OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and genetic features of Joubert syndrome (JS) in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data, genetic data, and follow-up data of 20 children who were diagnosed with JS in the Department of Children's Rehabilitation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from January 2017 to July 2022. RESULTS: Among the 20 children with JS, there were 11 boys and 9 girls. The common clinical manifestations were developmental delay (20 children, 100%), abnormal eye movement (19 children, 95%), and hypotonia (16 children, 80%), followed by abnormal respiratory rhythm in 5 children (25%) and unusual facies (including prominent forehead, low-set ears, and triangular mouth) in 3 children (15%), and no limb deformity was observed. All 20 children (100%) had the typical "molar tooth sign" and "midline cleft syndrome" on head images, and 6 children (30%) had abnormal eye examination results. Genetic testing was performed on 7 children and revealed 6 pathogenic genes, i.e., the CPLANE1, RPGRIP1L, MKS1, CC2D2A, CEP120, and AHI1 genes. CONCLUSIONS For children with developmental delay, especially those with abnormal eye movement and hypotonia, it is recommended to perform a head imaging examination to determine the presence or absence of "molar tooth sign" and "midline cleft syndrome", so as to screen for JS to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. There are many pathogenic genes for JS, and whole-exome sequencing can assist in the diagnosis of JS.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Cerebellum ; Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics* ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic/genetics* ; Eye Abnormalities/genetics* ; Retina ; Retrospective Studies ; Muscle Hypotonia/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics and genetic basis of two Chinese pedigrees affected with Joubert syndrome. METHODS: Clinical data of the two pedigrees was collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples and subjected to high-throughput sequencing. Candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out for a high-risk fetus from pedigree 2. RESULTS: The proband of pedigree 1 was a fetus at 23⁺⁵ weeks gestation, for which both ultrasound and MRI showed "cerebellar vermis malformation" and "molar tooth sign". No apparent abnormality was noted in the fetus after elected abortion. The fetus was found to harbor c.812+3G>T and c.1828G>C compound heterozygous variants of the INPP5E gene, which have been associated with Joubert syndrome type 1. The proband from pedigree 2 had growth retardation, mental deficiency, peculiar facial features, low muscle tone and postaxial polydactyly of right foot. MRI also revealed "cerebellar dysplasia" and "molar tooth sign". The proband was found to harbor c.485C>G and c.1878+1G>A compound heterozygous variants of the ARMC9 gene, which have been associated with Joubert syndrome type 30. Prenatal diagnosis found that the fetus only carried the c.485C>G variant. A healthy infant was born, and no anomalies was found during the follow-up. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants of the INPP5E and ARMC9 genes probably underlay the disease in the two pedigrees. Above finding has expanded the spectrum of pathogenic variants underlying Joubert syndrome and provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pedigree ; Cerebellum/abnormalities* ; Abnormalities, Multiple/diagnosis* ; Eye Abnormalities/diagnosis* ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic/diagnosis* ; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases/genetics* ; Retina/abnormalities* ; East Asian People ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the phenotype and genetic variant of a fetus with dysplasia of cerebellar vermis. METHODS: Gestational status and family history of the gravida was taken in combination with the imaging results of the fetus. Following elected abortion, fetal tissue and peripheral blood samples of the couple were collected for the extraction of genome DNA. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to screen potential variant associated with the phenotype of the proband. Specific PCR primers were designed to verify the results by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasound revealed that the fetal vermis cerebellum was poorly developed, which was similar to the previous pregnancy. Whole exome sequencing revealed that the fetus has carried compound heterozygous variants of the CPLANE1 gene, namely c.7978C>T and c.7169delT, which were respectively inherited from the husband and wife. CONCLUSION The c.7978C>T and c.7169delT compound heterozygous variants of the CPLANE1 gene probably underlay the dysplasia of cerebellar vermis in the fetus, which has provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics* ; Cerebellum/diagnostic imaging* ; Eye Abnormalities/genetics* ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Pregnancy ; Retina/abnormalities*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis of two siblings (including a fetus) from a pedigree affected with Joubert syndrome. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples of the proband and his parents as well as amniotic fluid and abortion tissues of the fetus were collected. Part of the samples were used for the extraction of DNA, and whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen potential variants in the proband and his parents. Suspected variants were subjected to bioinformatics analysis with consideration of the clinical phenotype, and were verified by Sanger sequencing of the proband, fetus and their parents.The remainders were used for the extraction of RNA, and the mechanism of splicing variant was validated by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: WES showed that both patients have carried c.175C>T (p.R59X) and c.553+1G>A compound heterozygous variants of the TMEM237 gene. Among these, c.175C>T was a nonsense mutation inherited from the asymptomatic mother, while c.553+1G>A was an alternative splicing mutation inherited from the asymptomatic father. RT-PCR showed that this variant has resulted in aberrant splicing by exon skipping. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous variants of the TMEM237 gene probably underlay the etiology of Joubert syndrome in this pedigree. Above finding has enriched the phenotype and variant spectrum of the TMEM237 gene, and facilitated genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.
Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics* ; Cerebellum/abnormalities* ; Eye Abnormalities ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Pregnancy ; Retina/abnormalities*

