The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

With in-depth research and development of dermoscopy, the dermoscopic features including perifollicular pigments, perilesional pigments, pigment network structure, satellite phenomenon and "tapioca sago" appearance, micro-Koebner phenomenon and comet tail-like phenomenon have provided a basis for the evaluation of vitiligo activity. This review summarizes progress in the evaluation of vitiligo activity with dermoscopy in recent years, aiming to promote the application of dermoscopy in the assessment of vitiligo activity.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for child with congenital cataract. METHODS: The child was subjected to next-generation sequencing. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of his family members. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor novel heterozygous variants of c.855del and c.872dup of the GJA8 gene, which were inherited from his father and mother, respectively. Neither of these two variants has been reported. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, the c.855del and c.872dup variants were classified as likely pathogenic (PVS1_S+PM2+PP4) and pathogenic (PVS1_S+PM2+PM3+PP4), respectively. CONCLUSION The c.855del and c.872dup variants of the GJA8 gene probably underlay the congenital cataract in this patient.
Child ; Humans ; Cataract/congenital* ; Family ; Heterozygote ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Mutation ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a patient with tuberous sclerosis complex. METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from members of his family and 100 unrelated healthy controls. The proband was subjected to next-generation sequencing, and candidate variant was confirmed by multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and Sanger sequencing. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was carried out to determine the relative mRNA expression in the proband. RESULTS: The patient was found to harbor a c.2355+1G>C splicing variant of the TSC2 gene. Sequencing of cDNA confirmed that 62 bases have been inserted into the 3' end of exon 21, which has caused a frameshift producing a truncated protein. CONCLUSION The novel splicing variant c.2355+1G>C of the TSC2 gene probably underlay the TSC in the proband. Above finding has expanded the variant spectrum of TSC2 and provided a basis for preimplantation genetic testing and/or prenatal diagnosis.
Female ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pregnancy ; RNA Splicing/genetics* ; Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics* ; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein/genetics* ; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a pedigree affected with Nance-Horan syndrome. METHODS: Clinical manifestation of the patients was analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the pedigree members and 100 unrelated healthy controls. A panel of genes for congenital cataract was subjected to next-generation sequencing (NGS), and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis based on guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR). Linkage analysis based on short tandem repeats was carried out to confirm the consanguinity. RESULTS: A small insertional variant c.766dupC (p.Leu256Profs*21) of the NHS gene was identified in the proband and his affected mother, but not among unaffected members and the 100 healthy controls. The variant was unreported in Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD) and other databases. Based on the ACMG guideline, the variant is predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+PM2+PM6+PP4). CONCLUSION The novel variant c.766dupC of the NHS gene probably underlay the X-linked dominant Nance-Horan syndrome in this pedigree.
Cataract/genetics* ; Genetic Diseases, X-Linked ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; State Medicine ; Tooth Abnormalities

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a pedigree affected with Alport syndrome. METHODS: Next generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing was carried out to detect potential variant of the COL4A5 gene among members from the pedigree and 100 unrelated healthy controls. RESULTS: A novel missense c.3293G>T (p.Gly1098Val) variant was found in the COL4A5 gene among 6 affected members but not the unaffected members of the pedigree or the 100 healthy controls. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics standards and guidelines, the c.3293G>T variant was classified as pathogenic (PP1-strong+PM1+PM2+PP3+PP4). CONCLUSION By destructing the Gly-X-Y structure of its protein product, the c.3293G>T variant of the COL4A5 gene probably underlies the Alport syndrome in this pedigree. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of COL4A5 variants.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze variant of IDS gene in a pedigree affected with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II). METHODS: The proband was subjected to next generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing to identify potential variants. Suspected variant was analyzed by its co-segregation with the disease in the pedigree. Its impact on mRNA splicing was analyzed by using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: A hemizygous IVS1-3T>G variant was found in the IDS gene in the proband. RT-PCR results revealed two abnormal cDNA fragments of 600 bp and 300 bp. The 600 bp fragment had inserted 216 nucleotides at the 3' end of intron 1, while the 300 bp fragment had lost 109 nucleotides at the 5' end of exon 2, which resulted in two truncated proteins comprising 38 and 92 amino acids, respectively, instead of the normal product (550 amino acids). The proband and his mother were respectively hemizygous and heterozygous for the variant. The same variant was not found among 100 normal controls. CONCLUSION The IVS1-3T>G variant of the IDS gene probably underlies the MPS II in this pedigree by causing reduction or elimination of the IDS protein.

OBJECTIVE: To detect potential variants of MECP2 gene in three pedigrees affected with Rett syndrome (RTT). METHODS: All exons and their flanking regions of the MECP2 gene were subjected to Sanger sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay. RESULTS: The probands of pedigrees 1 and 2 have respectively carried a c.965C>G and a c.1157_1197del41 variant of the MECP2 gene, while the proband of pedigree 3 carried a heterozygous deletional variant in exon 4 of the MECP2 gene. CONCLUSION Variants of the MECP2 gene probably underlay the RTT in the three pedigrees. Above finding has enriched the spectrum of MECP2 gene variants, and provided a guidance for the patients upon preimplantation genetic testing and prenatal diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of single gene disease in two families.

METHODSPaternal mutation in cell-free DNA derived from the maternal blood and amniotic fluid DNA was detected by ddPCR. Suspected mutation in the amniotic fluid DNA was verified with Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSThe result of ddPCR and Sanger sequencing indicated that the fetuses have carried pathogenic mutations from the paternal side in both families.

CONCLUSIONDroplet digital PCR can accurately detect paternal mutation carried by the fetus, and it is sensitive and reliable for analyzing trace samples. This method may be applied for the diagnosis of single gene diseases caused by paternal mutation using peripheral blood sample derived from the mother.

Fathers ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Maternal Serum Screening Tests ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo detect mutations of the XPC (XPC complex subunit, DNA damage recognition and repair factor) gene in a family affected with xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XP-C).

METHODSThe patient was subjected to next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing. Suspected mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. Effect of splicing mutation was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompound heterozygous mutations of c.2098G to T and c.2034-7_2040del were found in the XPC gene in the proband. Among these, c.2098G to T (p.G700X) is a nonsense mutation resulting in a truncated XPC protein. C.2034-7_2040del involves the -1 position, which may alter the splice donor site of the intron 11 of XPC and result in a truncated XPC protein with loss of amino acids from 940 to 679 positions. The two mutations were not detected among 100 unrelated healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONMutations of c.2098 G to T and c.2034-7_2040del of the XPC gene may lead to abnormal XPC expression and reduction or elimination of normal XPC functions, which may underlie the disease in this family.