ABSTRACT
Although many genetic etiologies, such as Fanconi anemia, Shwachman-Diamond syndrome, dyskeratosis congenita, and Diamond-Blackfan anemia, from hereditary bone marrow failure are known today, the responsible gene remains unknown in a significant part of these patients. A 6-year-old girl, whose parents were first-cousin consanguineous, was referred to the pediatric hematology department due to growth retardation, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and anemia. The patient had low-set ears, pectus excavatum inferiorly, and cafe-au-lait spots. In whole-exome analysis, p.K385T (c.1154A > C) variant in the RASA3 gene was detected as homozygous. The amino acid position of the alteration is located in the conserved and ordered region, corresponding to the Ras GTPase activation domain (Ras-GAP) in the center of the protein. Importantly, most of in silico prediction tools of pathogenicity predicts the variant as damaging. RASopathies, which are characterized by many common clinical findings, such as atypical facial features, growth delays, and heart defects, are a group of rare genetic diseases caused by mutations in the genes involved in the Ras-MAPK pathway. The findings in this patient were consistent with the RASopathy-like phenotype and bone marrow failure. Interestingly, enrichment of RASopathy genes was observed in the RASA3 protein-protein interaction network. Furthermore, the subsequent topological clustering revealed a putative function module, which further implicates RASA3 in this disease as a novel potential causative gene. In this context, the detected RASA3 mutation could be manifesting itself clinically as the observed phenotype by disrupting the functional cooperation between the RASA3 protein and its interaction partners. Relatedly, current literature also supports the obtained findings. Overall, this study provides new insights into RASopathy and put forward the RASA3 gene as a novel candidate gene for this disease group.
ABSTRACT
Linear nevus sebaceous syndrome (LNSS) is a neurocutaneous syndrome associated with systemic complications that involve multiple organs, including the skin, central nervous system, eyes, and skeleton. LNSS is considered to be caused by mosaic RAS gene mutation. In this report, we present an autopsy case of LNSS in a Japanese boy. The affected neonate had hydrops fetalis and was born at 28 weeks and 4 days of gestation, weighing 2104 g. He had bilateral inverted eyelids, verrucous linear nevus separated along Blaschko's line, myocardial hypertrophy, and pharyngeal constriction, and underwent intensive treatment in NICU for arrhythmia, hydrocephalus, and respiratory distress. The hydrocephalus progressed gradually and he died at the age of 181 days, 12 days after a sudden cardiac arrest and recovery. KRAS G12D mutation was found in a skin biopsy specimen but not in blood cells, suggesting a postzygotic mosaicism. Autopsy revealed novel pathological findings related to LNSS, including intracranial lipomatous hamartoma and mesenteric lymphangioma, in addition to previously reported findings such as multicystic dysplastic kidney. There was the limited expression of mutated KRAS protein in kidneys.
ABSTRACT
RASopathies are a group that encompasses a spectrum of related disorders caused by mutations linked to the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK) pathway, including neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), Noonan syndrome (NS), neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome (NFNS), Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines (NSML). Neurofibromas, as a hallmark of NF1, are extremely rare in patients with other RASopathies. Here we present a case of a 39-year-old Chinese male displaying orbital neurofibromas and lumbosacral plexiform neurofibromas. Histopathology of a CT-guided biopsy of the mass revealed it to be a neurofibroma. The targeted sequencing analysis did not find any pathogenic sequence alteration in the NF1 or NF2 causative genes in blood lymphocytes and hypertrophic nerve tissue, and no additional signs of NF1 were detected, thereby not meeting the diagnostic criteria for NF1. However, we identified a heterozygous mutation (c.836A>G, p.Y279C) in the PTPN11 gene, which is one of the key components of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway and is associated with NS, NFNS, and NSML. Nonetheless, a thorough examination did not reveal any signs of these syndromes in the patient. Consequently, it was inferred that this patient likely falls within the spectrum of the RASopathies. This represents a unique case manifesting as orbital and lumbosacral plexiform neurofibromas carrying a PTPN11 gene mutation, thereby broadening the phenotype spectrum of PTPN11 mutations. Our results also highlight the overlap between RASopathies. Neurofibromas should be considered indicative of a broader spectrum of disorders resulting from mutations in RASopathies other than NF1.
