Biallelic variants in CRIPT cause a Rothmund-Thomson-like syndrome with increased cellular senescence.

PURPOSE: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is characterized by poikiloderma, sparse hair, small stature, skeletal defects, cancer, and cataracts, resembling features of premature aging. RECQL4 and ANAPC1 are the 2 known disease genes associated with RTS in >70% of cases. We describe RTS-like features in 5 individuals with biallelic variants in CRIPT (OMIM 615789). METHODS: Two newly identified and 4 published individuals with CRIPT variants were systematically compared with those with RTS using clinical data, computational analysis of photographs, histologic analysis of skin, and cellular studies on fibroblasts. RESULTS: All CRIPT individuals fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for RTS and additionally had neurodevelopmental delay and seizures. Using computational gestalt analysis, CRIPT individuals showed greatest facial similarity with individuals with RTS. Skin biopsies revealed a high expression of senescence markers (p53/p16/p21) and the senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity was elevated in CRIPT-deficient fibroblasts. RECQL4- and CRIPT-deficient fibroblasts showed an unremarkable mitotic progression and unremarkable number of mitotic errors and no or only mild sensitivity to genotoxic stress by ionizing radiation, mitomycin C, hydroxyurea, etoposide, and potassium bromate. CONCLUSION: CRIPT causes an RTS-like syndrome associated with neurodevelopmental delay and epilepsy. At the cellular level, RECQL4- and CRIPT-deficient cells display increased senescence, suggesting shared molecular mechanisms leading to the clinical phenotypes.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome investigated by two nationwide surveys in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by poikiloderma of the face, small stature, sparse scalp hair, juvenile cataract, radial aplasia, and predisposition to cancers. Due to the rarity of RTS, the situation of patients with RTS in Japan has not been elucidated. METHODS: In 2010 and 2020, following the results of a primary questionnaire survey, a secondary questionnaire survey on RTS was conducted nationwide to investigate the number of RTS cases and their associated skin lesions, bone lesions, other clinical features, and quality of life in Japan. RESULTS: In 2010 and 2020, 10 and eight patients with RTS were recruited, respectively. Skin lesions such as poikiloderma, erythema, pigmentation, and abnormal scalp hair were observed in almost all cases. Bone lesions were observed in four cases in the 2010 and 2020 surveys, respectively. Two cases had mutations in the RECQL4 gene in the 2020 survey. CONCLUSIONS: Two nationwide surveys have shown the actual situation of patients with RTS in Japan. Cutaneous and bone manifestations are important for the diagnosis of RTS. However, many patients have no RECQL4 mutations. The novel causative gene of RTS should be further elucidated.

Second Osteosarcoma in a 16-Year-old Woman Diagnosed With Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with an increased predisposition to osteosarcoma (OS) when it is caused by concrete mutations in the RECQL4 gene. Most OSs arise sporadically, but it can also be the first manifestation of a cancer predisposition syndrome as Rothmund Thompson. The early onset, multifocality and metachronism, and a family history of the disease, may suggest a tumor predisposition syndrome. We present the case of a patient with a polymalformative syndrome, who, at 6 years of age, was diagnosed with OS in the right femur. This led to the diagnosis of a RTS type 2. She was cured and surveillance showed no sign of disease. Ten years later, the patient developed a second OS in the contralateral femur. Fortunately, she is in complete remission again after treatment. We describe our patient treatment and recommend a possible screening-surveillance for RTS type II patients.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and osteoma cutis in a patient previously diagnosed as COPS syndrome.

