Functional benefit of CRISPR-Cas9-induced allele deletion for RYR1 dominant mutation.

More than 700 pathogenic or probably pathogenic variations have been identified in the RYR1 gene causing various myopathies collectively known as "RYR1-related myopathies." There is no treatment for these myopathies, and gene therapy stands out as one of the most promising approaches. In the context of a dominant form of central core disease due to a RYR1 mutation, we aimed at showing the functional benefit of inactivating specifically the mutated RYR1 allele by guiding CRISPR-Cas9 cleavages onto frequent single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) segregating on the same chromosome. Whole-genome sequencing was used to pinpoint SNPs localized on the mutant RYR1 allele and identified specific CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs. Lentiviruses encoding these guide RNAs and the SpCas9 nuclease were used to transduce immortalized patient myoblasts, inducing the specific deletion of the mutant RYR1 allele. The efficiency of the deletion was assessed at DNA and RNA levels, and at the functional level after monitoring calcium release induced by the stimulation of the RyR1-channel. This study provides in cellulo proof of concept regarding the benefits of mutant RYR1 allele deletion, in the case of a dominant RYR1 mutation, from both a molecular and functional perspective, and could apply potentially to 20% of all patients with a RYR1 mutation.

The clinical and genetic spectrum of autosomal-recessive TOR1A-related disorders.

In the field of rare diseases, progress in molecular diagnostics led to the recognition that variants linked to autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative diseases of later onset can, in the context of biallelic inheritance, cause devastating neurodevelopmental disorders and infantile or childhood-onset neurodegeneration. TOR1A-associated arthrogryposis multiplex congenita 5 (AMC5) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder arising from biallelic variants in TOR1A, a gene that in the heterozygous state is associated with torsion dystonia-1 (DYT1 or DYT-TOR1A), an early-onset dystonia with reduced penetrance. While 15 individuals with AMC5-TOR1A have been reported (less than 10 in detail), a systematic investigation of the full disease-associated spectrum has not been conducted. Here, we assess the clinical, radiological and molecular characteristics of 57 individuals from 40 families with biallelic variants in TOR1A. Median age at last follow-up was 3 years (0-24 years). Most individuals presented with severe congenital flexion contractures (95%) and variable developmental delay (79%). Motor symptoms were reported in 79% and included lower limb spasticity and pyramidal signs, as well as gait disturbances. Facial dysmorphism was an integral part of the phenotype, with key features being a broad/full nasal tip, narrowing of the forehead and full cheeks. Analysis of disease-associated manifestations delineated a phenotypic spectrum ranging from normal cognition and mild gait disturbance to congenital arthrogryposis, global developmental delay, intellectual disability, absent speech and inability to walk. In a subset, the presentation was consistent with foetal akinesia deformation sequence with severe intrauterine abnormalities. Survival was 71%, with higher mortality in males. Death occurred at a median age of 1.2 months (1 week-9 years), due to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest or sepsis. Analysis of brain MRI studies identified non-specific neuroimaging features, including a hypoplastic corpus callosum (72%), foci of signal abnormality in the subcortical and periventricular white matter (55%), diffuse white matter volume loss (45%), mega cisterna magna (36%) and arachnoid cysts (27%). The molecular spectrum included 22 distinct variants, defining a mutational hotspot in the C-terminal domain of the Torsin-1A protein. Genotype-phenotype analysis revealed an association of missense variants in the 3-helix bundle domain to an attenuated phenotype, while missense variants near the Walker A/B motif as well as biallelic truncating variants were linked to early death. In summary, this systematic cross-sectional analysis of a large cohort of individuals with biallelic TOR1A variants across a wide age-range delineates the clinical and genetic spectrum of TOR1A-related autosomal-recessive disease and highlights potential predictors for disease severity and survival.

Gene therapies for RyR1-related myopathies.

Myopathies related to variations in the RYR1 gene are genetic diseases for which the therapeutic options are sparse, in part because of the very large size of the gene and protein, and of the distribution of variations all along the sequence. Taking advantage of the progress made in the gene therapy field, different approaches can be applied to the different genetic variations, either at the mRNA level or directly at the DNA level, specifically with the new gene editing tools. Some of those have already been tested in cellulo and/or in vivo, and for the development of the most innovative gene editing technology, inspiration can be sought in other genetic diseases.

Huntingtin regulates calcium fluxes in skeletal muscle.

