Hyperferritinemia-cataract syndrome: Long-term ophthalmic observations in an Italian family

Background: Hyperferritinemia-cataract syndrome (HCS) is a rare Mendelian condition characterized by bilateral cataract and high levels of serum ferritin in the absence of iron overload.

Methods: HCS was diagnosed in three adult siblings. In two of them it was possible to assess lens changes initially in 1995 and again in 2013. Serum ferritin, iron, transferrin concentrations and transferrin saturation percentage were also measured, and the Iron Responsive Element (IRE) region of the L-ferritin gene (FTL) was studied.

Results: Serum ferritin concentrations were considerably elevated while serum iron, transferrin and transferrin saturation levels were within the normal range in each sibling. Cataract changes in our patients were consistent with those previously reported in the literature. Progression of the cataract, an aspect of few studies in this syndrome, appeared to be quite limited in extent. The heterozygous +32G to T (-168G>T) substitution in the IRE of the FTL gene was detected in this family.

Conclusions: Ophthalmic and biochemical studies together with genetic testing confirmed HCS in three family members. Although the disorder has been extensively described in recent years, little is known regarding cataract evolution over time. In our cases, lens evaluations encompassed many years, identified bilateral cataract of typical morphology and supported the hypothesis that this unique clinical feature of the disease tends to be slowly progressive in nature, at least in adults.     

Myotonia congenita with strabismus in a large family with a mutation in the SCN4A gene

Background/AimsTo determine the genetic basis of myotonia congenita (MC) and strabismus in a large Caucasian family.MethodsSeven patients making up four generations of a family with MC and strabismus were recruited. All patients had at least one standard ophthalmic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity, refraction, and ocular motility measurements. CLCN1 and SCN4A genes were sequenced and analysed for mutations.ResultsFive out of the seven family members were diagnosed with MC by clinical history and electromyography. Ophthalmic history and exam revealed eyelid myotonia and strabismus. All patients with MC were diagnosed with strabismus between the ages of 3 and 6 and required surgical restoration of ocular alignment. Sequencing results revealed a c. 1333G>A; p. Val445Met mutation in the SCN4A gene.ConclusionThere are few reports describing eyelid myotonia and strabismus in patients diagnosed with MC. We found significant ocular involvement in a family with a mutation in SCN4A. Future studies may confirm that MC with significant ocular involvement can be used to direct genetic analysis.     

A novel decorin gene mutation in congenital hereditary stromal dystrophy: a Korean family

A 43-year-old man developed decreased vision in the right eye that had persisted for seven years. Under slit lamp examination, corneal clouding was noted with normal endothelium and ocular structure. From the clinical evidence, we suspected that the patient had congenital hereditary stromal dystrophy (CHSD). He and his family underwent a genetic analysis. Penetrating keratoplasty was conducted, and the corneal button was investigated for histopathologic confirmation via both light and electron microscopy. The histopathologic results revealed mildly loosened stromal structures, which exhibited an almost normal arrangement and differed slightly from the previous findings of CHSD cases. With regard to the genetic aspects, the patient and his mother harbored a novel point mutation of the decorin gene. This genetic mutation is also distinct from previously described deletion mutations of the decorin gene. This case involved delayed penetration of mild clinical symptoms with the histological feature of a loosened fiber arrangement in the corneal stroma. We concluded that this condition was a mild form of CHSD. However, from another perspective, this case could be considered as "decorin gene-associated corneal dystrophy," which is distinct from CHSD. Further evaluation will be required for appropriate clinical, histopathologic and genetic approaches for such cases.     

Genetic linkage analyses and Cx50 mutation detection in a large multiplex Chinese family with hereditary nuclear cataract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to characterize the underlying mutation in a large multiplex Chinese family with hereditary nuclear cataract.

Methods: A 6-generation Chinese family having hereditary nuclear cataract was recruited and clinically verified. Blood DNA samples were obtained from 53 available family members. Linkage analyses were performed on the known candidate regions for hereditary cataract with 36 polymorphic microsatellite markers. To identify mutations related to cataract, a direct sequencing approach was applied to a candidate gene residing in our linkage locus.

