specimen, along with an acquired abnormality, namely an extra copy of part of the long arm of chromosome 1 translocated to the short arm of chromosome 14. CONCLUSION: Patients with 11q terminal deletion disorder who reach adulthood may be predisposed to develop neoplasias by virtue of the constitutional deletion.

High incidence of chromosome 1 abnormalities in a series of 27 renal oncocytomas: cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization studies.

CONTEXT: It has recently been shown by cytogenetics that there is a high incidence of chromosome 1 abnormalities in renal oncocytomas. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the cytogenetic results by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. DESIGN: Nine additional cytogenetic analyses were added to those reported in our recent study, with a total of 27 tumors studied, which makes it the largest series of renal oncocytomas studied to date by cytogenetics and/or FISH. We used the LSI 1p36/LSI 1q25 Dual Color Probe Set to make the analyses. RESULTS: In this study, combined cytogenetics and FISH showed loss of chromosome arm 1p1 in 48% of renal oncocytomas. By FISH, deletion of 1p36.3 was observed in 59% of renal oncocytomas, whereas by cytogenetics, abnormality in chromosome 1 was seen in 32% of tumors. However, the incidence of chromosome 1 abnormalities among 9 bilateral tumors was much higher than in single tumors (88% vs 28%, respectively). Loss of only the 1p36.3 site occurred in 2 renal oncocytomas with translocation of chromosome 1, as shown by cytogenetics. Concordance between the 2 techniques, when they were used simultaneously to detect chromosome 1p1 abnormality, was 82%. CONCLUSIONS: This study further confirmed our prior results demonstrating the widespread occurrence of chromosome 1 abnormalities in renal oncocytomas. Although no abnormalities in chromosome 1 in tumors with normal karyotypes were detected by FISH using the current set of probes, a much higher incidence of such abnormalities was found in bilateral tumors, suggesting that genetic alterations related to the development of renal oncocytoma reside in this region.

MLL-SEPT6 fusion transcript with a novel sequence in an infant with acute myeloid leukemia.

The MLL gene at 11q23 is a site of frequent rearrangement in acute leukemia with multiple fusion partners. A relatively uncommon rearrangement, associated with infant AML-M4, fuses the MLL and SEPT6 genes. SEPT6, located at Xq24, is a member of a family of mammalian septins involved in diverse functions such as cytokinesis, cell polarity, and oncogenesis. We describe the case of an infant with acute myelogenous leukemia who showed cytogenetic evidence of rearrangement between 11q23 and Xq24 regions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis suggested a possible break in the MLL gene, and molecular analysis using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing confirmed the expression of an MLL-SEPT6 fusion transcript with a novel sequence. The findings emphasize the importance of combined cytogenetic and molecular analyses in the workup of acute leukemia, especially in those leukemias that occur infrequently.

Passive seeding in metanephric adenoma: a review of pseudometastatic lesions in perinephric lymph nodes.

Lymph node involvement derived from a discrete neoplastic process fundamentally implies tumor malignancy. However, rarely, inconsequential passive transport of benign neoplastic cells to the lymph node can occur and may cause confusion as to the nature of the neoplasm (ie, malignant vs benign). We describe a 10-cm right renal metanephric adenoma incidentally discovered in a 30-year-old woman during cesarean section for a triplet pregnancy. Subsequent nephrectomy following an equivocal needle biopsy diagnosis showed histologic features classic for metanephric adenoma, including the lack of cytologic atypia and mitoses. Necrosis present in this lesion appeared to be secondary to tumor physical disruption. The tumor cells were positive for Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) antigen, pankeratin, and CD57, focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen, and negative for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 34betaE12, and CD56. Electron microscopy confirmed the tumor's epithelial nature, and cytogenetics revealed a diploid 46XX karyotype. The tumor proliferation index with Ki-67 was only 3% to 5% and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen index was 0%. A single, concurrently resected hilar lymph node contained scattered subcapsular, sinusoidal, and focally intralymphovascular psammoma bodies along with occasional adherent epithelial cells. These cells were highlighted by pankeratin but were nonreactive to WT1 antigen, similar to the nonviable cells in the primary tumor. Clinical surveillance and follow-up showed no disease recurrence 4 years after nephrectomy. We postulate that the lymph node inclusions found in this case represent passive transport of neoplastic cells to the lymph node following manipulation of the renal mass. We conclude that this phenomenon is understudied and underrecognized and can easily be mistaken for metastasis.

The constitutive mobilization of bone marrow-repopulating cells into the peripheral blood in idiopathic myelofibrosis.