The expression of the Huntingtin protein, well known for its involvement in the neurodegenerative Huntington's disease, has been confirmed in skeletal muscle. The impact of HTT deficiency was studied in human skeletal muscle cell lines and in a mouse model with inducible and muscle-specific HTT deletion. Characterization of calcium fluxes in the knock-out cell lines demonstrated a reduction in excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, related to an alteration in the coupling between the dihydropyridine receptor and the ryanodine receptor, and an increase in the amount of calcium stored within the sarcoplasmic reticulum, linked to the hyperactivity of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). Immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated an association of HTT with junctophilin 1 (JPH1) and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), both providing clues on the functional effects of HTT deletion on calcium fluxes. Characterization of muscle strength and muscle anatomy of the muscle-specific HTT-KO mice demonstrated that HTT deletion induced moderate muscle weakness and mild muscle atrophy associated with histological abnormalities, similar to the phenotype observed in tubular aggregate myopathy. Altogether, this study points toward the hypotheses of the involvement of HTT in EC coupling via its interaction with JPH1, and on SOCE via its interaction with JPH1 and/or STIM1.

Diagnostic workup in children with arthrogryposis: description of practices from a single reference centre, comparison with literature and suggestion of recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) refers to a clinical presentation of congenital contractures involving two or more body areas. More than 400 distinct conditions may lead to AMC, making the aetiological diagnosis challenging. The objective of this work was to set up evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of AMC by taking advantage of both data from our nation-wide cohort of children with AMC and from the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-centre observational study. Patients had been evaluated at least once at a paediatric age in the AMC clinic of Grenoble University Hospital between 2007 and 2019. After gathering data about their diagnostic procedure, a literature review was performed for each paraclinical investigation to discuss their relevance. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were included, 43% had Amyoplasia, 27% had distal arthrogryposis and 30% had other forms. A definitive aetiological diagnosis was available for 66% of cases. We recommend a two-time diagnostic process: first, non-invasive investigations that aim at classifying patients into one of the three groups, and second, selected investigations targeting a subset of patients. CONCLUSION: The aetiological management for patients with AMC remains arduous. This process will be facilitated by the increasing use of next-generation sequencing combined with detailed phenotyping. Invasive investigations should be avoided because of their limited yield.

Prenatal diagnosis of Lowe syndrome in a male fetus with isolated bilateral cataract.

Background: Lowe syndrome is a rare disease characterized by the association of congenital cataract, hypotonia, followed by global psychomotor delay and intellectual disability, as well as progressive renal dysfunction, and renal failure occurring at around 20 years of age. Case presentation: We discuss the case of a male fetus diagnosed with isolated bilateral cataract on the sonography performed at 21 + 5 weeks of gestation, confirmed by a fetal MRI at 23 weeks of gestation.After ruling out infectious etiologies, a genetic consult was conducted at 26 weeks of gestation, and an amniocentesis was realized to search for a chromosomal cause, Norrie's disease and Lowe syndrome by Sanger analysis. A c.1351G > A (p.Asp451Asn) hemizygous mutation in OCRL gene was identified, inherited from the mother, which led to the diagnosis of Lowe syndrome in the fetus. Conclusions: This is the first case of Lowe syndrome diagnosed prenatally on an isolated cataract, which allows the discussion of a more extensive etiological research when a male fetus is diagnosed with isolated bilateral cataract, by including notably a systematic analysis of the OCRL gene.

NGS-driven molecular diagnosis of heterogeneous hereditary neurological disorders reveals novel and known variants in disease-causing genes.

Hereditary neurological disorders (HNDs) are a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders. These disorders arise from the impaired function of the central or peripheral nervous system due to aberrant electrical impulses. More than 600 various neurological disorders, exhibiting a wide spectrum of overlapping clinical presentations depending on the organ(s) involved, have been documented. Owing to this clinical heterogeneity, diagnosing these disorders has been a challenge for both clinicians and geneticists and a large number of patients are either misdiagnosed or remain entirely undiagnosed. Contribution of genetics to neurological disorders has been recognized since long; however, the complete picture of the underlying molecular bases are under-explored. The aim of this study was to accurately diagnose 11 unrelated Pakistani families with various HNDs deploying NGS as a first step approach. Using exome sequencing and gene panel sequencing, we successfully identified disease-causing genomic variants these families. We report four novel variants, one each in, ECEL1, NALCN, TBR1 and PIGP in four of the pedigrees. In the rest of the seven families, we found five previously reported pathogenic variants in POGZ, FA2H, PLA2G6 and CYP27A1. Of these, three families segregate a homozygous 18 bp in-frame deletion of FA2H, indicating a likely founder mutation segregating in Pakistani population. Genotyping for this mutation can help low-cost population wide screening in the corresponding regions of the country. Our findings not only expand the existing repertoire of mutational spectrum underlying neurological disorders but will also help in genetic testing of individuals with HNDs in other populations.

