1.Clinical characteristics and genetic analysis of 22 Chinese pedigrees affected with Neurofibromatosis type I.
Bingjie HU ; Xianhong DING ; Yang LU ; Hongliang CHEN ; Shuaishuai CHEN ; Mengyi XU ; Yicheng FANG ; Bo SHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2026;43(1):19-30
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the genetic variants and phenotypic characteristics of patients with Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1).
METHODS:
Twenty two NF1 patients who presented at Enze Medical (Center) Group in Taizhou between 2018 and 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical phenotype and family history were collected for the patients. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out for the 22 probands to screen the variants of NF1 gene. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing of their family members. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Hospital (Ethics No.: K20230902).
RESULTS:
The 22 probands were diagnosed between the age of 5 months to 47 years old, and have all shown cafe au lait spots on their skin. Seventeen patients exhibited the phenotype at birth, and 11 had various degrees of neurofibromatosis. Among them, probands 1 and 13 underwent surgical resection of the tumor but had recurred, while proband 12 had amputation due to the huge size and serious impact of the neurofibroma and had no recurrence. Five patients had various degrees of scoliosis. In total 22 germline mutations and one somatic mutation were identified among the 22 families, with 5 variants unreported previously, including 1 nonsense mutation c.1603C>T (Q535*), 3 frameshift mutations [c.7268_7269delCA (Thr2423fs), c.2293del (Arg765Alafs*26), and c.5433_5438delinsGC (Phe1812ArgfsTer50)], and 1 deletion involving exons 41-44 of the NF1 gene and adjacent introns. Proband 13 was found to harbor germline mutation c.6796C>T (Gln2266Ter) and somatic mutation c.1019_1020del (Ser340Cysfs Ter12) in the peripheral blood and tumor tissue, respectively. Among the 22 NF1 probands, 6 had received treatment due to severe illness. Proband 1 had tumor resection in the right upper limb, but was found to have malignant lung tumor and died during follow-up. Proband 12 had multiple recurrence of neurofibroma in the left ring finger. Proband 4 underwent spinal correction surgery due to severe scoliosis. Proband 11 had died due to a central nervous system disease. Among the 22 germline mutations, 6 had led to the occurrence of truncated proteins, which may have a more severe impact on the phenotype.
CONCLUSION
This study investigated the genetic variants and clinical phenotypes of 22 NF1 families and identified 5 novel variants of the NF1 gene, which has expanded the genotypic and phenotypic spectra of the NF1. Preliminary studies have identified an association between truncated mutations, young age, and severe phenotypes, which may provide important clues for prognosis evaluation. For the clinical diagnosis and treatment of NF1, it is necessary to consider the phenotypic characteristics and genetic testing in combination with genetic counseling and long-term follow-up.
Humans
;
Neurofibromatosis 1/pathology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Pedigree
;
Adult
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Middle Aged
;
Adolescent
;
Infant
;
Young Adult
;
Neurofibromin 1/genetics*
;
Phenotype
;
Asian People/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Exome Sequencing
;
East Asian People
2.Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Bupi Qingfei Prescription in Treating Stable Bronchiectasis
Zi YANG ; Guangsen LI ; Bing WANG ; Bo XU ; Jianxin WANG ; Sheng CAO ; Xinyan CHEN ; Xia SHI ; Qing MIAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):162-169
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Bupi Qingfei prescription (BPQF) in treating stable bronchiectasis in the patients with syndromes of lung-spleen Qi deficiency and phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs. MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Patients were randomized into BPQF and placebo control (PC) groups. On the basis of conventional Western medicine treatment, the BPQF granules and placebo were respectively administered at 10 g each time, twice a day, for a course of 24 weeks. The TCM symptom scores, Quality of Life Questionnaire for Bronchiectasis (QOL-B) scores, lung function indicators, T lymphocyte subsets, level of inflammatory factors in the sputum, level of neutrophil elastase (NE) in the sputum, and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. ResultsA total of 64 patients completed the study, encompassing 32 in the BPQF group and 32 in the PC group. After treatment, the BPQF group showed decreased TCM symptom scores (P<0.01), increased QOL-B scores (P<0.01), and declined levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and NE (P<0.05, P<0.01). The PC group showed decreased TCM symptom (except spleen deficiency) scores (P<0.01), increased the QOL-B health cognition and respiratory symptom domain scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), and a declined TNF-α level (P<0.01). Moreover, the BPQF group had lower TCM symptom (except chest tightness) scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), higher QOL-B (except treatment burden) scores (P<0.05, P<0.01), and lower levels of interleukin-6 and TNF-α (P<0.05) than the PC group. Neither group showed serious adverse reactions during the treatment process. ConclusionBPQF can ameliorate the clinical symptoms of stable bronchiectasis patients who have lung-spleen Qi deficiency or phlegm-heat accumulation in the lungs by regulating the immune balance and inhibiting airway inflammatory responses.
