Project description:We identified a family with a novel chromosome 13 microdeletion associated with a syndromic form of corneal opacification. In order to determine which genes in/around the microdeletion were contributing to the constellation of phenotypes, a corneal epithelial sample was obtained during a superficial keratectomy of the proband's 9-year-old brother.
Project description:Progressive corneal opacification can result from multiple etiologies, including corneal dystrophies or systemic and genetic diseases. We describe a novel syndrome featuring progressive epithelial and anterior stromal opacification in a brother and sister and their mildly affected father, with all three family members having sensorineural hearing loss and two also with tracheomalacia/laryngomalacia. All carried a 1.2 Mb deletion at chromosome 13q12.11, with no other noteworthy co-segregating variants identified on clinical exome or chromosomal microarray. RNAseq analysis from an affected corneal epithelial sample from the proband's brother revealed downregulation of XPO4, IFT88, ZDHHC20, LATS2, SAP18, and EEF1AKMT1 within the microdeletion interval, with no notable effect on the expression of nearby genes. Pathway analysis showed upregulation of collagen metabolism and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation/maintenance, with no significantly down-regulated pathways. Analysis of overlapping deletions/variants demonstrated that deleterious variants in XPO4 were found in patients with laryngomalacia and sensorineural hearing loss, with the latter phenotype also being a feature of variants in the partially overlapping DFNB1 locus, yet none of these had reported corneal phenotypes. Together, these data define a novel microdeletion-associated syndromic progressive corneal opacification and suggest that a combination of genes within the microdeletion may contribute to ECM dysregulation leading to pathogenesis.
Project description:Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) accounts for 5-8% of all congenital heart defects. CoA can be detected in up to 20% of patients with Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS), in which a part or all of one of the X chromosomes is absent. The etiology of non-syndromic CoA is poorly understood. In the present work, we test the hypothesis that rare copy number variation (CNV) especially on the gonosomes, contribute to the etiology of non-syndromic CoA. We performed high-resolution genome-wide CNV analysis using the Affymetrix SNP 6.0 microarray platform for 13 individuals from 3 families with familial CoA.
Project description:Clinical and molecular characterization of a novel LMX1A frameshift mutation near the C-terminus lead to familial non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss
Project description:Corneal endothelium is composed of a monolayer of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) in the inner layer of cornea, which is essential for maintaining corneal transparency. In order to better characterize CECs in different developmental stages, we profiled mRNA transcriptomes in human fetal and adult corneal endothelium with the goal to identify novel molecular markers in these cells. By comparing CECs with 12 other types of tissues, we identified 245 and 284 signature genes that are highly expressed in fetal and adult CECs, respectively. Functionally, these genes are characteristic of CECs, involving in cell adhesion, proteoglycan and sulfur metabolic process. Importantly, several of these genes are disease target genes in hereditary corneal dystrophies, consistent with their functional significance in CEC physiology. By comparing fetal and adult CECs, we also identified stage-specific markers associated with CEC maturation, such as the activation of the Wnt pathway genes in fetal, but not in adult CECs. Lastly, by immunohistochemistry of ocular tissues, we further confirmed the unique protein expression patterns for Wnt5a, S100A4, S100A6, and IER3, the four novel markers for either fetal or adult CECs. The identification of a new panel of molecular markers for fetal and mature CECs would be very useful for characterizing and quality controlling CECs through ex vivo expansion or stem cell differentiation for cell replacement therapy. mRNA profile between adult and fetal CECs by high-throughput sequencing
Project description:BACKGROUND:Interstitial 4q deletions are rare chromosomal alterations. Most of the previously reported deletions involving the 4q13.3 region are large chromosomal alterations with a common loss of band 4q21 resulting in marked growth restriction, severe intellectual disability, and absent or severely delayed speech. A microdeletion of 4q13.3 hasn't been previously reported. We discuss the involvement of genes and the observed phenotype, comparing it with that of previously reported patients. CASE PRESENTATION:We report on a 4q13.3 microdeletion detected in three affected individuals of a Lithuanian family. The clinical features of two affected children and their affected mother are very similar and include short stature, congenital heart defect, skeletal anomalies, minor facial anomalies, delayed puberty, and intellectual disability. Whole genome SNP microarray analysis of one child revealed an interstitial 4q13.3 microdeletion, 1.56?Mb in size. FISH analysis confirmed the deletion in the proband and identified the same deletion in her affected sib and mother, while it was not detected in a healthy sib. Deletion includes ADAMTS3, ANKRD17, COX18, GC, and NPFFR2 protein-coding genes. CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest that 4q13.3 microdeletion is a cause of a recognizable phenotype of three affected individuals. The detected microdeletion is the smallest interstitial deletion in 4q13. We highlight ADAMTS3, ANKRD17 and RNU4ATAC9P as candidate genes for intellectual disability, growth retardation and congenital heart defect.
Project description:Corneal endothelium is composed of a monolayer of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) in the inner layer of cornea, which is essential for maintaining corneal transparency. In order to better characterize CECs in different developmental stages, we profiled mRNA transcriptomes in human fetal and adult corneal endothelium with the goal to identify novel molecular markers in these cells. By comparing CECs with 12 other types of tissues, we identified 245 and 284 signature genes that are highly expressed in fetal and adult CECs, respectively. Functionally, these genes are characteristic of CECs, involving in cell adhesion, proteoglycan and sulfur metabolic process. Importantly, several of these genes are disease target genes in hereditary corneal dystrophies, consistent with their functional significance in CEC physiology. By comparing fetal and adult CECs, we also identified stage-specific markers associated with CEC maturation, such as the activation of the Wnt pathway genes in fetal, but not in adult CECs. Lastly, by immunohistochemistry of ocular tissues, we further confirmed the unique protein expression patterns for Wnt5a, S100A4, S100A6, and IER3, the four novel markers for either fetal or adult CECs. The identification of a new panel of molecular markers for fetal and mature CECs would be very useful for characterizing and quality controlling CECs through ex vivo expansion or stem cell differentiation for cell replacement therapy.
Project description:Transparent avascular cornea providing two third refraction to the eye. Restoration of corneal transparency and clear vision in a traumatic eye involves the action of many cytokines and signaling pathways. Out of several factors, stromal keratocytes/fibroblasts (CSFs) play a central role in corneal repair and wound healing. Post trauma, keratocytes/fibroblasts produce myofibroblasts to facilitate wound repair by synthesizing and secreting large extracellular matrix components, collagens, and alpha-smooth muscle actin stress fibers. This study aimed to perform RNASeq data analysis and pathway enrichments to gain a better understanding of gene regulation in corneal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in corneal wound repair.
Project description:Dr. Panjwani's laboratory is focusing on the mechanism by which galectins-3 and 7 mediate corneal epithelial cell migration. We are currently performing studies to: (i) identify and characterize the corneal epithelial cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules which serve as counterreceptors of galectin-3 and -7, to establish whether the lectins modulate corneal epithelial cell migration by binding to well known integrins, growth factor receptors, and/or ECM molecules and (ii) determine whether galectin-3 mediates corneal epithelial cell migration indirectly by modulating the expression of key adhesion and/or signal transduction molecules by using small interfering RNA, cDNA microarrays and glycogene arrays. We have prepared three independent preparations of total RNA of corneal epithelial cells from WT mice (total six samples) for analysis of glycogene expression. Samples are Normal Cornea (Left eye) and Laser ablation + 16-18 hours healing (right eye)