A novel SRY missense mutation affecting nuclear import in a 46,XY female patient with bilateral gonadoblastoma

Patients with disorders of sex development (DSD), especially those with gonadal dysgenesis and hypovirilization, are at risk of developing the so-called type II germ cell tumors (GCTs). Both carcinoma in situ and gonadoblastoma (GB) can be the precursor lesion, resulting in a seminomatous or non-seminomatous invasive cancer. SRY mutations residing in the HMG domain are found in 10–15% of 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis cases. This domain contains two nuclear localization signals (NLSs). In this study, we report a unique case of a phenotypical normal woman, diagnosed as a patient with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis, with an NLS missense mutation, on the basis of the histological diagnosis of a unilateral GB. The normal role of SRY in gonadal development is the upregulation of SOX9 expression. The premalignant lesion of the initially removed gonad was positive for OCT3/4, TSPY and stem cell factor in germ cells, and for FOXL2 in the stromal component (ie, granulosa cells), but not for SOX9. On the basis of these findings, prophylactical gonadectomy of the other gonad was performed, also showing a GB lesion positive for both FOXL2 (ovary) and SOX9 (testis). The identified W70L mutation in the SRY gene resulted in a 50% reduction in the nuclear accumulation of the mutant protein compared with wild type. This likely explains the diminished SOX9 expression, and therefore the lack of proper Sertoli cell differentiation during development. This case shows the value of the proper diagnosis of human GCTs in identification of patients with DSD, which allows subsequent early diagnosis and prevention of the development of an invasive cancer, likely to be treated by chemotherapy at young age.     

Clinical,cytogenetic, and molecular findings in 45,X/47,XX,+18 mosaicism: Clinical report and review of the literature

We report cytogenetic and molecular findings performed in a patient with double mosaic aneuploidy. Chromosome analysis of amniotic fluid cells from a 17‐week‐old fetus was performed because of advanced maternal age. Two karyotypes were detected: 45,X and 47,XX,+18 (50:50%). The same cell lines were determined in uncultured and cultured amniocytes of a second amniotic fluid sample, in fetal lymphocytes, and in uncultured and cultured cells of achilles tendon by conventional cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In the different investigated tissues, the percentage of cells with 45,X karyotype ranged from 20–99% and the percentage of cells with 47,XX,+18 ranged from 1–80%. The pregnancy was terminated at 22 + 0 weeks because of a severe cardiac malformation. Pathologic examination showed a fetus with aspects typical for manifestation of trisomy 18 and monosomy X, especially in the internal organs. The parent and cell stage of origin was determined by short tandem repeat typing and revealed a maternal meiotic division error that led to trisomy 18, as well as a somatic loss of a paternal sex chromosome. Only two other patients with the same mosaicism have been reported so far. Genetic counseling and prognosis remains challenging. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Submicroscopic unbalanced translocation resulting in del10p/dup13q detected by subtelomere FISH

Chromosomal rearrangements involving the (sub)telomeres are an important cause of human genetic diseases: with the development of advanced molecular cytogenetic methods they have been identified as a major cause of mental retardation and/or congenital malformation syndromes. We identified a cryptic unbalanced de novo translocation 10p/13q by subtelomere FISH in a boy with mental and growth retardation (karyotype: 46,XY,der(10)t(10;13)(p15.1;q34)(D10S2488–,D13S296+)). Craniofacial dysmorphisms included frontal bossing, epicanthal folds, long philtrum, thin upper lip, short nose, mild retrognathy and a flat midface. In addition the patient had ASDII, a pyloric stenosis, bilateral inguinal hernias and cryptorchidism. His psychomotor development was significantly delayed. Microsatellite typing revealed the paternal origin of the two chromosomes involved in the rearrangement. By comparing our case with previously published patients with similar aberrations we conclude that the congenital malformations in our case are associated with the partial 10p deletion. The craniofacial features might be attributed to the 13q duplication. The identification of a 10p/13q translocation in our case highlights the importance of searching for cryptic subtelomeric imbalances in mentally retarded patients and helps to further delineate genotype–phenotype correlations in rare chromosomal disturbances.     

Global DNA methylation in fetal human germ cells and germ cell tumours: association with differentiation and cisplatin resistance