3.Preparation and antibacterial properties of porcine small intestinal submucosal composite nanohydroxyapatite bioscaffold loaded with antimicrobial peptide KR-12-a5
Qiquan YAN ; Libin YANG ; Mengjun LI ; Yazhuo NI ; Keying CHEN ; Bo XU ; Yaoyang LI ; Shiqing MA ; Rui LI ; Jianwen LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):384-394
BACKGROUND:Bone tissue loss caused by tumors and trauma can have an adverse effect on postoperative rehabilitation.Therefore,scaffold materials are usually implanted during treatment.However,the existing implant materials are relatively simple and lack antibacterial properties.Early implantation may lead to iatrogenic autoinfection and have an adverse effect on osteogenesis.OBJECTIVE:To construct a KR-12-a5 polypeptide-nanohydroxyapatite-small intestinal submucosa composite scaffold and evaluate its feasibility as a material for promoting bone defect repair.METHODS:The small intestinal submucosa scaffold and the small intestinal submucosa scaffold containing 25,50,and 100 mg/mL nanohydroxyapatite(referred to as nHA-SIS scaffold)were prepared by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide cross-linking method.The appropriate scaffold was screened for subsequent experiments by mechanical property testing.The antibacterial properties of KR-12-a5 polypeptide solution against Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus gordonii,and Fusobacterium nucleatum were detected.The nHA-SIS scaffolds were immersed in 250,500,and 1 000 μg/mL KR-12-a5 peptide solutions for 24 hours,and then freeze-dried to obtain peptide-loaded nanohydroxyapatite-porcine small intestinal submucosa composite scaffolds(denoted as P-nHA-SIS scaffolds).The sustained-release properties of the three groups of scaffolds were characterized.The nHA-SIS scaffolds and the three groups of P-nHA-SIS scaffolds were co-cultured with Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus gordonii,and Fusobacterium nucleatum for 24 hours or 48 hours.The scaffolds with strong antibacterial ability were screened by live and dead bacteria staining and scanning electron microscopy for subsequent experiments.The degradation properties and water absorption rates of the uncross-linked small intestinal submucosa scaffolds,cross-linked small intestinal submucosa scaffolds,nHA-SIS scaffolds,and P-nHA-SIS scaffolds were characterized.The extracts of cross-linked small intestinal submucosal scaffolds,nHA-SIS scaffolds,and P-nHA-SIS scaffolds were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells.CCK-8 assay and live-dead cell staining were performed.The effects of the extracts of the three scaffolds on the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells were detected by Transwell chamber assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The elastic modulus and compressive strength of 25,50,and 100 mg/mL nHA-SIS scaffolds were higher than those of small intestinal submucosal scaffolds(P<0.05),among which the elastic modulus and compressive strength of 25 mg/mL nHA-SIS scaffolds were the highest,and this group of scaffolds were selected for subsequent experiments to load peptides.(2)KR-12-a5 peptide had strong antibacterial activity against common bacteria in bone defects(Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus gordonii,and Fusobacterium nucleatum).The three groups of P-nHA-SIS scaffolds all had sustained release properties.With the increase of peptide mass concentration,the antibacterial property of P-nHA-SIS scaffold was enhanced.Among them,the P-nHA-SIS scaffold loaded with 500 μg/mL peptide had achieved a satisfactory antibacterial effect,and this group of scaffolds would be selected in the future.(3)The degradation rate of the three groups of cross-linked scaffolds was lower than that of the uncross-linked scaffolds,and the water absorption rate was greater than that of the uncross-linked scaffolds.P-nHA-SIS scaffolds could promote the proliferation and migration of MC3T3-E1 cells without affecting the activity of MC3T3-E1 cells.(4)The results show that P-nHA-SIS scaffolds have strong antibacterial properties and the ability to promote the proliferation and migration of MC3T3-E1 cells,and are expected to be used in bone defect repair.
