An in vitro model to evaluate the properties of matrices produced by fibroblasts from osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patients

Aim of the studyOsteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers Danlos syndrome are hereditary disorders caused primarily by defective collagen regulation. Osteogenesis imperfecta patients were divided to haploinsufficient and dominant negative depending on the effect of COL1A1 and COL1A2 mutations whereas Ehlers Danlos syndrome patients had a mutation in PLOD1. Although collagen abnormalities have been extensively studied in monolayer cultures, there are no reports about 3D in vitro models which may reflect more accurately the dynamic cell environment. This is the first study presenting the structural and mechanical characterization of a 3D cell-secreted model using primary patient fibroblasts.Materials and methodsFibroblasts from patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and Ehlers Danlos syndrome were cultured with ascorbic acid for 5 weeks. The effect of mutations on cytosolic and secreted collagen was tested by electrophoresis following incubation with radiolabeled ¹⁴C proline. Extracellular matrix was studied in terms of collagen fiber orientation, stiffness, as well as glycosaminoglycan and collagen content.Results and conclusionsOsteogenesis imperfecta patients with haploinsufficient mutations had higher percentage of anisotropic collagen fibers alignment compared to other patient groups; all patients had a lower percentage of anisotropic samples compared to healthy controls. This correlated with higher average stiffness in the control group. Glycosaminoglycan content was lower in the control and haploinsufficient groups. In cells with PLOD1 mutations, there were no differences in PLOD2 expression. This proof of concept study was able to show differences in collagen fiber orientation between different patient groups which can potentially pave the way towards the development of 3D models aiming at improved investigation of disease mechanisms.     

A case of Ehlers Danlos syndrome type VI

Ehlers Danlos type VI is a rare autosomal recessive connective tissue disease involving primarily the skin and joints. The main feature of the condition is neonatal hypotonia and rare complications are ruptures of arteries and the eye globe. A 4 year old girl with a typical clinical presentation and molecular diagnosis of EDS VI is presented. Sequencing of PLOD1 gene revealed a homozygous deletion in exon 13 (c.1362delC), leading to a frameshift and truncation of the lysyl hydroxylase, an enzyme necessary for collagen biosynthesis. Early diagnosis allowed treatment with high doses of ascorbic acid in order to prevent complications, genetic counseling of the family and prenatal diagnosis of an unaffected embryo.     

Diversity and Prevalence of Hereditary Diseases among Nogais of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic

The diversity and prevalence of hereditary diseases (HDs) among Nogais of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (KChR) are described. The size of the surveyed KChR population was 387231 individuals, including 3.81% Nogais (14741 individuals). We revealed 36 nosological forms of HDs (110 patients from 81 families): 22 with autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance, 10 with autosomal recessive (AR) inheritance, and 4 with X-linked inheritance. The prevalence of HDs in Nogais was 1: 134. The features of HD diversity in Nogais were determined in comparison with the previously surveyed populations of Russia. The accumulation of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (1: 388), AD amelogenesis imperfecta (1: 3685), AD ichthyosis (1: 4914), AR nonsyndromic mental retardation (1: 1340), AR Gilbert syndrome (1: 4914), and X-linked inherited deficit of glucose-6-dehydrogenase (1: 1774 males) was established. The analysis of heterozygous carriage of mutations “major” for Russia in the genes of the four following AR diseases in 118 unrelated clinically healthy Nogais (236 analyzed chromosomes) was performed: cystic fibrosis (13 mutations in the CFTR gene: CFTRdele2,3 (21 kb), F508del, I507del, 1677delTA, 2184insA, 2143delT, 2183AA>G, 2184delA, 394delTT, 3821delT, L138ins, E92K, W1282X); phenylketonuria (six frequent mutations in the PAH gene: R261X, R408W, R413P, F331S, P211T, P211L); nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss (35delG mutation in the GJB2 gene); and Gilbert syndrome (an increase in the number of TA repeats in the UGT1A1 gene). Allelic specificity for all studied genes in the Nogai people was revealed.     

Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: A showcase of conditions that lead to understanding matrix biology

The Ehlers–Danlos syndromes (EDS) are genetically and clinically diverse disorders in which affected individuals share a number of physical characteristics, including joint hypermobility, skin extensibility, and tissue friability. Clinical investigations opened the door to identifying the biochemical and molecular etiologies of this diverse but overlapping group of disorders. In this article, we provide an overview of how these disorders inform our understanding of matrix biology, including the role of collagens (types I, III and V), proteoglycans and other proteins.     

Biglycan and decorin differentially regulate signaling in the fetal membranes

Preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn mortality in the United States and about one third of cases are caused by preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes, a complication that is frequently observed in patients with Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome. Notably, a subtype of Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome is caused by expression of abnormal biglycan and decorin proteoglycans. As compound deficiency of these two small leucine-rich proteoglycans is a model of preterm birth, we investigated the fetal membranes of Bgn^−/−; Dcn^−/− double-null and single-null mice. Our results showed that biglycan signaling supported fetal membrane remodeling during early gestation in the absence of concomitant changes in TGFβ levels. In late gestation, biglycan signaling acted in a TGFβ-dependent manner to aid in membrane stabilization. In contrast, decorin signaling supported fetal membrane remodeling at early stages of gestation in a TGFβ-dependent manner, and fetal membrane stabilization at later stages of gestation without changes in TGFβ levels. Furthermore, exogenous soluble decorin was capable of rescuing the TGFβ signaling pathway in fetal membrane mesenchymal cells. Collectively, these findings provide novel targets for manipulation of fetal membrane extracellular matrix stability and could represent novel targets for research on preventive strategies for preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes.     

X–linked Recessive Inheritance in the Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome

Two families are described in which the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is apparently transmitted as an X-linked recessive character. The results of tests for the Xg blood groups and for colour vision show that the locus for the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is not close to that for the Xg groups nor very close to the locus for deutan colour-blindness.The clinical features of this variety of the Ehlers–Danlos syndrome include considerable hyperextensibility of the skin and a bruising tendency.     

The Coffin syndrome

Summary Two brothers with Coffin syndrome are presented and the fifteen other cases available in the literature are reviewed. The molecular defect causing this clinically recognizable syndrome is unknown, and the mode of inheritance may be a sex-linked recessive, but a sex-limited autosomal dominant or autosomal dominant with variable degree of expression cannot be fully excluded at the present time.     

Molecular Genetic Causes and Clinical Description of Branchio-Oto-renal Syndrome

Russian Journal of Genetics - Branchio-oto-renal (BOR) syndrome is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by a combination of hearing impairment with preauricular pits, cervical fistulas or...     

Congenital alacrima in a patient with G (Opitz Frias) syndrome

Congenital alacrima is an autosomal dominant disorder showing markedly deficient lacrimation and punctate corneal epithelial erosions. The G (Opitz-Frias) syndrome is also an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by hypertelorism, hypospadias, stridor, and dysphagia. Here we report a 5-year-old boy with the G syndrome presenting congenital alacrima. Received: 23 August 1995 / Revised: 25 September 1995     

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,joint hypermobility-related disorders and pain: expanding body-mind connections to the developmental age

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and generalized joint hypermobility (JH) are two separated conditions, assessed, and managed by different specialists without overlapping interests. Recently, some researchers highlighted an unexpected association between these two clinical entities. This happens in a scenario of increasing awareness on the protean detrimental effects that congenital anomalies of the connective tissue may have on human health and development. To review pertinent literature to identify possible connections between ADHD and GJH, special emphasis was put on musculoskeletal pain and syndromic presentations of GJH, particularly the hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. A comprehensive search of scientific databases and references lists was conducted, encompassing publications based on qualitative and quantitative research. Impaired coordination and proprioception, fatigue, chronic pain, and dysautonomia are identified as potential bridges between ADHD and JH. Based on these findings, a map of the pathophysiological and psychopathological pathways connecting both conditions is proposed. Although ADHD and JH are traditionally separated human attributes, their association may testify for the dyadic nature of mind-body connections during critical periods of post-natal development. Such a mixed picture has potentially important consequences in terms of disability and deserves more clinical and research attention.     

Genetic linkage studies with cleft lip and palate: report of two family studies

Genetic linkage studies are reported on two families with cleft lip +/- cleft palate. For the first family (LP01) the etiology of the clefting is unknown, and the linkage analyses were done assuming both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance. Close linkage is rejected with the Duffy blood group under the dominant model and with four loci (Duffy, Kidd, and ABO blood groups and haptoglobin) under the recessive model. The second family (LP02) is a Mexican-American family segregating the van der Woude syndrome with lip pits. The linkage analyses for this autosomal dominant trait excluded close linkage with seven genetic markers, including three on chromosome one. The maximum lod scores were 0.6 with BF (chromosome 6) and 0.4 with the P blood group, which is not yet mapped.     

Genetic counseling in craniostenosis. Results of a prospective study performed with a group of studies on craniofacial malformations

Result of a family study based on 584 patients with craniostenosis brings some answers useful for genetic counselling. For 98 patients (15%) a syndrome is associated. Third part of them has Apert syndrome, an other third part has Crouzon syndrome, and for the last third more exceptional acrocephalosyndactyly syndrome (Saethre-Chotzen, Pfeiffer) or others atypical associations, sometimes not yet described, but with an autosomal dominant inheritance. Non syndromic craniostenosis involves differently according to the type of join, but the localization is the same if recurrence will be happen. Coronal craniostenosis seems to be a dominant autosomal character, when scaphocephaly is more often sporadic; for both, an autosomal dominant inheritance is not excluded for some pedigrees. If the recurrence risk exist in some cases, it is generally well accepted by parents on account of the good neurosurgeon prognosis.     

Floating-Harbor syndrome in two sisters: autosomal recessive inheritance or germinal mosaicism?

We describe the clinical histories and physical findings most compatible with the diagnosis of Floating-Harbor syndrome in two sisters. The genetic basis of the Floating-Harbor syndrome is still unclear, and family data are in favour of autosomal recessive inheritance although germinal mosaicism for an autosomal dominant gene mutation cannot be fully excluded.     

Genetic linkage analysis of the carpal tunnel syndrome

Two generations of a family with autosomal dominant carpal tunnel syndrome were studied for genetic linkage to 20 informative polymorphic blood markers. No linkage was demonstrated between the syndrome and the markers tested; exclusion of close linkage (lod score less than -2.0) was found for MNSs, ACP, GALT, GPT, GLO, Hp, Gc, and Pi.     

Localization of a multiple synostoses-syndrome disease gene to chromosome 17q21-22.

Multiple synostoses syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by premature onset of joint fusions, which initially affect the interphalangeal joints, by characteristic facies, and by deafness. We performed linkage analysis on a large Hawaiian family with multiple synostoses syndrome. Because another autosomal dominant disorder, proximal symphalangism, shares some clinical symptoms with multiple synostoses syndrome and has been linked to markers at loci at chromosome 17q21-22, we tested the hypothesis that multiple synostoses syndrome is linked to the same chromosomal region. Using polymorphic markers from the proximal symphalangism interval, we conducted linkage analysis and showed that the multiple synostoses-syndrome phenotype is linked to the same chromosomal region. A maximum LOD score of 3.98 at recombination fraction of .00 was achieved for the marker at locus D17S787. Further genetic analysis identified individuals with recombinant genotypes, allowing localization of the disease gene within the interval D17S931-D17S792, a 16-cM region. These data provide evidence that multiple synostoses syndrome and proximal symphalangism may be allelic disorders.     

Connective tissues: signalling by tenascins

Different connective tissue cells secrete different types of tenascins. These glycoproteins contribute to extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and influence the physiology of the cells in contact with the tenascin containing environment. Tenascin-C expression is regulated by mechanical stress. It shows highest expression in connective tissue surrounding tumors, in wounds and in inflamed tissues where it may regulate cell morphology, growth, and migration by activating diverse intracellular signalling pathways. Thus, integrin and syndecan signalling is influenced by tenascin-C and the levels and/or activies of several proteins involved in intracellular signalling pathways are regulated by its presence. Tenascin-X is important for the proper deposition of collagen fibers in dermis and patients with a tenascin-X deficiency suffer from Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Tenascin-R (and -C) is prominent in the nervous system and has an impact on neurite outgrowth and synaptic functions, and tenascin-W is found in the extracellular matrix of bone, muscle, and kidney. Cell facts:bone: osteoblasts produce tenascin-C, -W cartilage: perichondrial cells produce tenascin-C tendon: fibroblasts produce tenascin-C smooth muscle cells produce tenascin-W, -C skeletal muscle: endo-, peri-, and epimysial fibroblasts produce tenascin-X dermal fibroblasts produce tenascin-X tumors: stromal fibroblasts produce tenascin-C wounds: fibroblasts produce tenascin-C nervous system: glial cells produce tenascin-R, -C, -X.     

Tenascins

Tenascins are a family of large multimeric extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Vertebrates express four tenascins termed tenascin-C, -R, -X and -W present in their connective tissues. Each tenascin has a specific expression pattern. To the contrary of many other ECM proteins, tenascins promote only weak cell adhesion and do not activate cell spreading. They have been classified as anti-adhesive, adhesion-modulating or even repellent ECM proteins. Tenascin-C and tenascin-R deficient mice show abnormalities in the nervous system and tenascin-C deficient mice, in addition, have defects in several regenerative processes. Mice lacking tenascin-X display hyperelastic skin much like Ehlers Danlos patients with mutations in their tenascin-X gene. Since tenascin-C is highly overexpressed in tumor stroma antibodies against tenascin-C have been used in tumor diagnosis and therapy. Since tenascins are known to influence cell shape, migration and growth they represent good candidate molecules for inclusion in artificial bioengineered tissue implants.     

Male-to-male transmission of the velo-cardio-facial syndrome: a case report and review of 60 cases

The velo-cardio-facial syndrome is one of the most common syndromes of clefting. Previous reports have shown vertical pedigree transmission, but in all cases the gene was maternally transmitted. The genetics of this syndrome had been suspected as autosomal dominant, but X-linked dominant inheritance could not be ruled out. This report describes an instance of male-to-male transmission of the velo-cardio-facial syndrome. In addition, the clinical findings in 60 cases are reported to further delineate the phenotypic spectrum of the syndrome.