Results: A linkage locus was identified with a maximum 2-point LOD score of 4.31 (recombination fraction?=?0) at marker D1S498 and a maximum multipoint LOD score of 5.7 between markers D1S2344 and D1S498 on chromosome 1q21.1, where the candidate gene Cx50 is located. Direct sequencing of Cx50 showed a 139 G to A transition occurred in all affected family members. This transitional mutation resulted in a replacement of aspartic acid by asparagine at residue 47 (D47N) and led to a loss-of-function of the protein.

Conclusions: The D47N mutation of Cx50 causes the hereditary nuclear cataract in this family in an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with incomplete penetrance.     

一个X连锁显性遗传Nance-Horan综合征家系致病突变的遗传学研究

目的对中国东北辽宁地区一个三代后极性先天性白内障合并小眼球小角膜家系进行致病变异筛查,为临床明确诊断及遗传咨询提供必要的遗传学依据。 方法2017年4月采集该家系中2例患者和1例正常对照者的外周静脉血,提取基因组脱氧核糖核酸,对先证者进行眼部检查。通过MiSeq测序平台对4813个临床疾病相关基因进行高通量测序,寻找致病变异位点。 结果该家系表现为后极性先天性白内障伴有小眼球小角膜,呈X连锁显性遗传。对家系中3个成员基因组脱氧核糖核酸进行测序,发现家系内患者携带X染色体NHS基因无义突变(NHS c．742C>T,p.R248^*),该突变在家系中与疾病表型共分离。通过查询人类基因突变数据库,该突变为Nance-Horan综合征致病突变,患者临床表现与该综合征相符。 结论该家系诊断为Nance-Horan综合征,NHS基因c.742C>T(p.R248^*)突变是该家系的致病变异。     

Identification of a stop codon mutation in exon 2 of the collagen 2A1 gene in a large stickler syndrome family

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical features and identify the mutation responsible for an autosomal dominant vitreoretinal degeneration occurring in a previously unreported large family. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Family members were evaluated clinically over a 30-year period. Genealogical investigation, genetic linkage to known vitreoretinal degenerations, and mutation screening of the COL2A1 gene were performed. RESULTS: We identified a single large family (2,384 total family members) with vitreoretinal degeneration spanning 12 generations. We reviewed the clinical records of 165 family members (95 affected and 70 unaffected). The common clinical findings in affected individuals included early-onset posterior perivascular retinal degeneration, vitreous degeneration, and retinal detachment. The incidence of retinal detachment was 57% (95/165) and the mean age of onset was 15.2 years. Orofacial, skeletal, and auditory abnormalities were seen in 0%, 5%, and 7.5%, respectively, in a subset of 28 affected subjects. Linkage to the collagen COL2A1 locus was demonstrated and a cytosine to adenosine transition identified within exon 2, leading to the creation of a stop codon at position 86 (Cys86Stop). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of the mutation in this family enables diagnosis of individuals at risk for potentially blinding complications in this condition at an early age. Given the variability of the Stickler phenotype, mutation detection allows for more comprehensive genetic counseling and directs clinical monitoring to family members inheriting the disease gene.     

FGFR2 mutation in a Chinese family with unusual Crouzon syndrome

AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics with genetic lesions in a Chinese family with Crouzon syndrome. METHODS: All five patients from this family were included and received comprehensive ophthalmic and systemic examinations. Direct sequencing of the FGFR2 gene was employed for mutation identification. Crystal structure analysis was applied to analyze the structural changes associated with the substitution. RESULTS: All patients presented typical Crouzon features, including short stature, craniosynostosis, mandibular prognathism, shallow orbits with proptosis, and exotropia. Intrafamilial phenotypic diversities were observed. Atrophic optic nerves were exclusively detected in the proband and her son. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) implied a cystic lesion in her sellar and third ventricular regions. A missense mutation, FGFR2 p.Cys342Trp, was found as disease causative. This substitution would generate conformational changes in the extracellular Ig-III domain of the FGFR-2 protein, thus altering its physical and biological properties. CONCLUSION: We describe the clinical presentations and genotypic lesions in a Chinese family with Crouzon syndrome. The intrafamilial phenotypic varieties in this family suggest that other genetic modifiers may also play a role in the pathogenesis of Crouzon syndrome.     