ABSTRACT
Noonan syndrome (NS) is a pleomorphic genetic disorder. Up to 50-80% of individuals have associated congenital heart disease. The scope of cardiac disease in NS is quite variable depending on the gene mutation. The most common forms of cardiac defects include pulmonary stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), atrial septal defect and left-sided lesions. Amongst the rare vascular abnormalities few case reports have been mentioned about coronary artery lesions apart from sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, aortic dissection, intracranial aneurysm. This is a case report a rare case of asymptomatic coronary artery aneurysm in a young male with NS. There is lack of unified protocol for the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of coronary artery disease in patients with NS. We conclude, echocardiography is sufficient in most cases in children. But a CT scan is appropriate in adults or when other lesions are suspected.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: HRASKO/NRASKO double knockout mice exhibit exceedingly high rates of perinatal lethality due to respiratory failure caused by a significant lung maturation delay. The few animals that reach adulthood have a normal lifespan, but present areas of atelectasis mixed with patches of emphysema and normal tissue in the lung. METHODS: Eight double knockout and eight control mice were analyzed using micro-X-ray computerized tomography and a Small Animal Physiological Monitoring system. Tissues and samples from these mice were analyzed using standard histological and Molecular Biology methods and the significance of the results analyzed using a Student´s T-test. RESULTS: The very few double knockout mice surviving up to adulthood display clear craniofacial abnormalities reminiscent of those seen in RASopathy mouse models, as well as thrombocytopenia, bleeding anomalies, and reduced platelet activation induced by thrombin. These surviving mice also present heart and spleen hyperplasia, and elevated numbers of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the spleen. Mechanistically, we observed that these phenotypic alterations are accompanied by increased KRAS-GTP levels in heart, platelets and primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts from these animals. CONCLUSIONS: Our data uncovers a new, previously unidentified mechanism capable of triggering a RASopathy phenotype in mice as a result of the combined removal of HRAS and NRAS.
Subject(s)
GTP Phosphohydrolases , Mice, Knockout , Phenotype , Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) , Animals , Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/metabolism , Mice , GTP Phosphohydrolases/genetics , GTP Phosphohydrolases/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Platelet Activation/genetics , Spleen/pathology , Spleen/metabolism , Monomeric GTP-Binding ProteinsABSTRACT
RASopathies are rare developmental genetic syndromes caused by germline pathogenic variants in genes that encode components of the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathway. Although the incidence of each RASopathy syndrome is rare, collectively, they represent one of the largest groups of multiple congenital anomaly syndromes and have severe developmental consequences. Here, we review our understanding of how RAS/MAPK dysregulation in RASopathies impacts skeletal muscle development and the importance of RAS/MAPK pathway regulation for embryonic myogenesis. We also discuss the complex interactions of this pathway with other intracellular signaling pathways in the regulation of skeletal muscle development and growth, and the opportunities that RASopathy animal models provide for exploring the use of pathway inhibitors, typically used for cancer treatment, to correct the unique skeletal myopathy caused by the dysregulation of this pathway.