Severe ACTA1-related nemaline myopathy: intranuclear rods, cytoplasmic bodies, and enlarged perinuclear space as characteristic pathological features on muscle biopsies.

Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a muscle disorder with broad clinical and genetic heterogeneity. The clinical presentation of affected individuals ranges from severe perinatal muscle weakness to milder childhood-onset forms, and the disease course and prognosis depends on the gene and mutation type. To date, 14 causative genes have been identified, and ACTA1 accounts for more than half of the severe NM cases. ACTA1 encodes α-actin, one of the principal components of the contractile units in skeletal muscle. We established a homogenous cohort of ten unreported families with severe NM, and we provide clinical, genetic, histological, and ultrastructural data. The patients manifested antenatal or neonatal muscle weakness requiring permanent respiratory assistance, and most deceased within the first months of life. DNA sequencing identified known or novel ACTA1 mutations in all. Morphological analyses of the muscle biopsy specimens showed characteristic features of NM histopathology including cytoplasmic and intranuclear rods, cytoplasmic bodies, and major myofibrillar disorganization. We also detected structural anomalies of the perinuclear space, emphasizing a physiological contribution of skeletal muscle α-actin to nuclear shape. In-depth investigations of the nuclei confirmed an abnormal localization of lamin A/C, Nesprin-1, and Nesprin-2, forming the main constituents of the nuclear lamina and the LINC complex and ensuring nuclear envelope integrity. To validate the relevance of our findings, we examined muscle samples from three previously reported ACTA1 cases, and we identified the same set of structural aberrations. Moreover, we measured an increased expression of cardiac α-actin in the muscle samples from the patients with longer lifespan, indicating a potential compensatory effect. Overall, this study expands the genetic and morphological spectrum of severe ACTA1-related nemaline myopathy, improves molecular diagnosis, highlights the enlargement of the perinuclear space as an ultrastructural hallmark, and indicates a potential genotype/phenotype correlation.

Diagnostic work-up and phenotypic characteristics of a family with variable severity of distal arthrogryposis type 2B (Sheldon-Hall syndrome) and TNNT3 pathogenic variant.

Background: Sheldon-Hall syndrome (SHS) or distal arthrogryposis 2B (DA2B) is a rare clinically and genetically heterogeneous multiple congenital contracture syndrome characterized by contractures of the distal joints of the limbs and mild facial involvement, due to pathogenic variants in genes encoding the fast-twitch skeletal muscle contractile myofiber complex (TNNT3, TNNI2, TMP2, and MYH3 genes). Patients and methods: A 16-year-old boy with a history of congenital distal arthrogryposis developed severe kyphoscoliosis and respiratory insufficiency. His mother and younger sister had phenotypes compatible with SHS but to a much lesser extent. Diagnostic work-up included physical examination and whole-body muscular MRI (WBMRI) in all three patients and electroneuromyography (ENMG) and paravertebral muscle biopsy in the proband. DNA sequencing was used to confirm the diagnosis. Results: Physical examination suggested the diagnosis of SHS. No muscle signal abnormalities were found in WBMRI. Large motor unit potentials and reduced recruitment suggestive of neurogenic changes were observed on needle EMG in distal and paravertebral muscles in the proband. DNA sequencing revealed a pathogenic variant in TNNT3 (c.187C>T), which segregated as a dominant trait with the phenotype. Discussion: This is the first report on neurogenic features in a patient with DA2B and a pathogenic variant in TNNT3 encoding the fast-twitch skeletal muscle contractile myofiber complex. A superimposed length-dependent motor nerve involvement was unexpected. Whether developmental disarrangements in number, distribution, or innervation of the motor unit in fetal life might lead to pseudo-neurogenic EMG features warrants further studies, as well as the role of genetic modifiers in SHS variability.

Characterization of Loss-Of-Function KCNJ2 Mutations in Atypical Andersen Tawil Syndrome.

