Project description:We present a case of nephronophthisis 13 that resulted from WDR19 variants. The patient, a nine-year-old Japanese boy, had detection of mild proteinuria during a school urine screening. Urinalysis revealed mild proteinuria without hematuria. Blood tests indicated pancytopenia, mild elevation of liver enzymes, and kidney dysfunction. Ultrasound examination disclosed hepatosplenomegaly. Abdominal computed tomography and bone marrow assessments ruled out malignant tumors. Subsequent kidney and liver biopsies suggested nephronophthisis and congenital hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, comprehensive genetic analysis through next-generation sequencing revealed compound heterozygous variants in WDR19 (NM_025132.4), including the previously reported c.3533G > A, p.(Arg1178Gln), and c.3703G > A, p.(Glu1235Lys) variants, confirming the diagnosis of nephronophthisis 13. There is potential need for liver and kidney transplantation in patients with nephronophthisis and hepatic fibrosis. Early diagnosis is therefore crucial to mitigate delays in treating complications associated with kidney and hepatic insufficiency and to facilitate preparation of transplantation. To achieve early diagnosis of nephronophthisis, it is imperative to consider it as a differential diagnosis when extrarenal symptoms and kidney dysfunction coexist, particularly when mild proteinuria is observed through opportunistic urinalysis. Genetic testing is important because nephronophthisis manifests as diverse symptoms, necessitating an accurate diagnosis. Next-generation sequencing was shown to be invaluable for the genetic diagnosis of nephronophthisis, given the numerous identified causative genes.
Project description:Monogenic disorders of the kidney typically affect either the glomerular or tubulointerstitial compartment producing a distinct set of clinical phenotypes. Primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), for instance, is characterized by glomerular scarring with proteinuria and hypertension while nephronophthisis (NPHP) is associated with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy, salt wasting, and low- to normal blood pressure. For both diseases, an expanding number of non-overlapping genes with roles in glomerular filtration or primary cilium homeostasis, respectively, have been identified. TTC21B, encoding IFT139, however has been associated with disorders of both the glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartment, and linked with defective podocyte cytoskeleton and ciliary transport, respectively. Starting from a case report of extreme early-onset hypertension, proteinuria, and progressive kidney disease, as well as data from the Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project, we illustrate here the difficulties in assigning this mixed phenotype to the correct genetic diagnosis. Careful literature review supports the notion that biallelic, often hypomorph, missense variants in TTC21B are commonly associated with early-onset hypertension and histological features of both FSGS and NPHP. Increased clinical recognition of this mixed glomerular and tubulointerstitial disease with often mild or absent features of a typical ciliopathy as well as inclusion of TTC21B on gene panels for early-onset arterial hypertension might shorten the diagnostic odyssey for patients affected by this rare tubuloglomerular kidney disease.
Project description:Joubert syndrome (JBTS) is a rare ciliopathy characterized by developmental delay, hypotonia, and distinctive cerebellar and brain stem malformation called the molar tooth sign (MTS). We reported a 15-month-old female with dysmorphic features (flat nasal bridge, almond-shaped eye, and a minor midline notch in the upper lips), hypotonia, polydactyly, development delay, and MTS. Whole exome sequencing revealed biallelic heterozygous mutations c.535C>G(p.Q179E/c.853G>T) (p.E285*) in IFT74, which were inherited from the parents. So far, only one article reported JBTS associated with IFT74 gene mutation, and this is the second report of the fifth patient with JBTS due to variants in IFT74. All five patients had developmental delay, postaxial polydactyly, subtle cleft of the upper lip, hypotonia, and MTS, but notably without renal and retinal anomalies or significant obesity, and they shared the same mutation c.535C>G(p.Q179E) in IFT74, and c.853G>T(p.E285*) that we found was a new mutation in IFT74 that related with Joubert syndrome. Those findings highlight the need for the inclusion of IFT74 in gene panels for JBST testing.
