一例X-连锁高IgM综合征合并进行性多灶性脑白质病的基因变异分析

目的对1例临床拟诊为X-连锁高IgM综合征(X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome,XHIM)并发进行性多灶性脑白质病变(progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy,PML)的患儿CD40L基因及人类嗜神经多瘤病毒(Jamestown Canyon virus,JCV)进行检测,明确致病原因,为临床诊断提供依据。方法采集患儿及父母外周血提取基因组NDA,设计扩增CD40L基因5个外显子及外显子-内含子连接区的特异性引物并进行PCR扩增,产物测序结果与GenBank中CD40L基因序列分析对比确定有无变异。用两对JCV特异性引物对患儿外周血DNA行巢式PCR扩增,目的条带PCR产物测序结果与GenBank中JCV序列对比确定患儿是否存在JCV感染。结果测序结果显示患儿为CD40L c.506 A>C(p.Tyr169Ser)错义变异半合子,该变异位于CD40L肿瘤坏死因子同源区结构域,引起CD40L蛋白疏水作用及结构稳定性丧失,经PolyPhen2及SIFT蛋白功能预测软件预测分别为很可能有害变异(probably damaging,score=1.00)及有害变异(deleterious,score=-8.868),该变异尚未见文献报道。患儿母亲携带CD40L c.506 A>C(p.Tyr169Ser)半合子变异,父亲未检测到该变异。患儿外周血DNA巢式PCR产物经凝胶电泳后发现JCV目的条带,测序结果与GenBank中JCV基因序列比对同源性达到99%,表明患儿外周血DNA中含有JCV,有JCV感染。结论CD40L基因分析及JCV检测结果确诊患儿为XHIGM,其并发的PML与JCV感染有关。     

Gene annotation of nuclear receptor superfamily genes in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus and the effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone on lipid metabolism

The hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone is fundamental for regulating moulting and metamorphosis in immature insects, and it plays a role in physiological regulation in adult insects. This hormone acts by binding and activating a receptor, the ecdysone receptor, which is part of the nuclear receptor gene superfamily. Here, we analyse the genome of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to annotate the nuclear receptor superfamily genes. The R. prolixus genome displays a possible duplication of the HNF4 gene. All the analysed insect organs express most nuclear receptor genes as shown by RT-PCR. The quantitative PCR analysis showed that the RpEcR and RpUSP genes are highly expressed in the testis, while the RpHNF4-1 and RpHNF4-2 genes are more active in the fat body and ovaries and in the anterior midgut, respectively. Feeding does not induce detectable changes in the expression of these genes in the fat body. However, the expression of the RpHNF4-2 gene is always higher than that of RpHNF4-1. Treating adult females with 20-hydroxyecdysone increased the amount of triacylglycerol stored in the fat bodies by increasing their lipogenic capacity. These results indicate that 20-hydroxyecdysone acts on the lipid metabolism of adult insects, although the underlying mechanism is not clear.     

Identification of key genes and pathways in discoid lupus skin via bioinformatics analysis

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common skin manifestation of lupus; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying DLE remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in discoid lupus skin and investigate their potential pathways.To identify candidate genes involved in the occurrence and development of the disease, we downloaded the microarray datasets {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE52471","term_id":"52471"}}GSE52471 and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE72535","term_id":"72535"}}GSE72535 from the Gene Expression Database (GEO). DEGs between discoid lupus skin and normal controls were selected using the GEO2R tool and Venn diagram software (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/Venn/). The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), Enrichr, and Cytoscape ClueGo were used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome pathways and gene ontology. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of these DEGs were further assessed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval Interacting Genes version 10.0.Seventy three DEGs were co-expressed in both datasets. DEGs were predominantly upregulated in receptor signaling pathways of the immune response. In the PPI network, 69 upregulated genes were selected. Furthermore, 4 genes (CXCL10, ISG15, IFIH1, and IRF7) were found to be significantly upregulated in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, from analysis of Enrichr and Cytoscape ClueGo.The results of this study may provide new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of DLE. However, further experimentation is required to confirm these findings.     

