Objectives: It is unclear whether G protein-coupled receptor 61 (GPR61) affecting body weight, plays a role in the association between birth weight and weather. This study aimed to assess the effects of prenatal weather and GPR61 on birth weight. Methods: A total of 567 mother-newborn pairs were recruited in Houzhai Center Hospital during 2011-2012. We detected the maternal and neonatal GPR61 promoter methylation levels, and obtained meteorological and air pollution data. Results: A positive association was observed between maternal and neonatal GPR61 methylation levels, and both of them were affected by precipitation, relative humidity (RH) and daily temperature range (DTR). Birth weight was associated negatively with RH and positively with DTR ( P < 0.05). A significant association was observed between birth weight and neonatal GPR61 methylation. We observed that maternal GPR61 methylation seemed to modify associations between weather and birth weight ( P _interaction < 0.10), while neonatal GPR61 methylation mediated the effects of RH and DTR on birth weight ( P < 0.05). Conclusions Our findings revealed the significant associations among prenatal weather, GPR61 methylation and birth weight. Maternal GPR61 methylation may modify the susceptibility of birth weight to prenatal weather conditions, while neonatal GPR61 methylation may be a bridge of the effects of prenatal RH and DTR on birth weight.
Air Pollution/analysis* ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism* ; Temperature ; Weather

In the present study we investigated the changes in miRNA levels inhuman rhinovirus 16 (HRV16)-infected cells. A small RNA deep sequencing experiment was performed through next-generation sequencing. In total, 53 differentially expressed miRNAs were confirmed by RT-qPCR, including 37 known miRNAs and 16 novel miRNAs. Interaction networks between differentially expressed miRNAs and their targets were established by mirDIP and Navigator. The prediction results showed that QKI, NFAT5, BNC2, CELF2, LCOR, MBNL2, MTMR3, NFIB, PPARGC1A, RSBN1, TRPS1, WDR26, and ZNF148, which are associated with cellular differentiation and transcriptional regulation, were recognized by 12, 11, or 9 miRNAs. Many correlations were observed between transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulation of an miRNA and the expression levels of its target genes in HRV16-infected H1-HeLa cells.
CELF Proteins/metabolism* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HeLa Cells ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Non-Receptor ; Repressor Proteins/metabolism* ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Transcription Factors/metabolism*

Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a rare pediatric disease with major manifestations of olfactory dysfunction and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Five children (4 boys and 1 girl) with KS reported in this article were aged between 6 months and 19 years at the time when they attended the hospital. All the children had the clinical manifestation of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism; in addition, three children had olfactory dysfunction (two were found to have olfactory bulb dysplasia on magnetic resonance imaging), one had cleft lip and palate, and one had micropenis and cryptorchidism with right renal agenesis during infancy. All the five children had normal karyotype and their parents had normal clinical phenotypes. The uncle of one child had underdeveloped secondary sexual characteristics and olfactory disorder since childhood. High-throughput sequencing found two known heterozygous missense mutations in the FGFR1 gene, i.e., c.1097C>T(p.P366L) and c.809G>C(p.G270A), in two children. One child had a novel frameshift mutation, c.1877_1887/p.S627Tfs*6, in the KAL1 gene; this deletion mutation caused a frameshift in base sequence and produced truncated proteins, which led to a significant change in protein structure, and thus it was highly pathogenic. It is concluded that KS has great clinical and genetic heterogeneity and can be accompanied by incomplete dominant inheritance and that gene detection helps with the diagnosis of this disease.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Infant ; Kallmann Syndrome ; Male ; Mutation ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1 ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of histone acetylation/deacetylation imbalances on embryonic hearts of mice and its effect on key genes of planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway-Vangl2, Scrib and Rac1 in H9C2 cells.

METHODSForty pregnant C57/B6 mice were randomly assigned into three groups: blank group (n=10), vehicle group (n=10), and valproic acid (VPA)-treated group (n=20). In the VPA-treated group, VPA, a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, was administered to each individual dam intraperitoneally at a single dose of 700 mg/kg on embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5). The vehicle and blank groups received equivalent saline or no interventions, respectively. Dams were sacrificed on E15.5, and death rates of embryos were evaluated. Subsequently, embryonic hearts of survival fetus were removed to observe cardiac abnormalities by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. H9C2 cells were cultured and allotted to the blank, vehicle, and VPA-treated groups: the VPA treated group received VPA exposure at concentrations of 2.0, 4.0 and 8.0 mmol/L; the vehicle and blank groups received equivalent saline or no interventions, respectively. HDAC1-3 as well as Vangl2, Scrib and Rac1 mRNA and protein expression levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The total HDAC activity was analyzed by colorimetric assay.