Project description:IntroductionActivating Signal Cointegrator 1 Complex, Subunit 3 (ASCC3) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders and neuromuscular diseases (MIM: 620700). This paper analyzes the clinical manifestations of three patients with developmental delay caused by ASCC3 genetic variation. Additionally, we discuss the previously reported clinical features of these patients along with our own findings, thereby enhancing our understanding of these genetic disorders and providing valuable insights into diagnosis, treatment, and potential interventions for affected individuals.MethodsIn this study, we utilized trio-whole-exome sequencing (Trio-WES) and trio-copy number variations sequencing (Trio-CNV-seq) to analyze three unique families diagnosed with developmental delay caused by variation in ASCC3. Additionally, we retrospectively examined eleven previously reported ASCC3 genetic variations exhibiting similar clinical features.ResultsProband I (family 1) and Proband III (family 3) exhibited global developmental delays, characterized by intellectual disability, motor impairment, language retardation, lower muscle strength, and reduced muscle tone in their extremities. Proband II (family 2) presented poor response and dysphagia during feeding within 7 days after birth, clinical examination displayed short limbs, long trunk proportions, and clenched fists frequently observed alongside high muscle tone in his limbs -all indicative signs of developmental delay. Trio-WES revealed compound heterozygous variants in ASCC3 inherited from their parents. Proband I carried c. [489 dup]; [1897C>T], proband II carried c. [2314C>T]; [5002T>A], and proband III carried c. [5113G>T]; [718delG] variations, respectively.ConclusionThis study present the first report of Chinese children carrying compound heterozygous genetic variants in ASCC3 with LOF variants, elucidating the relationship between these variants and various aspects of intellectual disability. This novel finding expands the existing spectrum of ASCC3 variations.
Project description:BackgroundBardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare, autosomal recessive ciliopathy characterized by early onset retinal dystrophy, renal anomalies, postaxial polydactyly, and cognitive impairment with considerable phenotypic heterogeneity. BBS results from biallelic pathogenic variants in over 20 genes that encode key proteins required for the assembly or primary ciliary functions of the BBSome, a heterooctameric protein complex critical for homeostasis of primary cilia. While variants in BBS1 are most frequently identified in affected individuals, the renal and pulmonary phenotypes associated with BBS1 variants are reportedly less severe than those seen in affected individuals with pathogenic variants in the other BBS-associated genes.Case-diagnosisWe report an infant with severe renal dysplasia and lethal pulmonary hypoplasia who was homozygous for the most common BBS1 pathogenic variant (c.1169 T > G; p.M390R) and also carried a predicted pathogenic variant in TTC21B (c.1846C > T; p.R616C), a genetic modifier of disease severity of ciliopathies associated with renal dysplasia and pulmonary hypoplasia.ConclusionsThis report expands the phenotypic spectrum of BBS with the first infant with lethal neonatal respiratory failure associated with biallelic, pathogenic variants in BBS1 and a monoallelic, predicted pathogenic variant in TTC21B. BBS should be considered among the ciliopathies in the differential diagnosis of neonates with renal dysplasia and severe respiratory failure.
Project description:BackgroundNephronophthisis type 12 (NPHP 12) is a rare cilia-related cystic kidney disease, caused by TTC21B mutation, mainly involving the kidneys, which generally occurs in children. Our study aimed to illustrate its clinical, pathological and genetic characteristics by reporting an adult-onset case of NPHP 12 caused by a single heterozygous nonsense mutation of TTC21B confirmed by renal histology and whole exome sequencing and reviewing related literature with a comparative analysis of the clinical features of each case. It will further increase the recognition of this rare kidney genetic disease, which sometimes can manifest as an adult disease.ResultsA 33-years-old man showed a chronic disease course, and he exhibited slight renal dysfunction (CKD stage 3, eGFR = 49 ml/[min* 1.73 m2]) with renal tubular proteinuria, without any extrarenal manifestations, congenital malformation history of kidney disease, or family hereditary disease. Renal histological findings showed substantial interstitial fibrosis with some irregular and tortuous tubules with complex branches and segmental thickening and splitting of the tubular basement membrane. The patient was diagnosed with chronic interstitial nephritis for an unknown reason clinically. Further genetic analysis revealed a single heterozygous nonsense mutation in the TTC21B gene and NPHP 12 was diagnosed finally.ConclusionA single heterozygous mutation in the TTC21B gene may cause atypical NPHP12, which had a relatively later onset and milder clinical symptoms without developmental abnormalities. Therefore, for unexplained adult-onset chronic interstitial nephritis with unusual changes of renal tubules and interstitial fibrosis, even without a clear history of hereditary kidney disease, genetic testing is still recommended. The correct diagnosis of this rare adult-onset hereditary nephropathy can avoid unnecessary treatment.