Idiopathic myelofibrosis (IM) is characterized by the constitutive mobilization of CD34(+) cells. IM peripheral blood (PB) CD34(+) cells had a reduced cloning efficiency and a lower frequency of cobblestone areas compared with normal granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized PB CD34(+) cells. IM CD34(+) cells engrafted nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice, demonstrating that they contain bone marrow (BM)-repopulating cells. G-CSF-mobilized CD34(+) cells produced multiple hematopoietic lineages within the NOD/SCID mice with a predominance of CD19(+) cells. By contrast, IM CD34(+) cells produced predominantly CD33(+) cells, increased numbers of CD41(+) cells, but fewer CD19(+) cells. Transcriptional clonality assays of the engrafted human IM cells demonstrated their clonal origin. CD34(+) cells from one patient isolated prior to leukemic transformation were capable of generating acute leukemia in NOD/SCID mice. The engrafted human cells exhibited the same abnormal karyotype as primary cells in a portion of the population. These findings demonstrate that BM-repopulating cells and more differentiated progenitor cells are constitutively mobilized into the PB in IM, and that their differentiation program is abnormal. In addition, the NOD/SCID model may be useful in gaining an understanding of the events occurring during the transition of IM to acute leukemia.

Renal tumor with overlapping distal nephron morphology and karyotype.

Although most renal epithelial tumors are derived from the proximal nephron, approximately 10% are believed to originate in the distal nephron. This latter group encompasses oncocytoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, and several rare types, including collecting duct carcinoma and renal medullary carcinoma. Despite progress in the classification of renal tumors, a small subset of renal carcinomas remains unclassified (ie, renal cell carcinoma, not otherwise specified). We describe a metastatic tumor consisting of cells with overlapping distal nephron morphologies, including foci of oncocytoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, and collecting duct carcinoma, as well as sarcomatoid dedifferentiation. Special stains were inconclusive, and ultrastructural study demonstrated abundant mitochondria and no microvesicles. The karyotype was hypodiploid with 41 chromosomes and abnormalities reported in all 3 phenotypes present. Rearrangements of 1p and of 11q13 previously seen in divergent subsets of oncocytomas were concomitantly present in the current tumor. Thus, this malignancy has features consistent with distal nephron derivation and demonstrates the convergence of the varied tumor morphologies arising within this site. Furthermore, this case exemplifies the value of cytogenetic analysis in the characterization of renal cell carcinoma, not otherwise specified. In view of recent advances in treatment approach, especially for collecting duct carcinoma, further categorization of this nondescript and heterogeneous group of renal cell carcinomas, not otherwise specified, at least by its derivation in relationship to the renal nephron (distal vs proximal), may be of value in the choice of treatment modality.

Cytogenetic analysis of a series of 13 renal oncocytomas.

PURPOSE: Only about 50 renal oncocytomas have been studied cytogenetically. They fall into 3 categories, namely 1-normal karyotype, 2-monosomy 1, often with Y chromosome loss, and 3-structural abnormalities of 11q13. Additional abnormalities may occur with transformation to chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, although exactly which one is unclear. We expanded the oncocytoma data base to shed light on changes that characterize transformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 oncocytomas from 12 patients were collected in 2(1/2) years. One tumor failed to grow but 13 were successfully karyotyped. RESULTS: Seven tumors (53.8%), including 2 from 1 kidney, had normal karyotypes or abnormalities characteristic of normal kidney tissue. A total of 6 tumors from 5 individuals (46.2%) had chromosome 1 abnormalities. Monosomy 1 was detected in 2 single tumors and in both tumors in a bilateral case. Structural anomalies resulting in loss of the short arm of chromosome 1 were found in an additional 2 patients. Other abnormalities, including Y chromosome loss and monosomy 14, were observed but no abnormalities of 11q13 were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Our series confirms that 1p loss is the most common anomaly in oncocytoma. Additional studies are required to understand the transformation potential of this usually benign tumor, identify the putative 1p tumor suppressor gene and determine whether karyotypically normal tumors have molecular abnormalities of 1p.

Comprehensive analysis of CBFbeta-MYH11 fusion transcripts in acute myeloid leukemia by RT-PCR analysis.

CBFbeta-MYH11 fusion transcripts are expressed in acute myeloid leukemias of the M4Eo subtype. Patients who express CBFbeta-MYH11 fusion transcripts respond favorably to high-dose chemotherapy and are generally spared allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Hence it is important to identify this fusion in all patients with acute myeloid leukemia M4Eo leukemia. The fusion can be detected by cytogenetics, fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), or by molecular analysis with RT-PCR. Multiple fusion transcripts arising as a result of various breakpoints in the CBFbeta and MYH11 have been identified. In this report we describe a comprehensive RT-PCR assay to identify all known fusion transcripts and provide an algorithm for molecular analysis of CBFbeta-MYH11 fusions from patient specimens. Further, identification of the fusion transcript by such an assay would help in the diagnosis and follow up of patients with cryptic inversion 16 translocations (such as patient 2 in this report) not detected by standard cytogenetics or FISH and for rational design of probes for quantitative analysis by real-time PCR.