Spectrum of mucocutaneous,ocular and facial features and delineation of novel presentations in 62 classical Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome patients

Classical Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (cEDS) is characterized by marked cutaneous involvement, according to the Villefranche nosology and its 2017 revision. However, the diagnostic flow‐chart that prompts molecular testing is still based on experts’ opinion rather than systematic published data. Here we report on 62 molecularly characterized cEDS patients with focus on skin, mucosal, facial, and articular manifestations. The major and minor Villefranche criteria, additional 11 mucocutaneous signs and 15 facial dysmorphic traits were ascertained and feature rates compared by sex and age. In our cohort, we did not observe any mandatory clinical sign. Skin hyperextensibility plus atrophic scars was the most frequent combination, whereas generalized joint hypermobility according to the Beighton score decreased with age. Skin was more commonly hyperextensible on elbows, neck, and knees. The sites more frequently affected by abnormal atrophic scarring were knees, face (especially forehead), pretibial area, and elbows. Facial dysmorphism commonly affected midface/orbital areas with epicanthal folds and infraorbital creases more commonly observed in young patients. Our findings suggest that the combination of ≥1 eye dysmorphism and facial/forehead scars may support the diagnosis in children. Minor acquired traits, such as molluscoid pseudotumors, subcutaneous spheroids, and signs of premature skin aging are equally useful in adults.     

Elastic fiber abnormalities in hypermobility type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients with tenascin-X mutations

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders with characteristic skin and joint involvement. The concept that EDS is a disease of fibrillar collagen was challenged by the identification of a clinically distinct, recessive type of EDS caused by deficiency of the extracellular matrix protein tenascin-X (TNX). Interestingly, haploinsufficiency of TNX is associated with the dominantly inherited hypermobility type of EDS. In this study, we examined whether missense mutations in the TNX gene can account for some of the cases of hypermobility type EDS. Furthermore, we studied whether missense mutations or heterozygosity for truncating mutations in the TNX gene lead to alterations in the dermal connective tissue. Sequence analysis revealed three missense mutations in TNX in hypermobility type EDS patients, which were not present in 192 control alleles. Morphometric analysis of skin biopsies of these patients showed altered elastic fibers in one of them, suggesting that this missense mutation is disease causing. Light microscopic and ultrastructural changes of the elastic fibers were observed in TNX-haploinsufficient hypermobility type EDS patients, which were not found in hypermobility type EDS patients in whom TNX mutations were excluded. Our results indicate that the observed alterations in elastic fibers are specific for hypermobility type EDS patients with mutations of TNX.     

Marfanoid hypermobility caused by an 862 kb deletion of Xq22.3 in a patient with Sotos syndrome

Sotos syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by overgrowth associated with macrocephaly and delayed psychomotor development. Patients with Sotos syndrome show 5q35 deletions involving NSD1 or its point mutations. We identified the common 5q35 deletion in a patient with atypical Sotos syndrome manifesting extremely severe developmental delay, joint hypermobility, and skin hyperextensibility, which are recognized as Marfanoid hypermobility syndrome. Further analyses were performed to identify the genetic cause of these additional findings. aCGH analysis revealed an additional 862 kb deletion of Xq22.3 in this patient, which was inherited from his healthy mother. The deleted region included five genes, including the nik‐related kinase gene (NRK), which would be a candidate gene for the patient's Marfanoid hypermobility, because it is a member of the glucokinase subfamily that are involved in activating the JNK pathway, and is expressed in developing skeletal musculature. Severe developmental delay seen in the patient may be derived from position effect of the deletion for neighboring interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein‐like 2 gene (IL1RAPL2), which is a candidate gene for X‐linked mental retardation. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Total absence of the alpha2(I) chain of collagen type I causes a rare form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with hypermobility and propensity to cardiac valvular problems

Background

Heterozygous mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 gene encoding the α1 and α2 chain of type I collagen generally cause either osteogenesis imperfecta or the arthrochalasis form of Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (EDS). Homozygous or compound heterozygous COL1A2 mutations resulting in complete deficiency of the proα2(I) collagen chains are extremely rare and have been reported in only a few patients, albeit with variable phenotypic outcome.

Methods

The clinical features of the proband, a 6 year old boy, were recorded. Analysis of proα and α‐collagen chains was performed by SDS‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using the Laemmli buffer system. Single stranded conformation polymorphism analysis of the proband''s DNA was also carried out.

Results

In this report we show that complete lack of proα2(I) collagen chains can present as a phenotype reminiscent of mild hypermobility EDS during childhood.

Conclusions

Biochemical analysis of collagens extracted from skin fibroblasts is a powerful tool to detect the subset of patients with complete absence of proα2(I) collagen chains, and in these patients, careful cardiac follow up with ultrasonography is highly recommended because of the risk for cardiac valvular problems in adulthood.     

Exploring relationships between joint hypermobility and neurodevelopment in children (4–13 years) with hereditary connective tissue disorders and developmental coordination disorder

Joint hypermobility (JH) is a common, though largely ignored physical trait with increasing clinical reverberations. A few papers suggest a link between JH and selected neurodevelopmental disorders, such as developmental coordination disorder (DCD). JH is also the hallmark of various hereditary connective tissue disorders (HCTDs). Children with HCTDs may present abnormal neurodevelopment but its manifestations remain undetermined. This study examined 23 children (group 1), aged 4–13 years, with different HCTDs (i.e., 19 with hypermobile Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (EDS)/hypermobility spectrum disorder, 3 with molecularly confirmed classical EDS, and 1 with Loeys‐Dietz syndrome type 1 due to TGFBR2 mutation) and 23, age‐ and sex‐matched children with DCD (group 2). All underwent 14 different psychometric tests exploring motor, cognitive, executive‐attentive, and emotional‐behavior features. In group 1, 30%, 22%, and 13% patients presented DCD (with or without dysgraphia), learning disabilities, and attention deficit‐hyperactivity disorder, respectively. None had cognitive delay. In group 2, 17% patients presented generalized JH and none had HCTDs. DCD children presented more motor and coordination troubles than HCTDs patients, while quality of life of children with HCTDs resulted more deteriorated due to somatic manifestations and behavioral traits. This study presents the full overview of neurodevelopmental attributes in HCTDs, and compares with standardized tools the neurodevelopmental profile of children with DCD and HCTDs. While the high rate of neurodevelopmental comorbidities in HCTDs deserves attention, the impact of a dysfunctional connective tissue in children with a primary diagnosis of DCD needs more research.     