RESULTSThe fetus mortality rate after VPA treatment was 31.7%, with a significantly higher rate of cardiac abnormalities in comparison with the controls (P<0.05). In comparison with the blank and vehicle groups, HDAC1 mRNA was significantly increased at various concentrations of VPA treatment at all time points of exposure (P<0.05), together with a reduction of protein level after 48 and 72 hours of exposure (P<0.05). The inhibition of HDAC2 mRNA after various concentrations of VPA incubation was pronounced at 24 hours of exposure (P<0.05), while the protein levels were reduced at all time points (P<0.05). HDAC3 mRNA was prominently induced by VPA (4.0 and 8.0 mmol/L) at all time points of treatment (P<0.05). In contrast, the protein level was inhibited after VPA treatment (P<0.05). In comparison with the blank and vehicle groups, Vangl2 mRNA as well as Scrib mRNA/protein expression levels were markedly reduced after 48 and 72 hours of VPA treatment (P<0.05), together with a reduction of protein level in Vangl2 at 72 hours (P<0.05). Compared with the blank and vehicle groups, a significant repression in the total HDAC activity was observed in the VPA-treated group at concentrations of 4.0 and 8.0 mmol/L after 24 hours of treatment (P<0.05), and the effect persisted up to 48 and 72 hours, exhibiting pronounced inhibition at all concentrations (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVPA might result in acetylation/deacetylation imbalances by inhibiting HDAC1-3 protein expression and total HDAC activity, leading to the down-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of Vangl2 and Scrib. This could be one of the mechanisms contributing to congenital heart disease.

Acetylation ; Animals ; Cell Polarity ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Heart ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; etiology ; Histone Deacetylase 1 ; genetics ; Histone Deacetylase 2 ; genetics ; Histones ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Valproic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with dentatorubro-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA).

METHODSDNA analysis for DRPLA gene was performed in two patients. Clinical features and genetic testing of Chinese DRPLA patients reported in the literature were reviewed in terms of initial symptoms, CAG repeat and age of onset.

RESULTSBoth families were confirmed by genetic analysis. In family 1, the number of CAG repeat in the proband, his brother and his mother was determined respectively as 8/65, 8/53 and 8/18. In family 2, the number of CAG repeat was respectively 13/63, 13/18, 18/52 and 13/13 in the proband, his brother, his father and his mother. The size of the expanded CAG repeats has inversely correlated with the age at onset (P<0.05, r=- 0.555). The age at onset of epilepsy was 10 and that for the onset of ataxia is forty years in initial symptom.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical characteristics of DRPLA include epilepsy, ataxia and cognitive impairment. The initial symptoms are epilepsy in adolescence and ataxia in adults. The size of expanded CAG repeats inversely correlates with the age at onset. The initial symptoms are different with different age of onset. It is difficult to diagnose DRPLA at an early stage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atrophy ; genetics ; Basal Ganglia Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dentate Gyrus ; pathology ; Family Health ; Female ; Globus Pallidus ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo confirm the genetic diagnosis of two patients with ring chromosome 22 syndrome and investigate the mechanism underlying the formation of r(22) and potential genetic causes for the clinical phenotypes.

METHODSCytogenetic and molecular analyses using standard G-banding, fluorescence in situ hybridization and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) were performed.

RESULTSFor case 1, the karyotype was 46,XY,r(22)(p11q13). SNP array has identified a 7.0 Mb heterozygous deletion at 22q13.2q13.33. For case 2, the karyotype was 46,XY,r(22)(p11q13)[84]/45,XY,-22[6]; SNP array has detected a heterozygous microdeletion of 1.6 Mb at 22q13.33.

CONCLUSIONWith combined application of genetic testing, 2 cases of r(22) syndrome were diagnosed, which has improved the understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation of r(22).

Child, Preschool ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Ring Chromosomes

OBJECTIVETo screen potential mutations of PRRT2 gene in a Chinese family affected with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD).

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing and restriction endonuclaese analysis were used to analyze all members of the family.

RESULTSA heterozygous mutation c.649dupC was identified in the PRRT2 gene in all patients, while no similar mutation was found in healthy members from the family.

