1.Advances in Dravet syndrome
Shuyao CHEN ; Guizhi XIA ; Xiaojing NIE
International Journal of Pediatrics 2023;50(2):112-116
Dravet syndrome is a rare and severe developmental epileptic encephalopathy with variable clinical phenotypes.Dravet syndrome is difficult to diagnose and treat, and related comorbidities have a profound impact on the long-term quality of life of patients and their parents.SCN1A is the main pathogenic gene of Dravet syndrome, and SCN1A mutations are found in more than 85% of the patients.In recent years, with the development of genetic testing technology and the accumulation of cases, the understanding of the characteristics of epileptic seizures, comorbidities and SCN1A gene mutation characteristics in Dravet syndrome has gradually deepened.In addition to conventional antiepileptic drugs, new antiepileptic drugs(cannabidiol, fenfluramine)have also shown good antiepileptic effects and are expected to become second-line drugs for the treatment of Dravet syndrome seizures.This article mainly reviews the research progress of unique clinical phenotype, SCN1A gene mutation characteristics and new antiepileptic drugs of Dravet syndrome, in order to deepen clinicians′ understanding of the disease.
2.Research progress of voltage-gated Calcium channel gene mutations associated with epilepsy in children
Shuyao CHEN ; Guizhi XIA ; Xiaojing NIE
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2023;38(2):154-157
Abnormal expression and dysfunction of voltage-gated Calcium channels (VGCCs) can give rise to a variety of neurological disorders in children, including epilepsy, migraine and ataxia.In the past, only CACNA1A, CACNA1H, CACNA2D2 and CACNB4 were considered associated with epilepsy in children.In recent years, an increasing number of VGCCs gene associated with epilepsy in children have been found, especially developmental and epileptic encephalopathy genes.This study aims to review the research progress of VGCCs gene mutations associated with epilepsy in children.
3.NPHP1 knockdown induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells
Huajuan TONG ; 福建医科大学福州总医院儿科 ; Liangzhong SUN ; Lu LIU ; Huamu CHEN ; Haiyan WANG ; Xiaoyan LI ; Ting LIU ; Zhihui YUE
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2017;33(10):781-787
Objective To explore the impacts of NPHP1 knockdown on the phenotype of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Methods The expression of NPHP1 in MDCK cells was knockdown by siRNA interference. Cells were divided into normal control group, negative control group and siRNA group. The cellular morphology and migration were observed by light microscope. The mRNA expressions and activities of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 (MMP2 and MMP9) were detected by real time PCR and gelatin zymography. The mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin, β-catenin, zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), ZO-1-associated nucleic acid binding protein (ZONAB) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were analyzed by real time PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Results Compared with those in normal control group, in siRNA group the mRNA expressions of E-cadherin, β-catenin and ZO-1 decreased, and MMP9, MMP2, α-SMA and ZONAB increased after interfering NPHP124 h (all P<0.05); the protein expressions of E-cadherin,β-catenin and ZO-1 decreased and ZONAB and α-SMA increased after 48 h (all P<0.05), and MDCK cells became elongated with enhanced migration capacity; siRNA cells had decreased expressions of E-cadherin and β-catenin on the membrane, but increased expression of ZONAB in cytoplasm and nucleoplasm after 72 h, and α-SMA was also observed in some interfered cells. Conclusions NPHP1 knockdown induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MDCK cells, and ZO-1/ZONAB signaling pathway was activated. These changes may associate with renal interstitial fibrosis of Nephronophthisis type I.