4.Preparation and antibacterial properties of porcine small intestinal submucosal composite nanohydroxyapatite bioscaffold loaded with antimicrobial peptide KR-12-a5
Qiquan YAN ; Libin YANG ; Mengjun LI ; Yazhuo NI ; Keying CHEN ; Bo XU ; Yaoyang LI ; Shiqing MA ; Rui LI ; Jianwen LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):384-394
BACKGROUND:Bone tissue loss caused by tumors and trauma can have an adverse effect on postoperative rehabilitation.Therefore,scaffold materials are usually implanted during treatment.However,the existing implant materials are relatively simple and lack antibacterial properties.Early implantation may lead to iatrogenic autoinfection and have an adverse effect on osteogenesis.OBJECTIVE:To construct a KR-12-a5 polypeptide-nanohydroxyapatite-small intestinal submucosa composite scaffold and evaluate its feasibility as a material for promoting bone defect repair.METHODS:The small intestinal submucosa scaffold and the small intestinal submucosa scaffold containing 25,50,and 100 mg/mL nanohydroxyapatite(referred to as nHA-SIS scaffold)were prepared by 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysuccinimide cross-linking method.The appropriate scaffold was screened for subsequent experiments by mechanical property testing.The antibacterial properties of KR-12-a5 polypeptide solution against Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus gordonii,and Fusobacterium nucleatum were detected.The nHA-SIS scaffolds were immersed in 250,500,and 1 000 μg/mL KR-12-a5 peptide solutions for 24 hours,and then freeze-dried to obtain peptide-loaded nanohydroxyapatite-porcine small intestinal submucosa composite scaffolds(denoted as P-nHA-SIS scaffolds).The sustained-release properties of the three groups of scaffolds were characterized.The nHA-SIS scaffolds and the three groups of P-nHA-SIS scaffolds were co-cultured with Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus gordonii,and Fusobacterium nucleatum for 24 hours or 48 hours.The scaffolds with strong antibacterial ability were screened by live and dead bacteria staining and scanning electron microscopy for subsequent experiments.The degradation properties and water absorption rates of the uncross-linked small intestinal submucosa scaffolds,cross-linked small intestinal submucosa scaffolds,nHA-SIS scaffolds,and P-nHA-SIS scaffolds were characterized.The extracts of cross-linked small intestinal submucosal scaffolds,nHA-SIS scaffolds,and P-nHA-SIS scaffolds were co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells.CCK-8 assay and live-dead cell staining were performed.The effects of the extracts of the three scaffolds on the migration of MC3T3-E1 cells were detected by Transwell chamber assay.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The elastic modulus and compressive strength of 25,50,and 100 mg/mL nHA-SIS scaffolds were higher than those of small intestinal submucosal scaffolds(P<0.05),among which the elastic modulus and compressive strength of 25 mg/mL nHA-SIS scaffolds were the highest,and this group of scaffolds were selected for subsequent experiments to load peptides.(2)KR-12-a5 peptide had strong antibacterial activity against common bacteria in bone defects(Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus gordonii,and Fusobacterium nucleatum).The three groups of P-nHA-SIS scaffolds all had sustained release properties.With the increase of peptide mass concentration,the antibacterial property of P-nHA-SIS scaffold was enhanced.Among them,the P-nHA-SIS scaffold loaded with 500 μg/mL peptide had achieved a satisfactory antibacterial effect,and this group of scaffolds would be selected in the future.(3)The degradation rate of the three groups of cross-linked scaffolds was lower than that of the uncross-linked scaffolds,and the water absorption rate was greater than that of the uncross-linked scaffolds.P-nHA-SIS scaffolds could promote the proliferation and migration of MC3T3-E1 cells without affecting the activity of MC3T3-E1 cells.(4)The results show that P-nHA-SIS scaffolds have strong antibacterial properties and the ability to promote the proliferation and migration of MC3T3-E1 cells,and are expected to be used in bone defect repair.
5.Investigation of natural radionuclide activity indrinking water in Hohhot, China
Bo JU ; Gerilemandahu ; Yulong BAO ; Shuai ZHANG ; Xiang LIU ; Haribala ; Xiao XU ; Zhichao SUN ; Xiaojuan YANG
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2026;35(2):159-164
Objective :
To investigate the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in drinking water (tap water andwell water) in urban and rural areas of Hohhot, assess the safety of drinking water, and to provide data support for localdrinking water radioactivity monitoring and management.