Factors affecting quality of life in children and adolescents with hypermobile Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome/hypermobility spectrum disorders

Hypermobile Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is a hereditary disorder of connective tissue, often presenting with complex symptoms can include chronic pain, fatigue, and dysautonomia. Factors influencing functional disability in the pediatric hEDS population are incompletely studied. This study's aims were to assess factors that affect quality of life in children and adolescents with hEDS. Individuals with hEDS between the ages 12–20 years and matched parents were recruited through retrospective chart review at two genetics clinics. Participants completed a questionnaire that included the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL?), PedsQL Multidimentional Fatigue Scale, Functional Disability Inventory, Pain‐Frequency‐Severity‐Duration Scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, measures of anxiety and depression, and helpful interventions. Survey responses were completed for 47 children and adolescents with hEDS/hypermobility spectrum disorder (81% female, mean age 16 years), some by the affected individual, some by their parent, and some by both. Clinical data derived from chart review were compared statistically to survey responses. All outcomes correlated moderately to strongly with each other. Using multiple regression, general fatigue and pain scores were the best predictors of the PedsQL total score. Additionally, presence of any psychiatric diagnosis was correlated with a lower PedsQL score. Current management guidelines recommend early intervention to prevent disability from deconditioning; these results may help identify target interventions in this vulnerable population.     

Visceroptosis of the bowel in the hypermobility type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: Presentation of a rare manifestation and review of the literature

Gastrointestinal complications are common in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, affecting up to 50% of individuals depending on the subtype. The spectrum of gastrointestinal manifestations is broad and ranges from life threatening spontaneous perforation of the visceral organs to a more benign functional symptoms. Here we describe the clinical and radiographic manifestations of visceroptosis of the bowel, a rare complication of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that is characterized by prolapse of abdominal organs below their natural position. We further review the literature on gastrointestinal complications in the different forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.     

Clinical,morphological, and biochemical phenotype of a new case of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type VIIC

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) type VIIC is a newly recognized human disorder which results from failure to remove the amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen. Four cases of EDS type VIIC have been reported, and here we describe a fifth case. The propositus was a 1,445 g male infant born at 30 weeks of gestation following premature rupture of membranes. He had wide fontanelles, prominent eyes with swollen eyelids and blue sclerae, anteverted nostrils, micrognathia, umbilical hernia, short stubby fingers, and cutis laxa with hirsutism. At age 3 months, during the repair of the umbilical hernia, he was noted to have unusual skin fragility. Examination of skin by scanning electron microscopy showed frayed collagen fibrils, and transmission electron microscopy showed the hieroglyphic collagen fibril morphology characteristic of the disorder. As reported in other cases, cultured fibroblasts synthesized type I procollagen that was very poorly processed at the amino-terminal propeptide cleavage site. The 5 known cases of human EDS type VIIC characterize a distinct clinical phenotype, making this condition recognizable at birth before manifestation of severe skin fragility. The diagnosis can be confirmed by biochemical studies of type I procollagen synthesis and by electron microscopic examination of skin. Am. J. Med. Genet. 68:25–28, 1997 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Three arginine to cysteine substitutions in the pro-alpha (I)-collagen chain cause Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with a propensity to arterial rupture in early adulthood

Mutations in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes, encoding the proalpha1 and 2 chains of type I collagen, cause osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) arthrochalasis type. Although the majority of missense mutations in the collagen type I triple helix affect glycine residues in the Gly-Xaa-Yaa repeat, few nonglycine substitutions have been reported. Two arginine-to-cysteine substitutions in the alpha1(I)-collagen chain are associated with classic EDS [R134C (p.R312C)] or autosomal dominant Caffey disease with mild EDS features [R836C (p.R1014C)]. Here we show alpha1(I) R-to-C substitutions in three unrelated patients who developed iliac or femoral dissection in early adulthood. In addition, manifestations of classic EDS in Patient 1 [c.1053C>T; R134C (p.R312C); X-position] or osteopenia in Patients 2 [c.1839C>T; R396C (p.R574C); Y-position] and 3 [c.3396C>T; R915C (p.R1093C); Y-position] are seen. Dermal fibroblasts from the patients produced disulfide-bonded alpha1(I)-dimers in approximately 20% of type I collagen, which were efficiently secreted into the medium in case of the R396C and R915C substitution. Theoretical stability calculations of the collagen type I heterotrimer and thermal denaturation curves of monomeric mutant alpha1(I)-collagen chains showed minor destabilization of the collagen helix. However, dimers were shown to be highly unstable. The R134C and R396C caused delayed procollagen processing by N-proteinase. Ultrastructural findings showed collagen fibrils with variable diameter and irregular interfibrillar spaces, suggesting disturbed collagen fibrillogenesis. Our findings demonstrate that R-to-C substitutions in the alpha1(I) chain may result in a phenotype with propensity to arterial rupture in early adulthood. This broadens the phenotypic range of nonglycine substitutions in collagen type I and has important implications for genetic counseling and follow-up of patients carrying this type of mutation.