Subject(s)
Muscle Development , Muscle, Skeletal , ras Proteins , Humans , Animals , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , ras Proteins/metabolism , Muscle Development/genetics , Signal Transduction , MAP Kinase Signaling System , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism , Disease Models, AnimalABSTRACT
Abnormal extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2, encoded by Mapk3 and Mapk1, respectively) signaling is linked to multiple neurodevelopmental diseases, especially the RASopathies, which typically exhibit ERK1/2 hyperactivation in neurons and non-neuronal cells. To better understand how excitatory neuron-autonomous ERK1/2 activity regulates forebrain development, we conditionally expressed a hyperactive MEK1 (MAP2K1) mutant, MEK1S217/221E, in cortical excitatory neurons of mice. MEK1S217/221E expression led to persistent hyperactivation of ERK1/2 in cortical axons, but not in soma/nuclei. We noted reduced axonal arborization in multiple target domains in mutant mice and reduced the levels of the activity-dependent protein ARC. These changes did not lead to deficits in voluntary locomotion or accelerating rotarod performance. However, skilled motor learning in a single-pellet retrieval task was significantly diminished in these MEK1S217/221E mutants. Restriction of MEK1S217/221E expression to layer V cortical neurons recapitulated axonal outgrowth deficits but did not affect motor learning. These results suggest that cortical excitatory neuron-autonomous hyperactivation of MEK1 is sufficient to drive deficits in axon outgrowth, which coincide with reduced ARC expression, and deficits in skilled motor learning. Our data indicate that neuron-autonomous decreases in long-range axonal outgrowth may be a key aspect of neuropathogenesis in RASopathies.
Subject(s)
Axons , Cerebral Cortex , MAP Kinase Kinase 1 , Neurons , Animals , Axons/metabolism , Axons/pathology , MAP Kinase Kinase 1/metabolism , MAP Kinase Kinase 1/genetics , Cerebral Cortex/pathology , Neurons/metabolism , Neurons/pathology , Learning , Glutamic Acid/metabolism , Enzyme Activation , Mice , MAP Kinase Signaling System , Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism , Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics , Mutation/genetics , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/metabolism , Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism , Motor Activity , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/metabolismABSTRACT
The RAS-MAPK-pathway is aberrantly regulated in cancer and developmental diseases called RASopathies. While typically the impact of Ras on the proliferation of various cancer cell lines is assessed, it is poorly established how Ras affects cellular differentiation. Here we implement the C2C12 myoblast cell line to systematically study the effect of Ras mutants and Ras-pathway drugs on differentiation. We first provide evidence that a minor pool of Pax7+ progenitors replenishes a major pool of transit amplifying cells that are ready to differentiate. Our data indicate that Ras isoforms have distinct roles in the differentiating culture, where K-Ras depletion increases and H-Ras depletion decreases terminal differentiation. This assay could therefore provide significant new insights into Ras biology and Ras-driven diseases. In line with this, we found that all oncogenic Ras mutants block terminal differentiation of transit amplifying cells. By contrast, RASopathy associated K-Ras variants were less able to block differentiation. Profiling of eight targeted Ras-pathway drugs on seven oncogenic Ras mutants revealed their allele-specific activities and distinct abilities to restore normal differentiation as compared to triggering cell death. In particular, the MEK-inhibitor trametinib could broadly restore differentiation, while the mTOR-inhibitor rapamycin broadly suppressed differentiation. We expect that this quantitative assessment of the impact of Ras-pathway mutants and drugs on cellular differentiation has great potential to complement cancer cell proliferation data.
Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Mutation , Protein Isoforms , Animals , Mice , Protein Isoforms/metabolism , Protein Isoforms/genetics , ras Proteins/metabolism , ras Proteins/genetics , Cell Line , HumansABSTRACT
Noonan syndrome is a so-called "RASopathy," that is characterized by short stature, distinctive facial features, congenital heart defects, and developmental delay. Of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of Noonan syndrome, 80%-90% have pathogenic variants in the known genes implicated in the disorder, but the molecular mechanism is unknown in the remaining cases. Heterozygous pathogenic variants of ETS2 repressor factor (ERF), which functions as a repressor in the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway, cause syndromic craniosynostosis. Here, we report an ERF frameshift variant cosegregating with a Noonan syndrome-like phenotype in a family. The proband was a 3-year-old female who presented with dysmorphic facial features, including proptosis, hypertelorism, slightly down slanted palpebral fissures, low-set posteriorly rotated ears, depressed nasal bridge, short stature, and developmental delay. Exome sequencing of the proband identified a heterozygous ERF variant [NM_006494.4: c.185del p.(Glu62Glyfs*15)]. Her mother and sister showed a similar phenotype and had the same heterozygous ERF variant. A large proportion of the previously reported patients with syndromic craniosynostosis and pathogenic ERF variants also showed characteristic features that overlap with those of Noonan syndrome. The present finding supports an association between heterozygous ERF variants and a Noonan syndrome-like phenotype.