CONCLUSIONThe c.649dupC mutation of the PRRT2 gene probably underlies the PKD in this family. Prenatal diagnosis can reduce the risk for further birth of affected children for this family.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dystonia ; genetics ; Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Young Adult

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-mediated therapy has been shown to be clinically effective in regenerating tissue defects. For improved regenerative therapy, it is critical to isolate homogenous populations of MSCs with high capacity to differentiate into appropriate tissues. The utilization of stem cell surface antigens provides a means to identify MSCs from various tissues. However, few surface markers that consistently isolate highly regenerative MSCs have been validated, making it challenging for routine clinical applications and making it all the more imperative to identify reliable surface markers. In this study, we used three surface marker combinations: CD51/CD140α, CD271, and STRO-1/CD146 for the isolation of homogenous populations of dental mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) from heterogeneous periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis revealed that 24% of PDLCs were CD51(+)/CD140α(+), 0.8% were CD271(+), and 2.4% were STRO-1(+)/CD146(+). Sorted cell populations were further assessed for their multipotent properties by inducing osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. All three subsets of isolated DMSCs exhibited differentiation capacity into osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages but with varying degrees. CD271(+) DMSCs demonstrated the greatest osteogenic potential with strong induction of osteogenic markers such as DLX5, RUNX2, and BGLAP. Our study provides evidence that surface marker combinations used in this study are sufficient markers for the isolation of DMSCs from PDLCs. These results provide important insight into using specific surface markers for identifying homogenous populations of DMSCs for their improved utilization in regenerative medicine.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; analysis ; Adult ; Aggrecans ; analysis ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, Surface ; analysis ; CD146 Antigen ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Lineage ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrogenesis ; physiology ; Collagen Type II ; analysis ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; analysis ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Homeodomain Proteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Integrin alphaV ; analysis ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis ; Osteogenesis ; physiology ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; analysis ; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; analysis ; Time Factors ; Transcription Factors ; analysis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising tool in regenerative medicine due to their capacity to differentiate into multiple lineages. In addition to MSCs isolated from bone marrow (BMSCs), adult MSCs are isolated from craniofacial tissues including dental pulp tissues (DPs) using various stem cell surface markers. However, there has been a lack of consensus on a set of surface makers that are reproducibly effective at isolating putative multipotent dental mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs). In this study, we used different combinations of surface markers (CD51/CD140α, CD271, and STRO-1/CD146) to isolate homogeneous populations of DMSCs from heterogeneous dental pulp cells (DPCs) obtained from DP and compared their capacity to undergo multilineage differentiation. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting revealed that 27.3% of DPCs were CD51(+)/CD140α(+), 10.6% were CD271(+), and 0.3% were STRO-1(+)/CD146(+). Under odontogenic conditions, all three subsets of isolated DMSCs exhibited differentiation capacity into odontogenic lineages. Among these isolated subsets of DMSCs, CD271(+) DMSCs demonstrated the greatest odontogenic potential. While all three combinations of surface markers in this study successfully isolated DMSCs from DPCs, the single CD271 marker presents the most effective stem cell surface marker for identification of DMSCs with high odontogenic potential. Isolated CD271(+) DMSCs could potentially be utilized for future clinical applications in dentistry and regenerative medicine.
Adult ; Adult Stem Cells ; cytology ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, Surface ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; CD146 Antigen ; analysis ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cell Lineage ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrogenesis ; physiology ; Dental Pulp ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Integrin alphaV ; analysis ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Multipotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis ; Odontogenesis ; physiology ; Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha ; analysis ; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene mutation in patients with paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD).

METHODClinical information was collected at Peking University First Hospital from January 2004 to July 2014. In total, 10 patients with PKD were recruited, and all were males. Among them, four patients were the probands from four PKD families and the other six patients were sporadic cases. Clinical information was analyzed. Peripheral blood samples for DNA study were collected from PKD patients and their family members. Genomic DNA was extracted using standard procedures. Mutation analysis of PRRT2 was performed by Sanger sequencing after PCR.

RESULTOf the 10 patients, the median age of dyskinesias onset was 10 years, ranging from 4 to 13 years. The description of their attacks were abnormal involuntary movements provoked by sudden movements, without loss of consciousness. Five patients exhibited dystonia, two patients exhibited choreoathetosis, and three patients had mixed (dystonia and choreoathetosis) dyskinesias. The duration of the attacks lasted for 3 to 30 seconds. The frequency ranged from once per month to twenty times per day. PRRT2 mutations, c. 649_650insC (p. R217PfsX8), were found in all the four PKD families. Mutation c. 649_650insC was also detected in two of the six sporadic PKD cases, inheriting from their asymptomatic mother.

CONCLUSIONThe onset age of PKD could be in the early childhood. The clinical features of the familial cases and sporadic cases showed no difference. The attacks manifested as dystonia, choreathetosis, or mixed. PRR2 mutations could be identified in familial or sporadic cases with PKD. Mutation c. 649_650insC is the hotspot mutation of PRRT2 gene.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dystonia ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics