RNA Therapy for Oncogenic NRAS-Driven Nevi Induces Apoptosis.

RAS proteins regulate cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis through multiple downstream effector pathways. Oncogenic RAS variants are the commonest drivers in cancers; however, they also drive many benign lesions predisposing to malignancy, such as melanocytic nevi, thyroid nodules, and colonic polyps. Reversal of these benign lesions could reduce cancer incidence; however, the effects of oncogenic RAS have been notoriously difficult to target with downstream pathway inhibitors. In this study, we show effective suppression of oncogenic and currently undruggable NRASQ61K in primary cells from melanocytic nevi using small interfering RNA targeted to the recurrent causal variant. This results in striking reduction in expression of ARL6IP1, a known inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis not previously linked to NRAS. We go on to show that a single dose of small interfering RNA in primary cells triggers an apoptotic cascade, in contrast to treatment with a MAPK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase inhibitor. Protective packaging of the targeted small interfering RNA into lipid nanoparticles permits successful delivery into a humanized mouse model of melanocytic nevi and results in variant NRAS knockdown in vivo. These data show that RAS-induced protection from apoptosis is involved in persistence of NRAS-driven melanocytic nevi and anticipate that targeted small interfering RNA could form the basis of clinical trials for RAS-driven benign tumors.

GNAQ/GNA11 Mosaicism Causes Aberrant Calcium Signaling Susceptible to Targeted Therapeutics.

Mosaic variants in genes GNAQ or GNA11 lead to a spectrum of vascular and pigmentary diseases including Sturge-Weber syndrome, in which progressive postnatal neurological deterioration led us to seek biologically targeted therapeutics. Using two cellular models, we find that disease-causing GNAQ/11 variants hyperactivate constitutive and G-protein coupled receptor ligand-induced intracellular calcium signaling in endothelial cells. We go on to show that the aberrant ligand-activated intracellular calcium signal is fueled by extracellular calcium influx through calcium-release-activated channels. Treatment with targeted small interfering RNAs designed to silence the variant allele preferentially corrects both the constitutive and ligand-activated calcium signaling, whereas treatment with a calcium-release-activated channel inhibitor rescues the ligand-activated signal. This work identifies hyperactivated calcium signaling as the primary biological abnormality in GNAQ/11 mosaicism and paves the way for clinical trials with genetic or small molecule therapies.

GNAQ/GNA11 Mosaicism Is Associated with Abnormal Serum Calcium Indices and Microvascular Neurocalcification.

Mosaic mutations in genes GNAQ or GNA11 lead to a spectrum of diseases including Sturge-Weber syndrome and phakomatosis pigmentovascularis with dermal melanocytosis. The pathognomonic finding of localized "tramlining" on plain skull radiography, representing medium-sized neurovascular calcification and associated with postnatal neurological deterioration, led us to study calcium metabolism in a cohort of 42 children. In this study, we find that 74% of patients had at least one abnormal measurement of calcium metabolism, the commonest being moderately low serum ionized calcium (41%) or high parathyroid hormone (17%). Lower levels of ionized calcium even within the normal range were significantly associated with seizures, and with specific antiepileptics despite normal vitamin D levels. Successive measurements documented substantial intrapersonal fluctuation in indices over time, and DEXA scans were normal in patients with hypocalcemia. Neurohistology from epilepsy surgery in five patients revealed not only intravascular, but perivascular and intraparenchymal mineral deposition and intraparenchymal microvascular disease in addition to previously reported findings. Neuroradiology review clearly demonstrated progressive calcium deposition in individuals over time. These findings and those of the adjoining paper suggest that calcium deposition in the brain of patients with GNAQ/GNA11 mosaicism may not be a nonspecific sign of damage as was previously thought, but may instead reflect the central postnatal pathological process in this disease spectrum.

Mosaic BRAF Fusions Are a Recurrent Cause of Congenital Melanocytic Nevi Targetable by MAPK Pathway Inhibition.

Among children with multiple congenital melanocytic nevi, 25% have no established genetic cause, of whom many develop a hyperproliferative and severely pruritic phenotype resistant to treatment. Gene fusions have been reported in individual cases of congenital melanocytic nevi. We studied 169 patients with congenital melanocytic nevi in this study, 38 of whom were double wild type for pathogenic NRAS/BRAF variants. Nineteen of these 38 patients had sufficient tissue to undergo RNA sequencing, which revealed mosaic BRAF fusions in 11 of 19 patients and mosaic RAF1 fusions in 1 of 19. Recurrently, fusions involved the loss of the 5´ regulatory domain of BRAF or RAF1 but preserved the kinase domain. We validated all cases and detected the fusions in two separate nevi in 5 of 12 patients, confirming clonality. The absence of the fusion in blood in 8 of 12 patients indicated mosaicism. Primary culture of BRAF-fusion nevus cells from 3 of 12 patients demonstrated highly increased MAPK activation, despite only mildly increased BRAF expression, suggesting additional mechanisms of kinase activation. Trametinib quenched MAPK hyperactivation in vitro, and treatment of two patients caused rapid improvement in bulk tissue, improving bodily movement and reducing inflammation and severe pruritus. These findings offer a genetic diagnosis to an additional group of patients and trametinib as a treatment option for the severe associated phenotypes.