Methods :
Representative samples of well water and tap waterwere collected from nine banners/counties/districts in Hohhot. Activity concentrations were measured using a low-back-ground gross α/β counter, an α spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and a radium/radon analyzer.
Results :
A total of nine tap water samples and nine well water samples were analyzed. For the tap water samples, gross αactivity concentrations ranged from 0.093 to 0.193 Bq/L, gross β from 0.091 to 0.225 Bq/L, uranium mass concentrationsfrom 2.32 to 10.36 μg/L, thorium mass concentrations from 0.09 to 0.20 μg/L,210Po activity concentrations from below theminimum detectable limit to 0.41 mBq/L, and 226Ra activity concentrations from 8.70 to 13.35 mBq/L. For the well watersamples, gross α activity concentrations ranged from 0.111 to 0.203 Bq/L, gross β from 0.111 to 0.270 Bq/L, uranium massconcentrations from 2.31 to 13.28 μg/L, thorium mass concentrations from 0.17 to 0.26 μg/L,210Po activity concentrationsfrom 1.03 to 2.12 mBq/L, and 226Ra activity concentrations from 15.38 to 23.63 mBq/L.
Conclusion
The activityconcen-trations of natural radionuclides in both well water and tap water in the Hohhot region were at environmental backgroundlevels and met national drinking water hygiene standards.
6.Intelligent handheld ultrasound improving the ability of non-expert general practitioners in carotid examinations for community populations: a prospective and parallel controlled trial
Pei SUN ; Hong HAN ; Yi-Kang SUN ; Xi WANG ; Xiao-Chuan LIU ; Bo-Yang ZHOU ; Li-Fan WANG ; Ya-Qin ZHANG ; Zhi-Gang PAN ; Bei-Jian HUANG ; Hui-Xiong XU ; Chong-Ke ZHAO
Ultrasonography 2025;44(2):112-123
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations.
Methods:
This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits.
Results:
Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01).
Conclusion
Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.
7.Aldolase A accelerates hepatocarcinogenesis by refactoring c-Jun transcription
Xin YANG ; Guang-Yuan MA ; Xiao-Qiang LI ; Na TANG ; Yang SUN ; Xiao-Wei HAO ; Ke-Han WU ; Yu-Bo WANG ; Wen TIAN ; Xin FAN ; Zezhi LI ; Caixia FENG ; Xu CHAO ; Yu-Fan WANG ; Yao LIU ; Di LI ; Wei CAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(7):1634-1651
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)expresses abundant glycolytic enzymes and displays comprehensive glucose metabolism reprogramming.Aldolase A(ALDOA)plays a prominent role in glycolysis;however,little is known about its role in HCC development.In the present study,we aim to explore how ALDOA is involved in HCC proliferation.HCC proliferation was markedly suppressed both in vitro and in vivo following ALDOA knockout,which is consistent with ALDOA overexpression encouraging HCC prolifera-tion.Mechanistically,ALDOA knockout partially limits the glycolytic flux in HCC cells.Meanwhile,ALDOA translocated to nuclei and directly interacted with c-Jun to facilitate its Thr93 phosphorylation by P21-activated protein kinase;ALDOA knockout markedly diminished c-Jun Thr93 phosphorylation and then dampened c-Jun transcription function.A crucial site Y364 mutation in ALDOA disrupted its interaction with c-Jun,and Y364S ALDOA expression failed to rescue cell proliferation in ALDOA deletion cells.In HCC patients,the expression level of ALDOA was correlated with the phosphorylation level of c-Jun(Thr93)and poor prognosis.Remarkably,hepatic ALDOA was significantly upregulated in the promotion and progression stages of diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC models,and the knockdown of Aldoa strikingly decreased HCC development in vivo.Our study demonstrated that ALDOA is a vital driver for HCC development by activating c-Jun-mediated oncogene transcription,opening additional avenues for anti-cancer therapies.