先天性白内障一家系晶状体蛋白突变基因筛查

目的对先天性白内障一家系进行晶状体蛋白致病基因的初步筛查。方法通过聚合酶链反应（PCR）对先天性白内障一家系中4代8例患者进行CRYAA、CRYAB、CRYA1／A3、CRYBB2、CRYGC和CRYGD6个候选基因的外显子及内含子扩增,扩增产物进行直接测序,测序结果与GeneBank中原始序列进行BLAST比对分析。结果该家系每代均有先天性白内障患者,遗传方式为常染色体显性遗传。该家系的CRYAA、CRYAB、CRYA1／A3、CRYBB2、CRYGC和CRYGD6个晶状体蛋白候选基因的外显子及其邻近的内含子与基因库对照未发现任何突变。结论CRYAA、CRYAB、CRYA1／A3、CRYBB2、CRYGC和CRYGD为该先天性白内障家系的非致病基因。     

A novel frameshift mutation in CX46 associated with hereditary dominant cataracts in a Chinese family

AIM: To investigate the genetic mutations that are associated the hereditary autosomal dominant cataract in a Chinese family. METHODS: A Chinese family consisting of 20 cataract patients (including 9 male and 11 female) and 2 unaffected individuals from 5 generations were diagnosed to be a typical autosomal dominant cataract pedigree. Genomic DNA samples were extracted from the peripheral blood cells of the participants in this pedigree. Exon sequence was used for genetic mutation screening. In silico analysis was used to study the structure characteristics of connexin 46 (CX46) mutant. Immunoblotting was conduceted for testing the expression of CX46. RESULTS: To determine the involved genetic mutations, 11 well-known cataract-associated genes (cryaa, cryab, crybb1, crybb2, crygc, crygd, Gja3, Gja8, Hsf4, Mip and Pitx3) were chosen for genetic mutation test by using exon sequencing. A novel cytosine insertion at position 1195 of CX46 cDNA (c.1194_1195ins C) was found in the samples of 5 tested cataract patients but not in the unaffected 2 individuals nor in normal controls, which resulted in 30 amino acids more extension in CX46C-terminus (cx46fs400) compared with the wild-type CX46. In silico protein structure analysis indicated that the mutant showed distinctive hydrophobicity and protein secondary structure compared with the wild-type CX46. The immunoblot results revealed that CX46 protein, which expressed in the aging cataract lens tissues, was absence in the proband lens. In contrast, CX50, alpha A-crystallin and alphaB-crystallin expressed equally in both proband and aging cataract tissues. Those results revealed that the cx46fs400 mutation could impair CX46 protein expression. CONCLUSION: The insertion of cytosine at position 1195 of CX46 cDNA is a novel mutation site that is associated with the autosomal dominant cataracts in this Chinese family. The C-terminal frameshift mutation is involved in regulating CX46 protein expression.     

一个X连锁遗传的先天性眼球震颤家系基因突变研究

目的 探讨一个X连锁遗传先天性特发性眼球震颤家系的致病基因.方法 为回顾性研究.通过询问病史、临床检查确定遗传表型;进行系谱分析确定遗传方式;通过连锁分析进行致病基因定位;通过基因序列分析发现致病基因突变.结果 经连锁分析,将致病基因定位于Xq25-Xq27 上微卫星位点DXS8044阳DXS1227之间;基因序列分析发现FRMD7基因第8外显子存在两个碱基的缺失.结论 FRMD7基因突变是导致该家系出现疾病的主要原因.     