Subject(s)
Frameshift Mutation , Noonan Syndrome , Repressor Proteins , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Craniosynostoses/genetics , Craniosynostoses/pathology , Craniosynostoses/diagnosis , Exome Sequencing , Heterozygote , Noonan Syndrome/genetics , Noonan Syndrome/pathology , Noonan Syndrome/diagnosis , Pedigree , Phenotype , Repressor Proteins/genetics , ChildABSTRACT
Background: Precision medicine in paediatric cardiac channelopathy and cardiomyopathy has a rapid advancement over the past years. Compared to conventional gene panel and exome-based testing, whole genome sequencing (WGS) offers additional coverage at the promoter, intronic regions and the mitochondrial genome. However, the data on use of WGS to evaluate the genetic cause of these cardiovascular conditions in children and adolescents are limited. Methods: In a tertiary paediatric cardiology center, we recruited all patients diagnosed with cardiac channelopathy and cardiomyopathy between the ages of 0 and 18 years old, who had negative genetic findings with prior gene panel or exome-based testing. After genetic counselling, blood samples were collected from the subjects and both their parents for WGS analysis. Results: A total of 31 patients (11 cardiac channelopathy and 20 cardiomyopathy) were recruited. Four intronic splice-site variants were identified in three cardiomyopathy patients, which were not identified in previous whole exome sequencing. These included a pathogenic variant in TAFAZZIN:c.284+5G>A (Barth syndrome), a variant of unknown significance (VUS) in MYBPC3:c.1224-80G>A and 2 compound heterozygous LP variants in LZTR1 (LZTR1:c.1943-256C>T and LZTR1:c1261-3C>G) in a patient with clinical features of RASopathy. There was an additional diagnostic yield of 1.94% using WGS for identification of intronic variants, on top of conventional gene testing. Conclusion: WGS plays a role in identifying additional intronic splice-site variants in paediatric patients with isolated cardiomyopathy. With the demonstrated low extra yield of WGS albeit its ability to provide potential clinically important information, WGS should be considered in selected paediatric cases of cardiac channelopathy and cardiomyopathy in a cost-effective manner.
ABSTRACT
Chromosomal structural rearrangements consist of anomalies in genomic architecture that may or may not be associated with genetic material gain and loss. Evaluating the precise breakpoint is crucial from a diagnostic point of view, highlighting possible gene disruption and addressing to appropriate genotype-phenotype association. Structural rearrangements can either occur randomly within the genome or present with a recurrence, mainly due to peculiar genomic features of the surrounding regions. We report about three non-related individuals, harboring chromosomal structural rearrangements interrupting SETBP1, leading to gene haploinsufficiency. Two out of them resulted negative to Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA), being the rearrangement balanced at a microarray resolution. The third one, presenting with a complex three-chromosome rearrangement, had been previously diagnosed with SETBP1 haploinsufficiency due to a partial gene deletion at one of the chromosomal breakpoints. We thoroughly characterized the rearrangements by means of Optical Genome Mapping (OGM) and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), providing details about the involved sequences and the underlying mechanisms. We propose structural variants as a recurrent event in SETBP1 haploinsufficiency, which may be overlooked by laboratory routine genomic analyses (CMA and Whole Exome Sequencing) or only partially determined when associated with genomic losses at breakpoints. We finally introduce a possible role of SETBP1 in a Noonan-like phenotype.