OBJECTIVE: To identify pathogenic variants in two families with patients suspected for Joubert syndrome(UBST) by cerebellar vermis hypoplasia. METHODS: Clinical data and peripheral venous blood and skin tissue samples were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA. Potential variants were screened by using targeted capture and next generation sequencing. Suspected variants were validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing. The frequency of the variants in the population was calculated. Pathogenicity of the variants was predicted by following the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Prenatal diagnosis was provided to these families upon subsequent pregnancy. RESULTS: The proband of family 1 was found to harbor homozygous c.2072delT (p.F691S*fs19) frameshift variant of the AHI1 gene, which may cause premature termination of translation of the Abelson helper integration site 1 after the 691st amino acid. The proband of family 2 was found to harbor compound heterozygous variants of the CPLANE1 gene, namely c.7243dupA (p.T2415Nfs*7) and c.8001delG (p.K2667Nfs*31), which can respectively lead to premature termination of translation of ciliogenesis and planar polarity effector 1 after the 2145th and 2667th amino acids. All of the three variants were previously unreported, and were predicted to be pathogenic by bioinformatic analysis. CONCLUSION The AHI1 c.2072delT and CPLANE1 c.7243dupA and c.8001delG variants probably underlay JBTS3 in family 1 and JBTS17 in family 2, respectively. Based on above results, prenatal diagnosis may be offered to the affected families upon their subsequent pregnancies.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport ; genetics ; Cerebellum ; abnormalities ; Eye Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retina ; abnormalities

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenesis of two fetuses from one family affected with Joubert syndrome (JS). METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was employed to screen potential mutations in both fetuses. Suspected mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. Impact of intronic mutations on DNA transcription was validated by cDNA analysis. RESULTS: Two novel TCTN1 mutations, c.342-8A>G and c.1494+1G>A, were identified in exons 2 and 12, respectively.cDNA analysis confirmed the pathogenic nature of both mutations with interference of normal splicing resulting in production of truncated proteins. CONCLUSION The genetic etiology of the family affected with JS has been identified.Above findings have enriched the mutation spectrum of TCTN1gene and facilitated understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlation of JS.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Cerebellum ; abnormalities ; Eye Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Retina ; abnormalities ; Whole Exome Sequencing

STUDY DESIGN: To induce scoliosis in young female Wistar rats using a noninvasive method and to validate this model. PURPOSE: To induce scoliosis in a rat model noninvasively by bracing and to study the corresponding gene-expression profile in the spine and different organs. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Scoliosis involves abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, the causes of which remain unclear. In the literature, it is suggested that scoliosis is genetically heterogeneous, as there are multiple factors involved directly or indirectly in its pathogenesis. Clinical and experimental studies were conducted to understand the etiology of anatomical alterations in the spine and internal organs, as the findings could help clinicians to establish new treatment approaches. METHODS: Twelve female Wistar rats aged 21 days were chosen for this study. Customized braces and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) primers for rats were designed using Primer 3 software. Radiological analysis (X-rays), histopathological studies, SYBR green, and RT-PCR analysis were performed. RESULTS: The spines of six rats were braced in a deformed position, which resulted in a permanent structural deformity as confirmed by X-ray studies. The remaining rats were used as controls. Quantitative studies of the expression of various genes (osteocalcin, pleiotrophins, matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP2] and MMP9, TIMP, interleukins 1 and 6, tumor necrosis factor-α) showed their differential expression and significant upregulation (p < 0.05) in different organs of scoliotic rats in comparison to those in control rats. Histopathological findings showed tissue necrosis and fibrosis in the brain, retina, pancreas, kidney, liver, and disc of scoliotic rats. CONCLUSIONS: Bracing is a noninvasive method for inducing scoliosis in an animal model with 100% reliability and with corresponding changes in gene expression. Scoliosis does not just involve a spine deformity, but can be referred to as a systemic disease on the basis of the pathological changes observed in various internal organs.
Animals ; Braces ; Brain ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukins ; Kidney ; Liver ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; Methods ; Models, Animal ; Necrosis ; Pancreas ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retina ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo confirm the genetic diagnosis for providing services for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis, we analyzed the clinical and genetic data of a pedigree which is clinically diagnosed as Joubert syndrome.

METHODA Joubert syndrome pedigree was enrolled as subject of this study from our hospital's outpatients in 2013. Following the medical history collection of the proband and the suffering fetus, target sequence capture and the next-generation sequencing technology were used for the proband and the suffering fetus to find the causative genes and sanger sequencing for the members of the pedigree to check and verify if the inherited mutations are in accordance with the Mendelian inheritance. Combining the clinical symptoms and signs with the total testing results, we analyzed the Joubert syndrome pedigree clinically and genetically.