8.Liquiritin improves macrophage degradation of engulfed tumour cells by promoting the formation of phagolysosomes via NOX2/gp91phox
Caiyi YANG ; Kehan CHEN ; Yunliang CHEN ; Xuting XIE ; Pengcheng LI ; Meng ZHAO ; Junjie LIANG ; Xueqian XIE ; Xiaoyun CHEN ; Yanping CAI ; Bo XU ; Qing WANG ; Lian ZHOU ; Xia LUO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2025;15(5):1016-1032
The incomplete degradation of tumour cells by macrophages(Mφ)is a contributing factor to tumour progression and metastasis,and the degradation function of Mφ is mediated through phagosomes and lysosomes.In our preliminary experiments,we found that overactivation of NADPH oxidase 2(NOX2)reduced the ability of Mφ to degrade engulfed tumour cells.Above this,we screened out liquiritin from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch,which can significantly inhibit NOX2 activity and inhibit tumours,to elucidate that suppressing NOX2 can enhance the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells.We found that the tumour environment could activate the NOX2 activity in Mφ phagosomes,causing Mφ to produce excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS),thus prohibiting the formation of phagolysosomes before degradation.Conversely,inhibiting NOX2 in Mφ by liquiritin can reduce ROS and promote phagosome-lysosome fusion,therefore improving the enzymatic degradation of tumour cells after phagocytosis,and subse-quently promote T cell activity by presenting antigens.We further confirmed that liquiritin down-regulated the expression of the NOX2 specific membrane component protein gp91 phox,blocking its binding to the NOX2 cytoplasmic component proteins p67 phox and p47 phox,thereby inhibiting the activity of NOX2.This study elucidates the specific mechanism by which Mφ cannot degrade tumour cells after phagocytosis,and indicates that liquiritin can promote the ability of Mφ to degrade tumour cells by suppressing NOX2.
9.Analysis of FBN1 gene mutations in six Chinese pedigrees affected with Marfan syndrome.
Xianhong DING ; Hongliang CHEN ; Yang LU ; Mengyi XU ; Bingjie HU ; Yicheng FANG ; Bo SHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(1):41-50
OBJECTIVE:
To determine the types of genetic variants in six Chinese pedigrees affected with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and analyze their clinical characteristics and molecular pathogenesis.
METHODS:
Six MFS pedigrees presented at the Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) between 2017 and 2022 were selected as the study subjects. Clinical data of pedigrees were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the probands and their family members for the extraction of genomic DNA. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. Candidate variants of the FBN1 gene were verified by Sanger sequencing. Based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), pathogenicity of the candidate variants was assessed. AlphaFold3 and PyMOL software were used for homology modeling of the FBN1 protein and analysis of its three-dimensional structure and amino acid sequence conservation. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Taizhou Enze Medical Center (Group) (Ethics No. 20231002).
RESULTS:
Cardiovascular system abnormalities were noted in all pedigrees, ocular abnormalities were present in pedigrees 2 and 5, skeletal system abnormalities were presented in pedigrees 1, and 4 to 6. FBN1 gene mutations were identified in all pedigrees, including c.1957_1958dupGT (p.Asp654fs), c.5014T>A (p.Cys1672Ser), c.8135delC (p.Pro2712fs), c.2302G>T (p.Glu768*), c.3473A>G (p.Glu1158Gly) and c.6169C>T (p.Arg2057*), with each involving a different exon. Four variants were rated as pathogenic, one as likely pathogenic, and one as variant of uncertain significance. Among these, c.5014T>A (p.Cys1672Ser), c.1957_1958dupGT (p.Asp654fs), c.8135delC (p.Pro2712fs), and c.2302G>T (p.Glu768*) were unreported previously. Bioinformatic analysis with SIFT and PolyPhen-2 predicted that the c.5014T>A (p.Cys1672Ser) and c.3473A>G (p.Glu1158Gly) variants were deleterious. Protein homologous sequence alignment analysis revealed that the four novel mutation sites are highly conserved across various species. Homology modeling of the FBN1 protein three-dimensional structure indicated that the six variant sites in the amino acid sequence are all close to hydrogen bonds and may alter the secondary and tertiary structures to varying degrees, thereby confirmed the relationship between the variants and MFS.
CONCLUSION
Four novel variants of the FBN1 gene have been discovered in this study, which has enriched the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of MFS and provided a basis for disease diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Adolescent
;
Adult
;
Child
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Young Adult
;
China
;
East Asian People/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Fibrillin-1/genetics*
;
Marfan Syndrome/genetics*
;
Mutation
;
Pedigree
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Adipokines
10.Genetic re-analysis of a Chinese pedigree affected with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy due to a heterozygous truncating variant of ALPK3 gene and literature review.