HSG、Ki67组织表达与宫颈癌新辅助化疗治疗效果的相关分析

目的探讨细胞增殖抑制基因(HSG)、增殖细胞核抗原(Ki67)组织表达与宫颈癌新辅助化疗治疗效果的相关性。方法选取2017年1月至2019年7月广东省第二人民医院收治的180例经临床确诊的宫颈癌患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组90例。对照组采用传统手术治疗和放疗;观察组实施收治治疗、放疗及新辅助化疗。统计比较两组治疗前后HSG、Ki67水平变化、临床疗效及不良反应发生率情况。结果观察组术后3周及术后6周HSG阳性表达率高于对照组,而Ki67阳性表达率低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组疾病控制率(DCR)高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论宫颈患部HSG表达率与宫颈癌患者的康复情况呈正相关,而Ki67表达水平与宫颈癌患者DCR呈负相关。评估HSG及Ki67指标变化对宫颈癌新辅助化疗结果的评价具有重要的指导价值。     

Clinical features and possible founder mutation of the 8bp duplication mutation in the SLC4A11 gene causing corneal dystrophy and perceptive deafness in three South American families

Background: Corneal Dystrophy and Perceptive Deafness (CDPD) or Harboyan syndrome is an autosomal recessive rare disorder, characterized by congenital corneal opacities and progressive sensorineural hearing loss, which usually begins after the second decades of life. This study reports the ophthalmic, audiological and genetic features, in five CDPD affected patients from three Chilean families.

Materials and Methods: Five individuals affected with CDPD from three unrelated Chilean families were clinically and genetically examined. To evaluate a putative founder mutation 7 SNPs were analyzed in the three families, an Argentinian patient (carrier of the same mutation previously reported) and 87 Chilean controls.

Results: The ophthalmic symptoms in the five patients were bilateral and symmetric, starting before one year of age, and visual acuity varied from 0.1 to 0.3. In all cases, hearing loss began over 8 years old. The sequence of the 19 exons of SLC4A11 gene of all the affected patients exhibited homozygous eight nucleotide sequence duplication (c.2233_2240dup TATGACAC, p.(Ile748Metfs*5)) at the end of exon 16. All the affected patients of the three families were homozygous for a haplotype composed of five SNPs and covering 4,1 Mb. The same haplotype was present in one allele of the heterozygous Argentinean patient and has a frequency of 2.76% in Chilean population.

Conclusions: The five CDPD patients were homozygous for the same mutation in the SLC4A11 gene. Haplotype analysis of all the affected, including the case reported from Argentina was in accordance with a founder mutation.     

Early posterior vitreous detachment is associated with LAMA5 dominant mutation

Background: Extracellular matrix molecular components, previously linked to multisystem syndromes include collagens, fibrillins and laminins. Recently, we described a novel multisystem syndrome caused by the c.9418G>A p.(V3140M) mutation in the laminin alpha-5 (LAMA5) gene, which affects connective tissues of all organs and apparatus in a three generation family. In the same family, we have also reported a myopic trait, which, however, was linked to the Prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha-2 (P4HA2) gene. Results of investigation on vitreous changes and their pathogenesis are reported in the present study.Materials and Methods: Nineteen family individuals underwent complete ophthalmic examination including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus examination, fundus photography, intraocular pressure measurement, axial length measurement using ocular biometry, Goldmann visual field examination, standard electroretinogram, SD-OCT. Segregation analysis of LAMA5 and P4HA2 mutations was performed in enrolled members.Results: The vitreous alterations fully segregated with LAMA5 mutation in both young and adult family members. Slight reduction of retinal thickness and peripheral retinal degeneration in only two patients were reported.Conclusions: In this work we showed that PVD is a common trait of LAMA5 multisystem syndrome, therefore occurring as an age-unrelated trait. We hypothesize that the p.(V3140M) mutation results in a reduction of retinal inner limiting membrane (ILM) stability, leading to a derangement in the macromolecular structure of the vitreous gel, and PVD. Further investigations will be necessary to elucidate the role of wild type and mutated LAMA5 in the pathogenesis of PVD.