Vitamin D status in children with congenital melanocytic nevi.

Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are rare, pigmented birthmarks that can predispose patients to melanoma of the central nervous system and skin. Data from non-CMN melanoma cohorts suggest that vitamin D levels may be connected to outcome, prompting this study of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in plasma samples from 40 children with CMN. While 27% were insufficient and 13% deficient, this was representative of European populations, and UK supplementation guidelines are already in place. Our data support routine vitamin D supplementation for all CMN patients during winter months, without routine serum measurement.

Impact of public exhibition on the perception of birthmarks.

BACKGROUND: The importance of photographs in social media, the steep rise in popularity of tattoos, and the prominence of individuals with visibly different skin in fashion are likely to be changing the landscape of self- and public perception of birthmarks. Study objectives were to assess the impact of a photoshoot and public exhibition on the self-perception of individuals with extensive birthmarks, and to explore the viewing public's reactions. METHODS: Thirty individuals with congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) were recruited internationally. Each had a professional photoshoot portrait with their skin exposed, resulting in a public exhibition in London entitled "How do you C Me Now?" Participants/parents completed pre- and post-questionnaires relating to self-perception and the impact of their birthmarks on behavior. Over 8000 members of the public viewed the exhibition, 464 completing an on-site questionnaire on its effects. RESULTS: All participants/parents rated the experience as positive, valuable and helpful. Scores on self-appreciation and self-confidence were significantly higher after the photo shoot. Members of the general public overwhelmingly reported the exhibition increased their positive feelings towards people with birthmarks. The majority of public respondents also reported that the exhibition made them feel better about their own skin and about their looks in general. CONCLUSION: This unique exhibition and the associated research has provided a striking new perspective on potential psychological interventions for individuals with birthmarks.

Congenital melanocytic naevus syndrome and Dandy-Walker malformation - a mistaken association: case report and literature review.

Congenital melanocytic naevus (CMN) syndrome, previously termed neurocutaneous melanosis, is a rare disease caused by postzygotic mosaic mutations occurring during embryogenesis in precursors of melanocytes. The severity of neurological manifestations in CMN patients is related to central nervous system abnormalities found at magnetic resonance imaging. The association between CMN and Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM) has been described in the literature, but recent advances in imaging and genetics lead to diagnostic criteria revision. In this paper, we aim to re-evaluate the proposed association by reviewing the available literature and present a patient with CMN and a large posterior fossa cyst.

PTPN11 Mosaicism Causes a Spectrum of Pigmentary and Vascular Neurocutaneous Disorders and Predisposes to Melanoma.

Phakomatosis pigmentovascularis is a diagnosis that denotes the coexistence of pigmentary and vascular birthmarks of specific types, accompanied by variable multisystem involvement, including CNS disease, asymmetrical growth, and a predisposition to malignancy. Using a tight phenotypic group and high-depth next-generation sequencing of affected tissues, we discover here clonal mosaic variants in gene PTPN11 encoding SHP2 phosphatase as a cause of phakomatosis pigmentovascularis type III or spilorosea. Within an individual, the same variant is found in distinct pigmentary and vascular birthmarks and is undetectable in blood. We go on to show that the same variants can cause either the pigmentary or vascular phenotypes alone, and drive melanoma development within pigmentary lesions. Protein structure modeling highlights that although variants lead to loss of function at the level of the phosphatase domain, resultant conformational changes promote longer ligand binding. In vitro modeling of the missense variants confirms downstream MAPK pathway overactivation and widespread disruption of human endothelial cell angiogenesis. Importantly, patients with PTPN11 mosaicism theoretically risk passing on the variant to their children as the germline RASopathy Noonan syndrome with lentigines. These findings improve our understanding of the pathogenesis and biology of nevus spilus and capillary malformation syndromes, paving the way for better clinical management.

Germline thymidylate synthase deficiency impacts nucleotide metabolism and causes dyskeratosis congenita.

Dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is an inherited bone-marrow-failure disorder characterized by a triad of mucocutaneous features that include abnormal skin pigmentation, nail dystrophy, and oral leucoplakia. Despite the identification of several genetic variants that cause DC, a significant proportion of probands remain without a molecular diagnosis. In a cohort of eight independent DC-affected families, we have identified a remarkable series of heterozygous germline variants in the gene encoding thymidylate synthase (TYMS). Although the inheritance appeared to be autosomal recessive, one parent in each family had a wild-type TYMS coding sequence. Targeted genomic sequencing identified a specific haplotype and rare variants in the naturally occurring TYMS antisense regulator ENOSF1 (enolase super family 1) inherited from the other parent. Lymphoblastoid cells from affected probands have severe TYMS deficiency, altered cellular deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate pools, and hypersensitivity to the TYMS-specific inhibitor 5-fluorouracil. These defects in the nucleotide metabolism pathway resulted in genotoxic stress, defective transcription, and abnormal telomere maintenance. Gene-rescue studies in cells from affected probands revealed that post-transcriptional epistatic silencing of TYMS is occurring via elevated ENOSF1. These cell and molecular abnormalities generated by the combination of germline digenic variants at the TYMS-ENOSF1 locus represent a unique pathogenetic pathway for DC causation in these affected individuals, whereas the parents who are carriers of either of these variants in a singular fashion remain unaffected.

Mosaic PRKACA duplication causing a novel and distinct phenotype of early-onset Cushing's syndrome and acral cutaneous mucinosis.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We describe a mosaic PRKACA duplication in a young infant who presented with a Carney-like complex: bilateral non-pigmented micronodular adrenal hyperplasia, severe early-onset Cushing's syndrome, and distinct acral soft tissue overgrowth due to cutaneous mucinosis. This represents a novel manifestation of PRKACA disruption and broadens the extra-adrenal phenotype of PRKACA-associated Cushing's syndrome. Our data suggest that Cushing's syndrome phenotypes arising from somatic and germline PRKACA abnormalities can exist on a spectrum. We emphasise the value of ascertaining a genetic diagnosis for PRKACA-mediated adrenal and extra-adrenal disease to guide individualised and targeted care.

Epidermal choristoma: a case series and review of the literature.

Epidermal choristoma is a rare, congenital lesion in which islands of ectopic skin are found within the oral cavity. They present as pigmented macules or papules on the tongue. Histologic appearances are characteristic and benign. We present three cases review the current literature and recommend observation of the lesion rather than complete excision should be considered as a reasonable management option.

Somatic mutations of GNA11 and GNAQ in CTNNB1-mutant aldosterone-producing adenomas presenting in puberty, pregnancy or menopause.

Most aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) have gain-of-function somatic mutations of ion channels or transporters. However, their frequency in aldosterone-producing cell clusters of normal adrenal gland suggests a requirement for codriver mutations in APAs. Here we identified gain-of-function mutations in both CTNNB1 and GNA11 by whole-exome sequencing of 3/41 APAs. Further sequencing of known CTNNB1-mutant APAs led to a total of 16 of 27 (59%) with a somatic p.Gln209His, p.Gln209Pro or p.Gln209Leu mutation of GNA11 or GNAQ. Solitary GNA11 mutations were found in hyperplastic zona glomerulosa adjacent to double-mutant APAs. Nine of ten patients in our UK/Irish cohort presented in puberty, pregnancy or menopause. Among multiple transcripts upregulated more than tenfold in double-mutant APAs was LHCGR, the receptor for luteinizing or pregnancy hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin). Transfections of adrenocortical cells demonstrated additive effects of GNA11 and CTNNB1 mutations on aldosterone secretion and expression of genes upregulated in double-mutant APAs. In adrenal cortex, GNA11/Q mutations appear clinically silent without a codriver mutation of CTNNB1.

Inherited duplications of PPP2R3B predispose to nevi and melanoma via a C21orf91-driven proliferative phenotype.

PURPOSE: Much of the heredity of melanoma remains unexplained. We sought predisposing germline copy-number variants using a rare disease approach. METHODS: Whole-genome copy-number findings in patients with melanoma predisposition syndrome congenital melanocytic nevus were extrapolated to a sporadic melanoma cohort. Functional effects of duplications in PPP2R3B were investigated using immunohistochemistry, transcriptomics, and stable inducible cellular models, themselves characterized using RNAseq, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), reverse phase protein arrays, immunoblotting, RNA interference, immunocytochemistry, proliferation, and migration assays. RESULTS: We identify here a previously unreported genetic susceptibility to melanoma and melanocytic nevi, familial duplications of gene PPP2R3B. This encodes PR70, a regulatory unit of critical phosphatase PP2A. Duplications increase expression of PR70 in human nevus, and increased expression in melanoma tissue correlates with survival via a nonimmunological mechanism. PPP2R3B overexpression induces pigment cell switching toward proliferation and away from migration. Importantly, this is independent of the known microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)-controlled switch, instead driven by C21orf91. Finally, C21orf91 is demonstrated to be downstream of MITF as well as PR70. CONCLUSION: This work confirms the power of a rare disease approach, identifying a previously unreported copy-number change predisposing to melanocytic neoplasia, and discovers C21orf91 as a potentially targetable hub in the control of phenotype switching.