Phenotype Variability in Czech Patients Carrying PAX6 Disease-Causing Variants.

The aim of this study was to report PAX6 disease-causing variants in six Czech families, to describe the associated phenotypes, and to perform functional assessment of the splice site variants. Detailed ophthalmic examination was performed. The PAX6 coding region was directly sequenced in three probands. Two probands were analysed by exome sequencing and one by genome sequencing. The effect of two variants on pre-mRNA splicing was evaluated using an exon trapping assay. Six different heterozygous PAX6 variants were identified, with c.111_120del and c.1183+1G˃T being novel. Both c.1183+1G˃T and c.1032+1G>A were proved to cause aberrant splicing with exon skipping and subsequent frameshift. The phenotypic features were variable between and within families. One individual, aged 31 years, presented with mild unilateral ptosis accompanied by aniridia in the right eye, partial aniridia in the left eye, and bilateral congenital cataracts, without marked foveal hypoplasia. Bilateral microcornea, partial aniridia, congenital cataracts, and a large posterior segment coloboma were found in another proband, aged 32 years. One child, aged 8 years, had bilateral high myopia, optic nerve colobomas, anterior polar cataracts, but no iris defects. Another individual, aged 46 years, had bilateral congenital ptosis, iris hypoplasia, keratopathy with marked fibrovascular pannus, anterior polar cataract, and foveal hypoplasia combined with impaired glucose tolerance. However, his daughter, aged 11 years, showed classical features of aniridia. Our study extends the genetic spectrum of PAX6 disease-causing variants and confirms that the associated phenotypic features may be very broad and different to the 'classical' aniridia.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of X-linked diseases examined by indirect linkage analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many centers of assisted reproduction in the Czech Republic offer preimplantation genetic diagnosis with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to couples requiring preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of X-linked diseases. However, this process results in discarding all male embryos and is not able to distinguish a carrier or healthy female embryo in X-linked recessive disorders. OBJECTIVES: The main aim of this study was to summarize a six-year period of PGD of X-linked monogenic diseases using indirect linkage analysis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We wanted to accentuate the advantage indirect analysis of PGD using multiple displacement amplification (MDA) followed by short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. We present forty-six PGD cycles, including pre-case haplotyping (PGH) panel, for fifteen X-linked diseases. Embryo transfer was made thirty-eight times and gravidity was confirmed in thirteen female probands with a success rate of pregnancy calculated at 42 %. CONCLUSIONS: PGD procedure using MDA amplification followed by STR analysis provides help in identifying genetic defects within embryos prior to implantation. The reliability of the method was also supported by high pregnancy rate compared to other publications, which commonly achieved a 30-35 % success rate (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 33).

[Implementation of arrays in first trimester prenatal diagnosis]. / Implementace array vysetrení do prenatální diagnostiky v I. trimestru.

OBJECTIVE: Array technology in chorionic villus sampling (CVS) - analysis of clinical benefit and a proposal of a more effective 1st trimester genetic testing policy. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Gennet, Center of Medical Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Prague. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total of 913 CVS were performed at Gennet between 2010-2014. All 913 samples were tested by QF-PCR rapid test for aneuploidy of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y and karyotyping following standard long term culture. Microarray analysis (Illumina HumanCytoSNP12 v2.1) was performed on 179 samples with normal result from both - QF-PCR and karyotyping. RESULTS: At 229 samples the common chromosomal aneuploidy was detected using rapid QF-PCR (25% from 911 successful rapid tests). Conventional karyotyping revealed 239 unbalanced chromosome aberrations (27% from 897 successful cultivations). 227/239 (95%) positive karyotypes confirmed QF-PCR finding of common aneuploidies. 10 unbalanced chromosome aberrations were not covered by rapid QF-PCR test. Microarray analysis of samples with normal result from both- QF-PCR and karyotyping- revealed 13 clinically relevant chromosome aberrations (7.5%). CONCLUSION: New policy for chorionic villi testing at Gennet was established. Based on evaluation of the results of karyotyping, array and QF-PCR and analysis of published data we decided to replace karyotyping by microarray analysis in all cases of foetuses with normal results from QF-PCR. More effective detection of pathological and clinically relevant chromosome aberrations in examined foetuses is expected.

[Application of SNP array method in prenatal diagnosis]. / Aplikace metody SNP array v prenatální diagnostice.

OBJECTIVES: SNP array (array method using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) enables to detect cytogenetically undetectable submicroscopic alterations (microdeletions, microduplications), which could be also causative for ultrasonographic anomalies of fetus. This article describes the principle, advantages, disadvantages and application possibilities of the SNP array method in prenatal diagnosis. The ten month experience with SNP array use in prenatal diagnosis is presented. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTINGS: Gennet, Prague. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the period from April 2010 to January 2011 we performed 110 SNP array analyses of fetal DNA: 14 chorionic villi samples (CVS), 88 amniotic fluid samples (AMC), 1 cord blood sample and 7 miscarriage samples. Laboratory tests were carried out on DNA from both cultured and uncultured fetal cells. Examinations were performed in fetuses with sonographic abnormal findings having normal karyotype. In addition 14 fetal cytogenetic abnormalities were solved. SNP array analysis was performed using Illumina InfiniumHD HumanCytoSNP-12 chip. All data were analysed by Illumina KaryoStudio and GenomeStudio software. RESULTS: SNP array analysis was performed in 108 fetuses (only 2 examination failures, 1.8%). In total, we detected CNV (copy number variation) in 29 samples (29/108 = 27%). 15% (16/108) of fetuses with abnormal ultrasound findings were found to carry clinically relevant CNV. Probably benign CNVs were found in 8 samples (8/108 = 7%) and in additional 5 CNVs parental samples have not been analysed yet. Excluding karyotypically abnormal cases clinically relevant CNVs were found in 10% of fetuses (9/94). In all cases with de novo chromosomal aberration the clinical relevancy was clarified (imbalances in 50%). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that SNP array analysis is a relevant and useful technique in prenatal diagnosis.

[Frequency view on genome changes testing]. / Frekvencní pohled na vysetrení odchylek genomu.

Laboratories dealing with human genome, both inherited and acquired changes, dispose with similar methods and technology. The spectrum of genetic tests is relatively broad and the number of mutations or variants tested differs substantially. Also the number of examinations carried out in individual laboratories varies. Data presented in the tables come from the year 2004 and indicate the number of examinations requested and number of positive results. Many laboratories mentioned in the registry CZDDNAL (http://www.uhkt.cz/lab_a_vysetreni/nr lab_dna_diag/dna_lab_db) perform the same tests but there is also a great number of tests carried out by only one laboratory. Reasons of the request, cost-effectiveness and clinical utility of genetic testing is being discussed.