Andersen-Tawil Syndrome (ATS) is a rare disease defined by the association of cardiac arrhythmias, periodic paralysis and dysmorphic features, and is caused by KCNJ2 loss-of-function mutations. However, when extracardiac symptoms are atypical or absent, the patient can be diagnosed with Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), a rare arrhythmia at high risk of sudden death, mostly due to RYR2 mutations. The identification of KCNJ2 variants in CPVT suspicion is very rare but important because beta blockers, the cornerstone of CPVT therapy, could be less efficient. We report here the cases of two patients addressed for CPVT-like phenotypes. Genetic investigations led to the identification of p. Arg82Trp and p. Pro186Gln de novo variants in the KCNJ2 gene. Functional studies showed that both variants forms of Kir2.1 monomers act as dominant negative and drastically reduced the activity of the tetrameric channel. We characterize here a new pathogenic variant (p.Pro186Gln) of KCNJ2 gene and highlight the interest of accurate cardiologic evaluation and of attention to extracardiac signs to distinguish CPVT from atypical ATS, and guide therapeutic decisions. We also confirm that the KCNJ2 gene must be investigated during CPVT molecular analysis.

A recurrent RYR1 mutation associated with early-onset hypotonia and benign disease course.

The ryanodine receptor RyR1 is the main sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channel in skeletal muscle and acts as a connecting link between electrical stimulation and Ca2+-dependent muscle contraction. Abnormal RyR1 activity compromises normal muscle function and results in various human disorders including malignant hyperthermia, central core disease, and centronuclear myopathy. However, RYR1 is one of the largest genes of the human genome and accumulates numerous missense variants of uncertain significance (VUS), precluding an efficient molecular diagnosis for many patients and families. Here we describe a recurrent RYR1 mutation previously classified as VUS, and we provide clinical, histological, and genetic data supporting its pathogenicity. The heterozygous c.12083C>T (p.Ser4028Leu) mutation was found in thirteen patients from nine unrelated congenital myopathy families with consistent clinical presentation, and either segregated with the disease in the dominant families or occurred de novo. The affected individuals essentially manifested neonatal or infancy-onset hypotonia, delayed motor milestones, and a benign disease course differing from classical RYR1-related muscle disorders. Muscle biopsies showed unspecific histological and ultrastructural findings, while RYR1-typical cores and internal nuclei were seen only in single patients. In conclusion, our data evidence the causality of the RYR1 c.12083C>T (p.Ser4028Leu) mutation in the development of an atypical congenital myopathy with gradually improving motor function over the first decades of life, and may direct molecular diagnosis for patients with comparable clinical presentation and unspecific histopathological features on the muscle biopsy.

Second Report of Chronic Granulomatous Disease in Jordan: Clinical and Genetic Description of 31 Patients From 21 Different Families, Including Families From Lybia and Iraq.

Chronic granulomatous Disease (CGD) is a rare innate immunodeficiency disorder caused by mutations in one of the six genes (CYBA, CYBB, NCF1, NCF2, NCF4, and CYBC1/EROS) encoding the superoxide-producing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase complex in phagocytes. In the Western population, the most prevalent form of CGD (about two-thirds of all cases) is the X-linked form (X-CGD) caused by mutations in CYBB. The autosomal recessive forms (AR-CGD), due to mutations in the other genes, collectively account for the remaining one-third of CGD cases. We investigated the clinical and molecular features of 22 Jordanian, 7 Libyan, and 2 Iraqi CGD patients from 21 different families. In addition, 11 sibling patients from these families were suspected to have been died from CGD as suggested by their familial and clinical history. All patients except 9 were children of consanguineous parents. Most of the patients suffered from AR-CGD, with mutations in CYBA, NCF1, and NCF2, encoding p22 phox , p47 phox , and p67 phox proteins, respectively. AR-CGD was the most frequent form, in Jordan probably because consanguineous marriages are common in this country. Only one patient from non-consanguineous parents suffered from an X910 CGD subtype (0 indicates no protein expression). AR670 CGD and AR220 CGD appeared to be the most frequently found sub-types but also the most severe clinical forms compared to AR470 CGD. As a geographical clustering of 11 patients from eight Jordanian families exhibited the c.1171_1175delAAGCT mutation in NCF2, segregation analysis with nine polymorphic markers overlapping NCF2 indicates that a common ancestor has arisen ~1,075 years ago.

Role of oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL) protein in megakaryocyte maturation, platelet production and functions: a study in patients with Lowe syndrome.

