-
Genes Jan 2024Renal cystic diseases (RCDs) can arise from utero to early adulthood and present with a variety of symptoms including renal, hepatic, and cardiovascular manifestations.... (Review)
Review
Renal cystic diseases (RCDs) can arise from utero to early adulthood and present with a variety of symptoms including renal, hepatic, and cardiovascular manifestations. It is well known that common RCDs such as autosomal polycystic kidney disease and autosomal recessive kidney disease are linked to genes such as PKD1 and PKHD1, respectively. However, it is important to investigate the genetic pathophysiology of how these gene mutations lead to clinical symptoms and include some of the less-studied RCDs, such as autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease, multicystic dysplastic kidney, Zellweger syndrome, calyceal diverticula, and more. We plan to take a thorough look into the genetic involvement and clinical sequalae of a number of RCDs with the goal of helping to guide diagnosis, counseling, and treatment.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Polycystic Kidney Diseases; Kidney; Genes, Regulator; Transcription Factors; Inheritance Patterns
PubMed: 38254980
DOI: 10.3390/genes15010091 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023The goal of this manuscript is to present and summarize several rare pediatric syndromes (Zellweger syndrome, Kartagener syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome,... (Review)
Review
The goal of this manuscript is to present and summarize several rare pediatric syndromes (Zellweger syndrome, Kartagener syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Schinzel-Giedion syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Joubert-Boltshauser syndrome, Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome, and Langer-Giedion syndrome) who have been named after luminary "Swiss" physicians (pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, or pediatric radiologists) who recognized, studied, and published these syndromes. In this manuscript, a brief historical summary of the physicians is combined with the key clinical symptoms at presentation and the typical imaging findings. This manuscript is not aiming to give a complete comprehensive summary of the syndromes, nor does it ignore the valuable contributions of many "Swiss" scientists who are not included here, but focuses on several rare syndromes that benefit from imaging data.
PubMed: 37892331
DOI: 10.3390/children10101668 -
JNMA; Journal of the Nepal Medical... Feb 2024Zellweger syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease within the spectrum of peroxisome biogenesis disorder manifesting in the neonatal period with profound dysfunction...
UNLABELLED
Zellweger syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease within the spectrum of peroxisome biogenesis disorder manifesting in the neonatal period with profound dysfunction of the central nervous system, liver and kidney. Common clinical presentations include hypotonia, seizure, hepatomegaly, craniofacial dysmorphism and early death. Mutation in one of the PEX genes coding for a peroxisome assembly protein creates a functionally incompetent organelle causing accumulation of very long chain fatty acids in various organs. Here we report the case of a 5-month-old male presented at birth with hypotonia, poor feeding, gross congenital anomalies and later during early infancy with failure to thrive, several episodes of seizures, aspiration due to feeding difficulties and recurrent severe pneumonia. A whole genomic sequencing brought us to the final diagnosis of Zellweger syndrome. Despite an absence of treatment options, prompt diagnosis of Zellweger syndrome is important for providing appropriate symptomatic care, definitive genetic testing and prenatal counselling.
KEYWORDS
case reports; mutation; neonate; Zellweger syndrome.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Male; Infant; Zellweger Syndrome; Muscle Hypotonia; Peroxisomal Disorders; Genetic Testing; Mutation
PubMed: 38409970
DOI: 10.31729/jnma.8467 -
Genetics in Medicine : Official Journal... Nov 2023Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSDs) are known as autosomal recessive disorders caused by defective peroxisome biogenesis due to bi-allelic pathogenic variants in any of...
PURPOSE
Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSDs) are known as autosomal recessive disorders caused by defective peroxisome biogenesis due to bi-allelic pathogenic variants in any of at least 13 different PEX genes. Here, we report 2 unrelated patients who present with an autosomal dominant ZSD.
METHODS
We performed biochemical and genetic studies in blood and skin fibroblasts of the patients and demonstrated the pathogenicity of the identified PEX14 variants by functional cell studies.
RESULTS
We identified 2 different single heterozygous de novo variants in the PEX14 genes of 2 patients diagnosed with ZSD. Both variants cause messenger RNA mis-splicing, leading to stable expression of similar C-terminally truncated PEX14 proteins. Functional studies indicated that the truncated PEX14 proteins lost their function in peroxisomal matrix protein import and cause increased degradation of peroxisomes, ie, pexophagy, thus exerting a dominant-negative effect on peroxisome functioning. Inhibition of pexophagy by different autophagy inhibitors or genetic knockdown of the peroxisomal autophagy receptor NBR1 resulted in restoration of peroxisomal functions in the patients' fibroblasts.
CONCLUSION
Our finding of an autosomal dominant ZSD expands the genetic repertoire of ZSDs. Our study underscores that single heterozygous variants should not be ignored as possible genetic cause of diseases with an established autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.
Topics: Humans; Alleles; Peroxisomes; Protein Transport; Proteins; Zellweger Syndrome
PubMed: 37493040
DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100944 -
Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen... Jan 2024BackgroundWomen are overrepresented among individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Biological (sex) as well as sociocultural (gender)...