Subject(s)
Chromosome Aberrations , Haploinsufficiency , Humans , Haploinsufficiency/genetics , Gene Rearrangement , Chromosomes , Whole Genome Sequencing/methods , Carrier Proteins/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To evaluate the imaging and clinical features of unusual calcified lesions seen in the fundus of patients with mosaic RASopathy. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective observational study. SUBJECTS: Ten eyes with calcified fundus lesions in 7 patients with mosaic RASopathy. METHODS: The lesions were evaluated with fundus photography, oral fundus fluorescein angiography, B-scan ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) scan where available. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The imaging characteristics of calcified fundus lesions were assessed. RESULTS: We found 7 patients with mosaic RASopathies, 5 men and 2 women (3 with linear sebaceous nevus syndrome, 3 with oculoectodermal syndrome, and 1 with encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis) with molecular confirmation in 5 cases, all 5 having KRAS-pathogenic variants. Calcified fundus lesions were identified in 10 eyes (bilateral in 3 patients), appearing as slightly elevated, creamy-yellow lesions around or adjacent to the optic nerve, extending supero-nasally; all but 2 of these lesions involved both the choroid and sclera, with 2 of them only involving the sclera at the time of examination. One case developed a choroidal neovascular membrane necessitating intravitreal bevacizumab injections. All 7 patients had B-scan ultrasonography, and the lesion appeared as a hyperechogenic area with an acoustic shadow posteriorly despite reduced gain. Five patients had MRI, and where fundus lesions were present, there was a focal defect in the sclero-choroidal layer. Four patients had a CT scan, and all 4 showed calcifications affecting both the posteromedial sclero-choroid and adjacent medial rectus muscle. Two of these patients had normal eye movements, 1 had a unilateral fixed adducted eye and a vestigial fibrous medial rectus muscle seen in imaging and intraoperatively, and the fourth had marked exotropia with a right gaze deficit affecting both eyes. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that the lesions seen in this cohort are calcified sclero-choroidal choristomas and should be suspected in mosaic RASopathies when creamy-yellow lesions are seen in the fundus. If identified, the possibility of choroidal neovascularization should be considered during follow-up. In all cases where a CT scan was performed, a novel sign of sclero-muscular calcification involving the medial rectus muscle was seen. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Subject(s)
Calcinosis , Choristoma , Fluorescein Angiography , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Scleral Diseases , Humans , Male , Female , Retrospective Studies , Calcinosis/diagnosis , Calcinosis/diagnostic imaging , Fluorescein Angiography/methods , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Scleral Diseases/diagnosis , Choristoma/diagnosis , Adult , Neurocutaneous Syndromes/diagnosis , Adolescent , Child , Fundus Oculi , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Young Adult , Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn/diagnosis , Choroid Diseases/diagnosis , Choroid/pathology , Choroid/diagnostic imaging , Ectodermal Dysplasia/diagnosis , Ectodermal Dysplasia/genetics , Ectodermal Dysplasia/complications , Child, Preschool , Lipomatosis/diagnosis , Eye DiseasesABSTRACT
Noonan syndrome (NS) is a phenotypically variable inherited multi-system disorder. Maxillofacial findings can be diagnostic, especially in the evaluation of discrete facial dysmorphia. Diagnostic landmark findings of therapeutic relevance for the jaws such as central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) are rare in NS. However, recent molecular genetic studies indicate that these rare, benign lesions are neoplasms and more common in specific syndromes grouped under the umbrella term RASopathies. A specialist surgical diagnosis can be helpful in identifying the underlying disease. This report outlines diagnosis and treatment of a case of CGCG for which jaw diagnosis became the key to identifying a syndromic disease.
Subject(s)
Granuloma, Giant Cell , Noonan Syndrome , Humans , Noonan Syndrome/genetics , Noonan Syndrome/diagnosis , Granuloma, Giant Cell/diagnosis , Granuloma, Giant Cell/pathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Male , Female , Mandibular Diseases/diagnosis , Mandibular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Jaw Diseases/diagnosisABSTRACT
Noonan syndrome (NS) is a dominantly inherited genetic disorder with mutations in genes encoding components or regulators of the Rat sarcoma virus/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Its diagnosis is based on characteristic features, including typical facial features, a short stature, congenital heart disease, mild developmental delay, and cryptorchidism. Patients with NS sometimes develop autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and, rarely, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We herein present a 29-year-old Japanese female with NS complicated by SLE and repeated severe hypoglycaemia. The patient was diagnosed with SLE based on thrombocytopenia, nephritis, a positive antinuclear antibody titre (1:640), and a positive anti-dsDNA antibody. The patient was treated with a glucocorticoid, mycophenolate mofetil, and tacrolimus, which attenuated both SLE and hypoglycaemia. Since insulin receptor antibody levels were higher to the upper normal range and decreased after treatment, hypoglycaemia probably appeared to be attributed to type B insulin resistance syndrome. We herein present the first case of SLE in NS complicated by type B insulin resistance syndrome. Although NS is a rare disease, we need to consider the complication of autoimmune diseases, including SLE.