Differences in the global methylation pattern, ie hyper‐ as well as hypo‐methylation, are observed in cancers including germ cell tumours (GCTs). Related to their precursor cells, GCT methylation status differs according to histology. We investigated the methylation pattern of normal fetal, infantile, and adult germ cells (n = 103) and GCTs (n = 251) by immunohistochemical staining for 5‐ cytidine. The global methylation pattern of male germ cells changes from hypomethylation to hypermethylation, whereas female germ cells remain unmethylated at all stages. Undifferentiated GCTs (seminomas, intratubular germ cell neoplasia unclassified, and gonadoblastomas) are hypomethylated, whereas more differentiated GCTs (teratomas, yolk sac tumours, and choriocarcinomas) show a higher degree of methylation. Embryonal carcinomas show an intermediate pattern. Resistance to cisplatin was assessed in the seminomatous cell line TCam‐2 before and after demethylation using 5‐azacytidine. Exposure to 5‐azacytidine resulted in decreased resistance to cisplatin. Furthermore, after demethylation, the stem cell markers NANOG and POU5F1 (OCT3/4), as well as the germ cell‐specific marker VASA, showed increased expression. Following treatment with 5‐azacytidine, TCam‐2 cells were analysed using a high‐throughput methylation screen for changes in the methylation sites of 14 000 genes. Among the genes revealing changes, interesting targets were identified: ie demethylation of KLF11, a putative tumour suppressor gene, and hypermethylation of CFLAR, a gene previously described in treatment resistance in GCTs. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Clinical and genetic analysis of Korean patients with Marfan syndrome: possible ethnic differences in clinical manifestation

Yoo E‐H, Woo H, Ki C‐S, Lee HJ, Kim D‐K, Kang I‐S, Park P, Sung K, Lee CS, Chung T‐Y, Moon JR, Han H, Lee S‐T, Kim J‐W. Clinical and genetic analysis of Korean patients with Marfan syndrome: possible ethnic differences in clinical manifestation. Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of the fibrous connective tissue caused by mutations in the fibrillin‐1 (FBN1) gene. Although clinical and genetic analyses have been performed in various populations, there have been few studies in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic background of Korean patients with MFS. In 39 Korean patients with MFS who met the Ghent criteria, the most common clinical finding was aortic dilatation and/or dissection (94.9%), whereas only 35.9% of patients had ectopia lentis. The majority of MFS patients had fewer than four of the skeletal findings required to fulfill the major skeletal Ghent criterion for MFS. Only 21% of Korean patients had major skeletal abnormalities and most cases showed only minor skeletal involvement. FBN1 gene mutations were detected in 35 out of 39 patients (89.7%), which is similar to rates presented in the previous reports. These results suggest that some clinical features in Korean patients with MFS differed from those reported in Western MFS patients.     

Primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is a nonexisting disease: an immunohistochemical and molecular biological analysis

Almost all primary retroperitoneal liposarcomas can be classified as well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Rarely, however, primary retroperitoneal liposarcoma is classified as myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, based on the presence of myxoid areas and vascular crow's feet pattern, which has resulted in a debate on the classification of liposarcoma in the retroperitoneum. Genetically, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma and well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma are different diseases. Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is characterized by a translocation causing FUS-CHOP or EWSR1-CHOP fusion, whereas well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma is characterized by an amplification of the 12q13-15 region, including MDM2 and CDK4 genes. As myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is highly radio- and chemosensitive, differentiation between subtypes is important to optimize treatment. We studied whether primary retroperitoneal liposarcomas diagnosed as myxoid/round cell liposarcoma represent molecularly true myxoid/round cell liposarcoma or are histopathological mimics and represent well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (n=16) were compared to primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (n=20). Histopathological and immunohistochemical features were studied. Amplification status of the 12q13-15 region was studied using a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis, and FUS-CHOP or EWS-CHOP translocations were studied using RT-PCR. In primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, MDM2 and CDK4 staining was both positive in 12 of 15 cases. In primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, MDM2 was negative in 18/20 and CDK4 was negative in all cases. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification showed the amplification of 12q13-15 region in 16/16 primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcomas and in 1/20 primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcomas. Translocation was present in all (18/18) primary extremity myxoid/round cell liposarcomas, but absent in all primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcomas. On the basis of immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics, apparent primary retroperitoneal myxoid/round cell liposarcoma can be recognized as well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma with morphological features mimicking myxoid/round cell liposarcoma. In these cases, treatment should probably be specifically designed as for well-/dedifferentiated liposarcoma. Moreover, finding of myxoid/round cell liposarcoma translocations in a retroperitoneal localization is highly suggestive of metastasis and should prompt search for a primary localization outside the retroperitoneum.     

Monitoring human tumor response to therapy by means of P-31 MR spectroscopy

Tumors in 23 patients were studied by means of in vivo phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. In five patients, the response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy was monitored in a long-term follow-up study. In one patient, the P-31 MR spectra were recorded during the infusion of chemotherapeutic drugs. In comparison with healthy muscle tissue of patients, the tumors showed elevated inorganic phosphate, phosphomonoester, and phosphodiester peaks and reduced creatine phosphate peaks, whereas the nucleoside 5'-triphosphate levels remained nearly unchanged. Tumor treatment resulted in changes in the ratio of the signal intensity value of creatine phosphate to that of inorganic phosphate and in the sum of these values. In an osteosarcoma, an initial response followed by renewed tumor growth was clearly indicated by changes in these parameters. In the short-term follow-up examination, slight spectral changes were observed during the infusion of chemotherapeutic drugs. Changes in the concentrations of phosphorus metabolites during therapy can therefore be monitored in human tumors by means of P-31 MR spectroscopy.