Project description:ObjectiveTo determine the molecular basis of a new monogenetic recessive disorder that results in familial autonomic ganglionopathy with diffuse autonomic failure.MethodsTwo adult siblings from one family (I-4 and I-5) and another participant from a second family (II-3) presented with severe neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH), small nonreactive pupils, and constipation. All 3 affected members had low norepinephrine levels and diffuse panautonomic failure.ResultsWhole exome sequencing of DNA from I-4 and I-5 showed compound heterozygosity for c.907_908delCT (p.L303Dfs*115)/c.688 G>A (p.D230N) pathologic variants in the acetylcholine receptor, neuronal nicotinic, α3 subunit gene (CHRNA3). II-3 from the second family was homozygous for the same frameshift (fs) variant (p.L303Dfs*115//p.L303Dfs*115). CHRNA3 encodes a critical subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) responsible for fast synaptic transmission in the autonomic ganglia. The fs variant is clearly pathogenic and the p.D230N variant is predicted to be damaging (SIFT)/probably damaging (PolyPhen2). The p.D230N variant lies on the interface between CHRNA3 and other nAChR subunits based on structural modeling and is predicted to destabilize the nAChR pentameric complex.ConclusionsWe report a novel genetic disease that affected 3 individuals from 2 unrelated families who presented with severe nOH, miosis, and constipation. These patients had rare pathologic variants in the CHRNA3 gene that cosegregate with and are predicted to be the likely cause of their diffuse panautonomic failure.
Project description:BackgroundAminoacyl tRNA transferases play an essential role in protein biosynthesis, and variants of these enzymes result in various human diseases. FARSA, which encodes the α subunit of cytosolic phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, was recently reported as a suspected causal gene for multiorgan disorder. This study aimed to validate the pathogenicity of variants in the FARSA gene.ResultsExome sequencing revealed novel compound heterozygous variants in FARSA, P347L and R475Q, from a patient who initially presented neonatal-onset failure to thrive, liver dysfunction, and frequent respiratory infections. His developmental milestones were nearly arrested, and the patient died at 28 months of age as a result of progressive hepatic and respiratory failure. The P347L variant was predicted to disrupt heterodimer interaction and failed to form a functional heterotetramer by structural and biochemical analyses. R475 is located at a highly conserved site and is reported to be involved in phenylalanine activation and transfer to tRNA. The R475Q mutant FARSA were co-purified with FARSB, but the mutant enzyme showed an approximately 36% reduction in activity in our assay relative to the wild-type protein. Additional functional analyses on variants from previous reports (N410K, F256L, R404C, E418D, and F277V) were conducted. The R404C variant from a patient waiting for organ transplantation also failed to form tetramers but the E418D, N410K, F256L, and F277V variants did not affect tetramer formation. In the functional assay, the N410K located at the phenylalanine-binding site exhibited no catalytic activity, whereas other variants (E418D, F256L and F277V) exhibited lower ATPase activity than wild-type FARSA at low phenylalanine concentrations.ConclusionsOur data demonstrated the pathogenicity of biallelic variants in FARSA and suggested the implication of hypomorphic variants in severe phenotypes.
Project description:The exponential rise in our understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of genetic cystic kidney diseases can be attributed to the identification of cystogenic genes over the last three decades. The foundation of this was laid by positional cloning strategies which gradually shifted towards next-generation sequencing (NGS) based screenings. This shift has enabled the discovery of novel cystogenic genes at an accelerated pace unlike ever before and, most notably, the past decade has seen the largest increase in identification of the genes which cause nephronophthisis (NPHP). NPHP is a monogenic autosomal recessive cystic kidney disease caused by mutations in a diverse clade of over 26 identified genes and is the most common genetic cause of renal failure in children. NPHP gene types present with some common pathophysiological features alongside a diverse range of extra-renal phenotypes associated with specific syndromic presentations. This review provides a timely update on our knowledge of this disease, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, anatomical and molecular features. We delve into the diversity of the NPHP causing genes and discuss known molecular mechanisms and biochemical pathways that may have possible points of intersection with polycystic kidney disease (the most studied renal cystic pathology). We delineate the pathologies arising from extra-renal complications and co-morbidities and their impact on quality of life. Finally, we discuss the current diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available for disease management, outlining possible avenues of research to improve the prognosis for NPHP patients.