We present a patient with poikiloderma, severe osteoporosis and a mild intellectual disability. At the age of 9 years, this patient was proposed to suffer from a novel disease entity designated as calcinosis cutis, osteoma cutis, poikiloderma and skeletal abnormalities (COPS) syndrome. At the age of 35, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Recently, biallelic pathogenic variants in the RECQL4 gene were detected (c.1048_1049delAG and c.1391-1G>A), confirming a diagnosis of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS). In the brother of this patient, who had a milder phenotype, a similar diagnosis was made. CONCLUSION: We conclude that COPS syndrome never existed as a separate syndrome entity. Instead, osteoma cutis may be regarded as a novel feature of RTS, whereas mild intellectual disability and lymphoma may be underreported parts of the phenotype. What is new: • Osteoma cutis was not a known feature in Rothmund-Thomson patients. • Intellectual disability may be considered a rare feature in RTS; more study is needed. What is known: • RTS is a well-described syndrome caused by mutations in the RECQL4 gene. • Patients with RTS frequently show chromosomal abnormalities like, e.g. mosaic trisomy 8.

Mutations in FAM111B cause hereditary fibrosing poikiloderma with tendon contracture, myopathy, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Congenital poikiloderma is characterized by a combination of mottled pigmentation, telangiectasia, and epidermal atrophy in the first few months of life. We have previously described a South African European-descent family affected by a rare autosomal-dominant form of hereditary fibrosing poikiloderma accompanied by tendon contracture, myopathy, and pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we report the identification of causative mutations in FAM111B by whole-exome sequencing. In total, three FAM111B missense mutations were identified in five kindreds of different ethnic backgrounds. The mutation segregated with the disease in one large pedigree, and mutations were de novo in two other pedigrees. All three mutations were absent from public databases and were not observed on Sanger sequencing of 388 ethnically matched control subjects. The three single-nucleotide mutations code for amino acid changes that are clustered within a putative trypsin-like cysteine/serine peptidase domain of FAM111B. These findings provide evidence of the involvement of FAM111B in congenital poikiloderma and multisystem fibrosis.

Poikiloderma with neutropenia: a case report and review of the literature.

Poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN, OMIM 604173) is a rare autosomal-recessive genodermatosis. Mutations in the C16orf57 gene have been recently identified as the cause. Here we describe a new case of PN in a white patient, review the literature, and point out the attention on importance of differential diagnosis.

[Rare hereditary tumours]. / Ritka örökletes daganatok.

Almost 5-10% of all tumours are hereditary, which manifest in tumour syndrome or neoplasmic complication of a genetic disease. We present a short introduction of some of these rare diseases through our patients with the aspect of the clinical signs, diversities and challenges. These cases indicate that the incidency of malignancies are increased at genetic diseases, it means even multiple neoplasms in the same patient. The therapy does not differ from the ordinary tumour's therapy and the results are nearly the same as in cases without genetic diseases.

A Chinese patient with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder that has been reported in all ethnicities, with several identifiable pathogenic variants. There have been reported cases indicating that RTS may lead to low birth weight in fetuses, but specific data on the fetal period are lacking. Genetic testing for RTS II is currently carried out by identifying pathogenic variants in RECQL4. METHODS: In order to determine the cause, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis on the patient and his parents. Variants detected by WGS were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and examined in family members. RESULTS: After analyzing the WGS data, we found a heterozygous nonsense mutation c.2752G>T (p.Glu918Ter) and a novel frameshift insertion mutation c.1547dupC (p.Leu517AlafsTer23) of RECQL4, which is a known pathogenic/disease-causing variant of RTS. Further validation indicated these were compound heterozygous mutations from parents. CONCLUSION: Our study expands the mutational spectrum of the RECQL4 gene and enriches the phenotype spectrum of Chinese RTS patients. Our information can assist the patient's parents in making informed decisions regarding their future pregnancies. This case offers a new perspective for clinicians to consider whether to perform prenatal diagnosis.