BackgroundWomen are overrepresented among individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). Biological (sex) as well as sociocultural (gender) differences between women and men might account for this imbalance, yet their impact on PASC is unknown.AimWe assessed the impact of sex and gender on PASC in a Swiss population.MethodOur multicentre prospective cohort study included 2,856 (46% women, mean age 44.2 ± 16.8 years) outpatients and hospitalised patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.ResultsAmong those who remained outpatients during their first infection, women reported persisting symptoms more often than men (40.5% vs 25.5% of men; p < 0.001). This sex difference was absent in hospitalised patients. In a crude analysis, both female biological sex (RR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.41-1.79; p < 0.001) and a score summarising gendered sociocultural variables (RR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.07; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with PASC. Following multivariable adjustment, biological female sex (RR = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.74-1.25; p = 0.763) was outperformed by feminine gender-related factors such as a higher stress level (RR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.06; p = 0.003), lower education (RR = 1.16; 95% CI: 1.03-1.30; p = 0.011), being female and living alone (RR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.29-2.83; p = 0.001) or being male and earning the highest income in the household (RR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60-0.97; p = 0.030).ConclusionSpecific sociocultural parameters that differ in prevalence between women and men, or imply a unique risk for women, are predictors of PASC and may explain, at least in part, the higher incidence of PASC in women. Once patients are hospitalised during acute infection, sex differences in PASC are no longer evident.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; COVID-19; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome; Switzerland; Prospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Disease Progression
PubMed: 38214079
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.2.2300200 -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Nov 2023Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSD) and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) are inherited metabolic diseases characterized by dysfunction of peroxisomes, that are...
BACKGROUND
Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSD) and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) are inherited metabolic diseases characterized by dysfunction of peroxisomes, that are essential for lipid metabolism and redox balance. Oxidative stress has been reported to have a significant role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as peroxisomal disorders, but little is known on the intracellular activation of Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Strictly related to oxidative stress, a correct autophagic machinery is essential to eliminated oxidized proteins and damaged organelles. The aims of the current study are to investigate a possible implication of MAPK pathways and autophagy impairment as markers and putative therapeutic targets in X-ALD and ZSDs.
METHODS
Three patients with ZSD (2 M, 1 F; age range 8-17 years) and five patients with X-ALD (5 M; age range 5- 22 years) were enrolled. A control group included 6 healthy volunteers. To evaluate MAPKs pathway, p-p38 and p-JNK were assessed by western blot analysis on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. LC3II/LC3I ratio was evaluated ad marker of autophagy.
RESULTS
X-ALD and ZSD patients showed elevated p-p38 values on average 2- fold (range 1.21- 2.84) and 3.30-fold (range 1.56- 4.26) higher when compared with controls, respectively. p-JNK expression was on average 12-fold (range 2.20-19.92) and 2.90-fold (range 1.43-4.24) higher in ZSD and X-ALD patients than in controls. All patients had altered autophagic flux as concluded from the reduced LC3II/I ratio.
CONCLUSIONS
In our study X-ALD and ZSD patients present an overactivation of MAPK pathways and an inhibition of autophagy. Considering the absence of successful therapies and the growing interest towards new therapies with antioxidants and autophagy inducers, the identification and validation of biomarkers to monitor optimal dosing and biological efficacy of the treatments is of prime interest.
Topics: Humans; Child; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Adult; Adrenoleukodystrophy; Zellweger Syndrome; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Peroxisomes; Oxidation-Reduction
PubMed: 37974207
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02940-x -
Epilepsy & Behavior Reports 2024Zellweger Syndrome is a peroxisomal disorder that can lead to elevation of long chain fatty acids and epilepsy, which can be drug resistant. The treatment of drug...
Zellweger Syndrome is a peroxisomal disorder that can lead to elevation of long chain fatty acids and epilepsy, which can be drug resistant. The treatment of drug resistant epilepsy can include the ketogenic diet in appropriately chosen patients. Typically, the ketogenic diet is contraindicated in individuals with defects in fatty acid metabolism because of the diet's reliance on medium and long chain fatty acids. To our knowledge this is the first publication outlining the use of the ketogenic diet in patients with defects in beta oxidation of very long chain fatty acids. We present two patients with Zellweger Syndrome who were placed on a ketogenic diet for drug resistant epilepsy. Safety and tolerance of the ketogenic diet in patients with Zellweger Syndrome.
PubMed: 38501062
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100655 -
Oxford Medical Case Reports Jun 2024Pigmentary retinal dystrophy (PRD) is a group of inherited disorders involving the progressive degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors and the retinal pigment...
Pigmentary retinal dystrophy (PRD) is a group of inherited disorders involving the progressive degeneration of rod and cone photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which can progress to pigmentary retinopathy (PR). We present a case of PRD in a female pediatric patient who has pathogenic variants in the PRPH2 and PEX1 genes. The patient has associated macular edema and secondary visual impairment. Treatment has included serial dexamethasone intravitreal implant injections and topical dorzolamide. The PEX1 gene mutation is associated with peroxisome biogenesis disorder-Zellweger syndrome spectrum (PBD-ZSS) and resulting retinal dystrophies. The PRPH2 mutation may play a role in macular edema and PRD, as it is implicated in macular degeneration, choroid defects, and photoreceptor dysfunction. In this case, we review multiple gene mutations playing potential etiologic roles for PRD and discuss care management.
PubMed: 38860019
DOI: 10.1093/omcr/omae067