Lowe syndrome (LS) is an oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe (OCRL1) genetic disorder resulting in a defect of the OCRL protein, a phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 5-phosphatase containing various domains including a Rho GTPase-activating protein (RhoGAP) homology domain catalytically inactive. We previously reported surgery-associated bleeding in patients with LS, suggestive of platelet dysfunction, accompanied with a mild thrombocytopenia in several patients. To decipher the role of OCRL in platelet functions and in megakaryocyte (MK) maturation, we conducted a case-control study on 15 patients with LS (NCT01314560). While all had a drastically reduced expression of OCRL, this deficiency did not affect platelet aggregability, but resulted in delayed thrombus formation on collagen under flow conditions, defective platelet spreading on fibrinogen and impaired clot retraction. We evidenced alterations of the myosin light chain phosphorylation (P-MLC), with defective Rac1 activity and, inversely, elevated active RhoA. Altered cytoskeleton dynamics was also observed in cultured patient MKs showing deficient proplatelet extension with increased P-MLC that was confirmed using control MKs transfected with OCRL-specific small interfering(si)RNA (siOCRL). Patients with LS also had an increased proportion of circulating barbell-shaped proplatelets. Our present study establishes that a deficiency of the OCRL protein results in a defective actomyosin cytoskeleton reorganisation in both MKs and platelets, altering both thrombopoiesis and some platelet responses to activation necessary to ensure haemostasis.

Clinical phenotype and loss of the slow skeletal muscle troponin T in three new patients with recessive TNNT1 nemaline myopathy.

BACKGROUND: Congenital nemaline myopathies are rare pathologies characterised by muscle weakness and rod-shaped inclusions in the muscle fibres. METHODS: Using next-generation sequencing, we identified three patients with pathogenic variants in the Troponin T type 1 (TNNT1) gene, coding for the troponin T (TNT) skeletal muscle isoform. RESULTS: The clinical phenotype was similar in all patients, associating hypotonia, orthopaedic deformities and progressive chronic respiratory failure, leading to early death. The anatomopathological phenotype was characterised by a disproportion in the muscle fibre size, endomysial fibrosis and nemaline rods. Molecular analyses of TNNT1 revealed a homozygous deletion of exons 8 and 9 in patient 1; a heterozygous nonsense mutation in exon 9 and retention of part of intron 4 in muscle transcripts in patient 2; and a homozygous, very early nonsense mutation in patient 3.Western blot analyses confirmed the absence of the TNT protein resulting from these mutations. DISCUSSION: The clinical and anatomopathological presentations of our patients reinforce the homogeneous character of the phenotype associated with recessive TNNT1 mutations. Previous studies revealed an impact of recessive variants on the tropomyosin-binding affinity of TNT. We report in our patients a complete loss of TNT protein due to open reading frame disruption or to post-translational degradation of TNT.

In vivo RyR1 reduction in muscle triggers a core-like myopathy.

Mutations in the RYR1 gene, encoding the skeletal muscle calcium channel RyR1, lead to congenital myopathies, through expression of a channel with abnormal permeability and/or in reduced amount, but the direct functional whole organism consequences of exclusive reduction in RyR1 amount have never been studied. We have developed and characterized a mouse model with inducible muscle specific RYR1 deletion. Tamoxifen-induced recombination in the RYR1 gene at adult age resulted in a progressive reduction in the protein amount reaching a stable level of 50% of the initial amount, and was associated with a progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Measurement of calcium fluxes in isolated muscle fibers demonstrated a reduction in the amplitude of RyR1-related calcium release mirroring the reduction in the protein amount. Alterations in the muscle structure were observed, with fibers atrophy, abnormal mitochondria distribution and membrane remodeling. An increase in the expression level of many proteins was observed, as well as an inhibition of the autophagy process. This model demonstrates that RyR1 reduction is sufficient to recapitulate most features of Central Core Disease, and accordingly similar alterations were observed in muscle biopsies from Dusty Core Disease patients (a subtype of Central Core Disease), pointing to common pathophysiological mechanisms related to RyR1 reduction.

Pathogenic Variants in the Myosin Chaperone UNC-45B Cause Progressive Myopathy with Eccentric Cores.