RESULTThe proband showed abnormal respiratory patterns (neonatal tachypnea) and hypertonia without abnormal eye movements, and reflected the molar tooth sign on the magnetic resonance imaging. And afterwards the patient developed hypotonia, ataxia, growth and intellectual disability accompanied by congenital blepharoptosis. There were no any symptoms and signs of liver, kidney and eyesight abnormalities so far. The affected fetus showed hydrocephalus by the auxiliary examination during the second trimesters of pregnancy without any appearance deformities. Both the proband and the affected fetus carried a missense mutation of CC2D2A gene c.2999A > T (p.Glu1000Val) from their father and carried the deletion of exon 20-21 on the same gene. Both variations were confirmed to be the Mendelian genetic compound heterozygous pattern. Whereas, the missense mutations c.2999A > T (p.Glu1000Val) on the CC2D2A gene have been proved to be inherited from the proband's father and the proband as well as the affected fetus. However, the proband's mother was normal at this locus of CC2D2A gene. The missense mutations c.2999A >T (p.Glu1000Val) have been confirmed to accord with Mendelian inheritance.

CONCLUSIONThe Joubert syndrome patient may show hypertonia in the early postnatal days as a result of hydrocephalus during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy besides manifesting hypotonia, ataxia, growth and intellectual disability markedly with age accompanied by the congenital blepharoptosis and revealing the molar tooth sign on the magnetic resonance imaging, considering the medical history and the whole testing results, the compound heterozygous mutations of c.2999A > T (p.Glu1000Val) and deletion of exon 20-21 of CC2D2A gene in the pedigree may be the causal gene mutations.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; genetics ; Cerebellar Diseases ; Cerebellum ; abnormalities ; Exons ; Eye Abnormalities ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Proteins ; genetics ; Retina ; abnormalities

PURPOSE: We report a case of visual loss after the injection of poly-L-lactic acid filler into the right forehead area for cosmetic purposes. CASE SUMMARY: A 46-year-old female patient visited our clinic due to sudden visual disturbance and dysesthesia on the right forehead and cheek. Her best corrected visual acuity was no light perception in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Visual acuity in her right eye was not corrected. An afferent papillary defect in the right eye and paralysis of oculomotor muscles were observed. Fundus exam revealed a pale optic nerve and turbid retina on the posterior pole. The retinal vessels were narrowed. A papule 1 cm to the lateral margin of the right eyebrow due to the needle injection was found and no other visible skin abnormalities were observed. She had a cosmetic poly-L-lactic acid filler injection into the right forehead area immediately before the visual disturbance occurred. Fluorescent angiography showed occlusion of the right retinal artery and blood flow defects on the retina and choroid were present. The patient was followed up for 6 months and visual acuity and dysesthesia in her right forehead and cheek did not improve. CONCLUSIONS: Several cases of visual loss have occurred after injection of filler on the glabella and forehead for cosmetic purposes. However, most of the complications were observed after the use of hyaluronic fillers and not due to poly-L-lactic acid filler. This is the first case report of visual loss caused by poly-L-lactic acid filler in South Korea in a normal patient. Hence, consideration of complications when using this type of fillers is important.
Angiography ; Cheek ; Choroid ; Eyebrows ; Female ; Forehead* ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Oculomotor Muscles ; Optic Nerve ; Paralysis ; Paresthesia ; Retina ; Retinal Artery ; Retinal Vessels ; Skin Abnormalities ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical course of congenital aniridia and to evaluate prognostic factors for visual outcome after long-term follow-up. METHODS: The medical records of 120 eyes from 60 patients with congenital aniridia were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence and clinical course of ophthalmic characteristics, systemic disease, refractive errors, and visual acuity were assessed. Prognostic factors for final visual outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Aniridic keratopathy developed in 82 (69%) of 119 eyes. Macular hypoplasia was observed in 70 eyes of 35 patients (91%). Cataract was observed in 63 of 120 eyes (53%). Nystagmus was present in 41 patients (68% of 60 patients) at the initial visit but decreased in five patients (8% of 60 patients). Ocular hypertension was detected in 19 eyes (20% of 93 eyes), six (32% of 19 eyes) of which developed secondarily after cataract surgery. The mean changes in spherical equivalent and astigmatism during the follow-up period were -1.10 and 1.53 diopter, respectively. The mean final visual acuity was 1.028 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution. Nystagmus and ocular hypertension were identified as prognostic factors for poor visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of nystagmus and ocular hypertension was important to predict final visual outcome. Based on the high rate of secondary ocular hypertension after cataract surgery, careful management is needed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aniridia/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Cataract/diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Corneal Diseases/diagnosis ; Eye Abnormalities/diagnosis ; Eye Diseases/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Nystagmus, Pathologic/diagnosis ; Ocular Hypertension/diagnosis ; Prognosis ; Retina/abnormalities ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity/*physiology ; Young Adult