Thiel-Behnke角膜营养不良家系的TGFBI基因突变研究

目的探讨我国Thiel—Behnke角膜营养不良中TGFBI基因突变的类型,了解5代常染色体显性遗传性Thiel—Behnke角膜营养不良家系的基因突变位点。方法对1个常染色体显性遗传性Thiel-Behnke角膜营养不良家系成员中10例患者和2名正常人进行眼科常规检查,抽取5ml外周血,盐析法提取基因组DNA,利用TGFBI基因第4、7、8、11、12外显子特异性引物,进行PCR扩增,对扩增产物测序进行突变检测。结果对TGFBI第4、7、8、11、12外显子扩增产物进行直接双向测序,在TGFBI基因第12外显子发现G→A的改变,此改变位于基因第12外显子,导致编码蛋白质第555位精氨酸被谷氨酰胺取代（R555Q）。这一序列的改变见于家系所有受累成员,而家系其他正常个体均无此改变。结论本研究Thiel—Behnke角膜营养不良家系患者的角膜病变由TGFBI基因R555Q突变引起,两者密切相关。     

Clinical phenotype in a Swedish family with a mutation in the IMPDH1 gene

PURPOSE: Mutations in the inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 1 gene (IMPDH1) have recently been discovered to cause a form of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP). Such mutations are estimated to account for approximately 2-5% of the adRP cases among Americans of European origin and Europeans. Aiming towards an understanding of the molecular background of retinitis pigmentosa, this paper describes the phenotype of a Swedish family with a mutation in IMPDH1. METHODS: Venous blood samples were obtained from 12 family members and screened for mutations in IMPDH1. Six individuals with the mutation were examined clinically and with full-field electroretinography (ERG), dark adaptometry, multifocal electroretinography (mfERG), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Also reviewed were the clinical findings and ERGs obtained 14 years earlier. RESULTS: The proband and eight other relatives from three generations were found to harbor the Asp226Asn mutation in IMPDH1. These individuals, from three generations, showed clinical and electrophysiological signs of retinitis pigmentosa. The cone responses to the full-field, 30-Hz flicker ERG demonstrated an unusual pattern, with implicit times within normal limits or only slightly prolonged. Rod ERG responses, however, were undetectable. OCT showed intraretinal fluid and swelling, changes that were more pronounced in younger individuals. mfERG showed residual preserved central function. The older the individual, the smaller the area of preserved central function. CONCLUSION: In this family with a mutation in IMPDH1, we found a specific phenotype with rod function affected more than cone function, foveal edema, and central retinal function preserved for a long period of time. Foveal edema could be a pathogenic feature in this form of retinal degeneration.     

X-linked retinoschisis: novel mutation in the initiation codon of the XLRS1 gene in a large family

PURPOSE: To describe a novel point mutation in the initiation codon of the XLRS1 gene in a large family and the clinical features of males affected with X-linked juvenile retino-schisis. METHODS: Genealogic investigation and mutation screening of the XLRS1 gene were performed for a 4-generation family consisting of 72 members. Affected males were evaluated clinically between 1986 and 2004 with up to 18 years of follow-up. RESULTS: We identified a novel point mutation (1A>T transversion) in the initiation codon of the XLRS1 gene in affected males resulting in an amino acid substitution of methionine to leucine (Met1Leu), therefore abolishing the translation initiation Met codon. CONCLUSION: Identification of the disease-causing mutation in this family with long-term follow-up allows for earlier and more accurate identification of individuals at risk for this inherited progressive macular degeneration, provides for more accurate genetic counseling, and contributes to our understanding of the pathophysiology of this disorder.     

The heterozygous EDNRB mutation in a Chinese family with Waardenburg syndrome type I

The genovariation of endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) was identified in a Chinese family with Waardenburg syndrome type I (WS1) in the present study. WS1 was diagnosed in a 19-year-old young man, his older sister and aunt according to WS consortium criteria. After extracting genomic DNA from the peripheral blood samples, the coding exons and intronic regions of EDNRB were sequenced. A missense heterozygous mutation was found in the coding region of exon 2 in the EDNRB gene on chormosome 13q22.3 of the proband. The same mutation was detected in the proband’s afflicted paternal aunt and first older sister. Subsequent polyphen analysis and three-dimensional modeling confirmed that the c.469A>G heterozygous mutation in EDNRB was possibly pathogenic. This is the first report of EDNRB mutation as a potential disease-causing mutation in Chinese patients with WS1.