The myosin-directed chaperone UNC-45B is essential for sarcomeric organization and muscle function from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. The pathological impact of UNC-45B in muscle disease remained elusive. We report ten individuals with bi-allelic variants in UNC45B who exhibit childhood-onset progressive muscle weakness. We identified a common UNC45B variant that acts as a complex hypomorph splice variant. Purified UNC-45B mutants showed changes in folding and solubility. In situ localization studies further demonstrated reduced expression of mutant UNC-45B in muscle combined with abnormal localization away from the A-band towards the Z-disk of the sarcomere. The physiological relevance of these observations was investigated in C. elegans by transgenic expression of conserved UNC-45 missense variants, which showed impaired myosin binding for one and defective muscle function for three. Together, our results demonstrate that UNC-45B impairment manifests as a chaperonopathy with progressive muscle pathology, which discovers the previously unknown conserved role of UNC-45B in myofibrillar organization.

Mutations in MYLPF Cause a Novel Segmental Amyoplasia that Manifests as Distal Arthrogryposis.

We identified ten persons in six consanguineous families with distal arthrogryposis (DA) who had congenital contractures, scoliosis, and short stature. Exome sequencing revealed that each affected person was homozygous for one of two different rare variants (c.470G>T [p.Cys157Phe] or c.469T>C [p.Cys157Arg]) affecting the same residue of myosin light chain, phosphorylatable, fast skeletal muscle (MYLPF). In a seventh family, a c.487G>A (p.Gly163Ser) variant in MYLPF arose de novo in a father, who transmitted it to his son. In an eighth family comprised of seven individuals with dominantly inherited DA, a c.98C>T (p.Ala33Val) variant segregated in all four persons tested. Variants in MYLPF underlie both dominant and recessively inherited DA. Mylpf protein models suggest that the residues associated with dominant DA interact with myosin whereas the residues altered in families with recessive DA only indirectly impair this interaction. Pathological and histological exam of a foot amputated from an affected child revealed complete absence of skeletal muscle (i.e., segmental amyoplasia). To investigate the mechanism for this finding, we generated an animal model for partial MYLPF impairment by knocking out zebrafish mylpfa. The mylpfa mutant had reduced trunk contractile force and complete pectoral fin paralysis, demonstrating that mylpf impairment most severely affects limb movement. mylpfa mutant muscle weakness was most pronounced in an appendicular muscle and was explained by reduced myosin activity and fiber degeneration. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that partial loss of MYLPF function can lead to congenital contractures, likely as a result of degeneration of skeletal muscle in the distal limb.

Variations in the TRPV1 gene are associated to exertional heat stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS) is one of the top three causes of sudden death in athletes. Extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors have been identified but the genetic causes still remain unclear. Our aim was to identify genes responsible for EHS, which is a necessary step to identify patients at risk and prevent crises. DESIGN: Genetic and functional laboratory studies METHODS: Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was performed to search for candidate genes in a cohort of 15 soldiers who had a documented EHS episode. In silico and in vitro functional studies were performed to evaluate the effect of mutations identified in the candidate gene TRPV1. RESULTS: WES led to the identification of two missense variations in the TRPV1 gene. These variations were very rare or unreported in control databases and located in critical domains of the protein. In vitro functional studies revealed that both variations induce a strong modification of the channel response to one of its natural agonist, the capsaicin. CONCLUSIONS: We evidenced mutations altering channel properties of the TRPV1 gene and demonstrated that TRPV1, which is involved in thermoregulation and nociception, is a new candidate gene for EHS. Our data provide the bases to explore genetic causes and molecular mechanisms governing the pathophysiology of EHS.

Association of fingerprint bodies with rods in a case with mutations in the LMOD3 gene.

Fingerprint bodies are observed in a variety of clinical situations with no definite genetic cause identified so far. We report for the first time the association of fingerprint bodies with rods in a patient who developed a slowly progressive myopathy affecting the face and limb extremities. Ultrastructural examination first disclosed fingerprint bodies and on a second biopsy, associated cytoplasmic bodies and rods. Next Generation Sequencing panel of congenital nemaline myopathy genes allowed the identification of two novel variants, a deleterious missense variant (c.1628G>T, p.Arg543Leu) located in the WASP-homology 2 domain, and a deletion (c.366delG, p.Lys122AsnFs*6) in the LMOD3 gene, generally causing severe nemaline myopathy with antenatal onset and early death. Recently, a less severe phenotype similar to our case has been reported. Our study confirms the existence of milder phenotypes linked to LMOD3 mutations and underlines that fingerprint bodies, though not specific, may be an early ultrastructural marker that could be linked, among others, to nemaline myopathy.