A case of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome originally thought to be a case of Bloom syndrome.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, a heterogeneous genodermatosis with autosomal recessive hereditary pattern, is an uncommon cancer susceptibility genetic syndrome. To date, only 400 cases have been reported in the literature, and the severity of the features varies among individuals with the condition. Here, we describe a 55-year-old male who had been diagnosed with Bloom Syndrome during childhood due to the suggestive physical features such as short stature, chronic facial erythema, poikiloderma in face and extremities, microtia and microcephaly. However, the genetic test demonstrated that the patient carried two pathogenic variants resulting in compound heterozygous in the RECQL4 gene (c.2269C>T and c.2547_2548delGT). He subsequently developed a calcaneal osteosarcoma, which was successfully treated, and has currently been oncologic disease-free for 3 years.

Poikiloderma with neutropenia: report of three cases including one with calcinosis cutis.

Poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN), Clericuzio type (OMIM #604173) is a new, unique genodermatosis first described by Clericuzio et al (Am J Med Genet A, 2011, 155, 337) in Navajo Indian population. This disease is characterized by poikiloderma that usually develops in the first year of life and is associated with nail abnormality, palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, chronic neutropenia, and recurrent infections. The rash typically starts from the extremities and spreads centripetally to involve the trunk, face, and ears. Recently, a homozygous mutation in the C16orf57 gene on chromosome 16q13 was identified as a strong candidate as the gene responsible for PN. We report three cases of PN whose clinical presentations, laboratory investigations, and C16orf57 mutation support the diagnosis of PN. One child has developed multiple painful calcinosis cutis lesions. Early-onset poikiloderma should prompt a complete blood count as a screening test.

Hereditary sclerosing poikiloderma.

Hereditary sclerosing poikiloderma (HSP) is a very rare disease. The clinical features are principally widespread poikiloderma and linear hyperkeratotic and sclerotic bands. We report an 18-yr-old male who presented reticular hyperpigmented lesions on the trunk and extremities since 2-yr-old. Also, linear sclerosing bands appeared on both antecubital and popliteal fossae after yr. Histopathologic finding showed dense sclerotic collagen fibers with telangiectasia in the upper dermis and fragmentations of damaged elastic fibers in the elastic stain, consistent with HSP. We report the first Korean case of HSP.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome: a case series from a tertiary pediatric hospital in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, also known as congenital poikiloderma, is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis with onset in early childhood that affects at a multisystem level. CASE REPORTS: Case 1. A 4-year-old male patient, consanguineous parents, 26-year-old brother with a probable diagnosis of Rothmund-Thompson syndrome. He presented with adactyly of the right thumb, hypoplasia of the left thumb, delayed growth and psychomotor development. At 3 months, he presented rough, dry, sparse hair and erythematous lesions on the face, leaving hyperpigmented and hypopigmented spots with a reticulated pattern. We detected hypoacusis, skeletal alterations, narrow chin, short stature, severe malnutrition, and chronic and asymptomatic hypodontia. Genetic sequencing showed a mutation for the RECQL4 gene, for which a multidisciplinary follow-up was provided by the genetics, gastroenterology, nutrition, endocrinology, stomatology, audiology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, ophthalmology and oncology services. Case 2. A 2-year-old female patient presented facial erythema that spread to the arms and legs at 3 months; skin biopsy showed poikiloderma. She was evaluated by the endocrinology service and followed up for short stature and hypogonadism. A genetic study was not performed. CONCLUSIONS: Rothmund-Thomson syndrome is characterized by atrophy. Only a few cases are reported in the literature. We present two cases of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, emphasizing its clinical and dermatological characteristics.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome de Rothmund-Thomson, también conocido como poiquilodermia congénita, es una rara genodermatosis autosómica recesiva de inicio en la infancia temprana y afectación multisistémica. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Se describen dos casos de pacientes con síndrome de Rothmund-Thomson. Caso 1. Paciente de sexo masculino de 4 años de edad, padres consanguíneos, hermano de 26 años con diagnóstico probable de síndrome de Rothmund-Thompson. Presentó adactilia del pulgar derecho, hipoplasia de pulgar izquierdo, retraso en el crecimiento y retraso del desarrollo psicomotor. A los 3 meses de edad mostraba pelo áspero, seco y escaso, y lesiones eritematosas en la cara, las cuales dejaron manchas hiperpigmentadas e hipopigmentadas con patrón reticulado. Se detectaron hipoacusia, alteraciones esqueléticas, mentón estrecho, talla baja, desnutrición grave e hipodontia crónica y asintomática. La secuenciación genética resultó con mutación para el gen RECQL4, por lo que se dio seguimiento multidisciplinario por los servicios de genética, gastroenterología, nutrición, endocrinología, estomatología, audiología, ortopedia, rehabilitación, oftalmología y oncología. Caso 2. Paciente de sexo femenino de 2 años de edad que a los 3 meses de vida inició con eritema facial que se diseminó a los brazos y la piernas; la biopsia de piel reportó poiquilodermia. Se encuentra en seguimiento por el servicio de endocrinología por talla baja e hipogonadismo. No se realizó estudio genético. CONCLUSIONES: El síndrome de Rothmund-Thomson se caracteriza por atrofia. Existen pocos casos reportados en la literatura. Se presentan dos casos de síndrome de Rothmund-Thomson, enfatizando sus características clínicas y dermatológicas.