Chenliang HONG ; Xianhong DING ; Yang LU ; Jia ZHU ; Jinwei WANG ; Mengyi XU ; Shuaishuai CHEN ; Bo SHEN ; Weili GE
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics 2025;42(11):1337-1346
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of a Chinese pedigree affected with Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) due to a truncating variant of ALPK3 gene.
METHODS:
A 44-year-old male admitted to Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province on December 29, 2018 was selected as the study subject. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was interpreted by following the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). For ALPK3 was considered an autosomal recessive gene, the WES results was considered insufficient to explain his phenotype. In April 2023, the proband's WES data were re-analyzed using updated annotation pipelines, and peripheral blood samples were collected from his first-degree relatives (mother and brother) for Sanger sequencing validation. Conservation analysis and protein structural modeling were performed to assess the impact of the variant. Clinical evaluation and genetic counseling were provided to the proband's family members. Relevant literature on ALPK3tv-induced HCM patients were searched in Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, CNKI, and PubMed database using "ALPK3" and "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" as keywords. Clinical characteristics of HCM patients with heterozygous ALPK3tv variants were summarized and compared with the clinical characteristics of HCM patients with positive sarcomere-associated gene variants (SARC+). This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University (Ethics No.: K20230314).
RESULTS:
The proband was a 44-year-old male who was transferred to our institution on December 29, 2018 due to "chest tightness and pain for 6 months, exacerbated for 2 days". Emergency coronary angiography was performed, which led to a preliminary diagnosis of "acute coronary syndrome", and the patient was admitted to the Cardiology Department for treatment. Based on electrocardiogram and echocardiogram findings, the diagnosis was revised as HCM. The patient's condition has stabilized post-coronary angiography, and he was discharged with improved condition. On January 2019, WES was conducted to determine the etiology of the proband's HCM. WES results identified a novel heterozygous c.2156dupC (p.Pro720ThrfsTer53) truncating variant in the ALPK3 gene. At that time, the inheritance pattern could not explain the phenotype. In 2022, a literature indicated that heterozygous ALPK3tv could lead to autosomal dominant HCM. Consequently, in April 2023, the proband's whole-exome data were re-annotated, revealing changes in the transcript and protein versions, with the updated site annotated as ALPK3 (NM_020778.5): c.1550dupC (p.Pro518ThrfsTer53). Sanger sequencing confirmed that the proband's mother and brother also carried this variant. The mother exhibited obstructive HCM, while the brother showed no related phenotype. Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated conservation of this site across multiple species, and the variant has resulted in the loss of a protein domain. Based on ACMG guidelines, the variant was classified as likely pathogenic. Literature review and Bayesian calculation further elevated the pathogenicity rating, indicating that this variant was the cause of HCM in the patient. Literature study revealed distinctions between HCM caused by this variant type and SARC+ HCM. The age of onset among heterozygous ALPK3tv patients was delayed by approximately 10 years compared to SARC+ patients. Both forms of HCM exhibited a male predominance, which was particularly marked in individuals with ALPK3tv. Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy was more prevalent in heterozygous ALPK3tv patients than in SARC+ patients. The incidence of apical or concentric hypertrophy patterns was higher in heterozygous ALPK3tv patients compared to asymmetric septal hypertrophy, which predominated in SARC+ patients. ALPK3tv patients exhibited lower penetrance and later onset compared to SARC+ patients. A positive correlation between left ventricular wall thickness and age was noted in female patients only.
CONCLUSION
In this pedigree, the proband has presented with HCM, characterized by echocardiographic evidence of apical left ventricular hypertrophy without significant outflow tract obstruction or extracardiac phenotypes. Although his mother and brother had carried the same heterozygous ALPK3 (NM_020778.5) c.1550dupC (p.Pro518ThrfsTer53), the mother exhibited severe obstructive HCM, while the brother was asymptomatic, suggesting incomplete or age-dependent penetrance within the family. This study has enriched the evidence for the pathogenicity of ALPK3tv among Chinese HCM pedigrees and underscored the importance of periodic literature reviews and genetic re-analysis for unresolved genetic testing results.
Humans
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Male
;
Pedigree
;
Adult
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Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/genetics*
;
Heterozygote
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Asian People/genetics*
;
Exome Sequencing
;
Mutation
;
China
;
Female
;
East Asian People

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