Subject(s)
Hypoglycemia , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic , Noonan Syndrome , Humans , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis , Female , Adult , Noonan Syndrome/complications , Noonan Syndrome/diagnosis , Hypoglycemia/etiology , Hypoglycemia/diagnosis , Insulin Resistance , RecurrenceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder typified by various combination of numerous Café-au-lait macules, cutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas, freckling of inguinal or axillary region, optic glioma, Lisch nodules and osseous lesions. Cherubism is a rare genetic syndrome described by progressive swelling of the lower and/or upper jaw due to replacement of bone by fibrous connective tissue. Patients are reported in the literature with NF1 and cherubism-like phenotype due to the NF1 osseous lesions in the jaws. The purpose of this case report is the description of a young male genetically diagnosed with both NF1 and cherubism. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 9 years and six month old patient with clinical findings of NF1 and cherubism in whom both diseases were genetically confirmed, is presented. The patient was evaluated by a pediatrician, a pediatric endocrinologist, an ophthalmologist, and an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. A laboratory and hormonal screening, a histological examination, a chest X-ray, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit and a digital panoramic radiography were performed. Genetic testing applying Whole Exome Sequencing was conducted. CONCLUSIONS: A novel and an already reported pathogenic variants were detected in NF1 and SH3BP2 genes, respectively. This is the first described patient with coexistence of NF1 and cherubism. The contribution of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) in gene variant identification as well as the importance of close collaboration between laboratory scientists and clinicians, is highlighted. Both are essential for optimizing the diagnostic approach of patients with a complex phenotype.
Subject(s)
Cherubism , Neurofibromatosis 1 , Child , Humans , Male , Cafe-au-Lait Spots/complications , Cafe-au-Lait Spots/genetics , Cherubism/complications , Cherubism/genetics , Genetic Testing , Neurofibromatosis 1/complications , Neurofibromatosis 1/genetics , Neurofibromatosis 1/diagnosis , PhenotypeABSTRACT
AIMS: This study aimed to describe the natural history and predictors of all-cause mortality and sudden cardiac death (SCD)/equivalent events in children with a RASopathy syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: This is a retrospective cohort study from 14 paediatric cardiology centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland. We included children <18 years with HCM and a clinical and/or genetic diagnosis of a RASopathy syndrome [Noonan syndrome (NS), NS with multiple lentigines (NSML), Costello syndrome (CS), cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (CFCS), and NS with loose anagen hair (NS-LAH)]. One hundred forty-nine patients were recruited [111 (74.5%) NS, 12 (8.05%) NSML, 6 (4.03%) CS, 6 (4.03%) CFCS, 11 (7.4%) Noonan-like syndrome, and 3 (2%) NS-LAH]. NSML patients had higher left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient values [60 (36-80) mmHg, P = 0.004]. Over a median follow-up of 197.5 [inter-quartile range (IQR) 93.58-370] months, 23 patients (15.43%) died at a median age of 24.1 (IQR 5.6-175.9) months. Survival was 96.45% [95% confidence interval (CI) 91.69-98.51], 90.42% (95% CI 84.04-94.33), and 84.12% (95% CI 75.42-89.94) at 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively, but this varied by RASopathy syndrome. RASopathy syndrome, symptoms at baseline, congestive cardiac failure (CCF), non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT), and maximal left ventricular wall thickness were identified as predictors of all-cause mortality on univariate analysis, and CCF, NSVT, and LVOT gradient were predictors for SCD or equivalent event. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight a distinct category of patients with Noonan-like syndrome with a milder HCM phenotype but significantly worse survival and identify potential predictors of adverse outcome in patients with RASopathy-related HCM.
Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic , Heart Failure , Noonan Syndrome , Humans , Child , Retrospective Studies , Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/diagnosis , Noonan Syndrome/genetics , Death, Sudden, CardiacABSTRACT
Fetuses with RASopathies can have a wide variety of anomalies including increased nuchal translucency, hydrops fetalis, and structural anomalies (typically cardiac and renal). There are few reports that describe prenatal-onset craniosynostosis in association with a RASopathy diagnosis. We present clinical and molecular characteristics of five individuals with RASopathy and craniosynostosis. Two were diagnosed with craniosynostosis prenatally, 1 was diagnosed as a neonate, and 2 had evidence of craniosynostosis noted as neonates without formal diagnosis until later. Two of these individuals have Noonan syndrome (PTPN11 and KRAS variants) and three individuals have Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome (KRAS variants). Three individuals had single suture synostosis and two had multiple suture involvement. The most common sutures involved were sagittal (n = 3), followed by coronal (n = 3), and lambdoid (n = 2) sutures. This case series confirms craniosynostosis as one of the prenatal findings in individuals with RASopathies and emphasizes the importance of considering a RASopathy diagnosis in fetuses with multiple anomalies in combination with craniosynostosis.
Subject(s)
Craniosynostoses , Heart Defects, Congenital , Noonan Syndrome , Infant, Newborn , Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics , Craniosynostoses/diagnosis , Craniosynostoses/genetics , Noonan Syndrome/diagnosis , Noonan Syndrome/genetics , Ultrasonography, PrenatalABSTRACT
Encephalocraniocutaneous lipomatosis (ECCL) is a rare neurocutaneous disorder caused by somatic FGFR1 and KRAS variants. It shares significant phenotypic overlap with several closely related disorders caused by mutations in the RAS-MAPK pathway (mosaic RASopathies). We report a diagnostically challenging case of ECCL in which next-generation sequencing of affected tissue identified a pathologic FGFR1 p.K656E variant, thereby establishing a molecular diagnosis. Patients with FGFR1-associated ECCL carry a risk of developing malignant brain tumors; thus, genetic testing of patients with suspected ECCL has important management implications.
Subject(s)
Eye Diseases , Lipomatosis , Neurocutaneous Syndromes , Humans , Neurocutaneous Syndromes/diagnosis , Neurocutaneous Syndromes/genetics , Neurocutaneous Syndromes/therapy , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Lipomatosis/diagnosis , Lipomatosis/genetics , Lipomatosis/therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Noonan syndrome (NS) due to the RRAS2 gene, the pathogenic variant is an extremely rare RASopathies. Our objective was to identify the potential site of RRAS2, combined with the literature review, to find the correlation between clinical phenotype and genotype. De novo missense mutations affect different aspects of the RRAS2 function, leading to hyperactivation of the RAS-MAPK signaling cascade. METHODS: Conventional G-banding was used to analyze the chromosome karyotype of the patient. Copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) was used to detect the chromosomal gene microstructure of the patient and her parents. The exomes of the patient and her parents were sequenced using trio-based whole exome sequencing (trio-WES) technology. The candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. The pathogenicity of the variant was predicted with a variety of bioinformatics tools. RESULTS: Chromosome analysis of the proband revealed 46, XX, and no abnormality was found by CNV-seq. After sequencing and bioinformatics filtering, the variant of RRAS2(c.67G>T; p. Gly23Cys) was found in the proband, while the mutation was absent in her parents. To the best of our knowledge, our patient was with the typical Noonan syndrome, such as short stature, facial dysmorphism, and developmental delay. Furthermore, our study is the first case of NS with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) caused by the RRAS2 gene mutation reported in China. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigations suggested that the heterozygous missense of RRAS2 may be a potential causal variant in a rare cause of Noonan syndrome, expanding our understanding of the causally relevant mutations for this disorder.