Novel pathogenic variants in the RECQL4 gene causing Rothmund-Thomson syndrome in three Chinese patients.

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by poikiloderma, short stature, sparse hair, skeletal abnormalities, and cancer predisposition. Mutations in ANAPC1 or RECQL4 have been identified to underlie RTS. Either Sanger sequencing or next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed for three Chinese RTS patients. Copy number variants were called by the eXome-Hidden Markov Model using read-depth data of NGS, and the putative heterozygous deletion was confirmed by PCR with multiple primers. The breakpoints were identified by Sanger sequencing. All patients presented with characteristic features of poikiloderma, short stature, and sparse hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. In addition, patient 1 had intellectual disability and speech delay, and patient 2 developed osteosarcoma when she was 13 years old. Biallelic RECQL4 variants were identified in all three patients. Five of the six variants were novel, including c.119-1G>A, c.2886-1G>A, c.2290C>T (p.Gln764*), and c.3552dupG (p.Arg1185Glufs*42), and a gross deletion encompassing exons 6 to 10. Our study expands the genetic and clinical spectrums of RTS. Furthermore, we reported the first heterozygous gross deletion in RECQL4.

Inherited skin disorders presenting with poikiloderma.

Poikiloderma is a skin condition that combines atrophy, telangiectasia, and macular pigment changes (hypo- as well as hyperpigmentation). It is often mistaken for mottled pigmentation by general practitioners or nondermatology specialists. Poikiloderma can be a key presenting symptom of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS), dyskeratosis congenita (DC), hereditary sclerosing poikiloderma (HSP), hereditary fibrosing poikiloderma with tendon contractures, myopathy, and pulmonary fibrosis (POIKTMP), xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Bloom syndrome (BS), Kindler syndrome (KS), and Clericuzio-type poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN). In these conditions, poikiloderma starts early in life, usually before the second or third year. They may also be associated with photosensitivity and other significant multi-organ manifestation developed later in life. Poikiloderma could indicate the presence of a genetic disorder with potentially serious consequences. Poikiloderma almost always precedes more severe manifestations of these genodermatoses. Prompt diagnosis at the time of presentation could help to prevent complications and mitigate the course of the disease. This review discusses these to help the practicing clinician manage patients presenting with the symptom. To further facilitate early recognition, this paper also proposes a simple diagnostic algorithm.

Poikiloderma with neutropenia: a novel C16orf57 mutation and clinical diagnostic criteria.

A new syndrome with poikiloderma was described by Clericuzio et al. in 1991.(1) They reported 14 Navajo native Americans, including eight siblings, developing in the first year of life an erythematous rash, which started on the limbs and spread over the trunk and the face. This rash evolved into poikiloderma. All patients had recurrent bacterial infections. First published as Navajo poikiloderma this syndrome is now known as poikiloderma with neutropenia (PN, OMIM 604173). The inheritance is autosomal recessive, and mutations in a new gene, C16orf57, were recently described in two kindreds.(2) Because of the phenotypic overlap between Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) and PN, a few patients have been reclassified as mutations in the RECQL4 gene for RTS were absent.(2-5) Until now 27 patients have been described with clinical PN.(1-3,5-8) Here, we report the sixth family with PN outside the Navajo population. We found the previously unreported mutation c.243G>A, p.W81X in the C16orf57 gene, thus confirming the relation of this gene to the disease.(2,6) Because the molecular genetic diagnosis is not always available, we propose clinical and laboratory diagnostic criteria for PN.

Early blistering, poikiloderma, hypohidrosis, alopecia and exocrine pancreatic hypofunction: a peculiar variant of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome?

A 20-year-old male developed early blistering, poikiloderma, hypohidrosis, alopecia and exocrine pancreatic hypofunction caused by atrophy and fatty replacement of the pancreas. At 5 months of age, he initially presented at the hospital with numerous blisters on his extremities, inguinal and genital area. A biopsy specimen from a vesicular lesion showed a subepidermal bulla. Electron microscopic examinations of a vesicular lesion revealed vacuolar changes of the basal cells without hemidesmosomes. Subsequently, the blisters gradually resolved and healed without scars. At the age of 11, he was admitted for the treatment of cellulitis on his foot and at that time, laboratory examinations detected a decreased level of pancreatic enzymes due to exocrine pancreatic hypofunction. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) showed the pancreas to be atrophic with fatty replacement. A genetic analysis revealed no mutation in his RECQL4 gene, which is responsible for the pathogenesis of Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS). Although marked blister formation and exocrine pancreatic hypofunction are unusual complications of RTS, this case showed many typical clinical features of RTS. Therefore, this case was considered to be a peculiar variant of RTS.

[Premature aging syndromes : From phenotype to gene]. / Syndromes avec vieillissement cutané prématuré : de l'expression phénotypique au gène.

Syndromes involving premature skin aging provide outstanding models for a better understanding of both skin senescence and of the aging process in general. Although initially merely descriptive, these rare or indeed very rare conditions have been studied in detail and their genetic and biochemical background has been elucidated. The new data are now sufficiently accurate to allow the development of a new classification based on the underlying biochemical pathomechanisms. Three main subsets can be distinguished: progeroid syndromes with direct or indirect impairment of lamin A (progeria), syndromes involving dysfunction of the excision/repair apparatus (Cockayne syndrome), and conditions involving chromosome instability, particularly in the event of helicase mutation (Werner and Rothmund-Thomson syndromes, ataxia-telangiectasia). The diagnosis is still based on clinical examination in most cases, with the dermatologist commonly playing a key role because of the frequently obvious nature of skin changes, whereas other abnormalities may be less clear-cut or initially absent. Specialized genetic studies to confirm phenotypic hypothesis are increasingly available thanks to the development of reference centres. Although treatment continues to be symptomatic in most cases, recent advances in basic research have raised new hopes regarding targeted therapies, notably in progeria.

Aging in Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and related RECQL4 genetic disorders.

Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome (RTS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease which manifests several clinical features of accelerated aging. These findings include atrophic skin and pigment changes, alopecia, osteopenia, cataracts, and an increased incidence of cancer for patients carrying RECQL4 germline mutations. Mutations in RECQL4 are responsible for the majority of cases of RTS. RECQL4 belongs to RECQ DNA helicase family which has been shown to participate in many aspects of DNA metabolism. In the past several years, accumulated evidence indicates that RECQL4 is important not only in cancer development but also in the aging process. In this review, based on recent research data, we summarize the common aging findings in RTS patients and propose possible mechanisms to explain the aging features in these patients.