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1.
Exp Dermatol ; 31(8): 1270-1275, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35615778

ABSTRACT

Hair shafts from three trichothiodystrophy (TTD) patients with mutations in the ERCC2 (XPD) gene were examined by transmission electron microscopy. TTD is a rare, recessive disorder with mutations in several genes in the DNA repair/transcription pathway, including ERCC2. Unlike previous studies, the hair shafts were examined after relaxation of their structure by partial disulphide bond reduction in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, permitting improved visualization. Compared with hair shafts of normal phenotype, TTD cuticle cells displayed aberrant marginal bands and exocuticle layers. Clusters of cells stained differently (light versus dark) in the cortex of aberrant shafts, and the keratin macrofibrils appeared much shorter in the cytoplasm. Considerable heterogeneity in these properties was evident among samples and even along the length of single hair shafts. The results are consistent with not only a paucity of high sulphur components, such as keratin-associated proteins, but also a profound imbalance in protein content and organization.


Subject(s)
Hair Diseases , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes , DNA Repair , Hair/metabolism , Hair Diseases/genetics , Hair Diseases/metabolism , Humans , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/genetics , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/metabolism , Ultraviolet Rays , Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein/metabolism
2.
Am J Med Genet A ; 188(12): 3448-3462, 2022 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36103153

ABSTRACT

Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is a rare, autosomal recessive, multisystem disorder of DNA repair and transcription with developmental delay and abnormalities in brain, eye, skin, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems. We followed a cohort of 37 patients with TTD at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2001 to 2019 with a median age at last observation of 12 years (range 2-36). Some children with TTD developed rapidly debilitating hip degeneration (DHD): a distinctive pattern of hip pain, inability to walk, and avascular necrosis on imaging. Ten (27%) of the 37 patients had DHD at median age 8 years (range 5-12), followed by onset of imaging findings at median age 9 years (range 5-13). All 10 had mutations in the ERCC2/XPD gene. In 7 of the 10 affected patients, DHD rapidly became bilateral. DHD was associated with coxa valga, central osteosclerosis with peripheral osteopenia of the skeleton, and contractures/tightness of the lower limbs. Except for one patient, surgical interventions were generally not effective at preventing DHD. Four patients with DHD died at a median age of 11 years (range 9-15). TTD patients with ERCC2/XPD gene mutations have a high risk of musculoskeletal abnormalities and DHD leading to poor outcomes. Monitoring by history, physical examination, imaging, and by physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists may be warranted.


Subject(s)
Bone Diseases, Metabolic , Contracture , Coxa Valga , Osteonecrosis , Osteosclerosis , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes , Child , Humans , Child, Preschool , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/diagnosis , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/genetics , Coxa Valga/complications , Mutation , Contracture/genetics , Contracture/complications , Bone Diseases, Metabolic/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein/genetics
3.
Blood ; 133(26): 2753-2764, 2019 06 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31064750

ABSTRACT

Patients with classic hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoproliferative disorder (HVLPD) typically have high levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in T cells and/or natural killer (NK) cells in blood and skin lesions induced by sun exposure that are infiltrated with EBV-infected lymphocytes. HVLPD is very rare in the United States and Europe but more common in Asia and South America. The disease can progress to a systemic form that may result in fatal lymphoma. We report our 11-year experience with 16 HVLPD patients from the United States and England and found that whites were less likely to develop systemic EBV disease (1/10) than nonwhites (5/6). All (10/10) of the white patients were generally in good health at last follow-up, while two-thirds (4/6) of the nonwhite patients required hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nonwhite patients had later age of onset of HVLPD than white patients (median age, 8 vs 5 years) and higher levels of EBV DNA (median, 1 515 000 vs 250 000 copies/ml) and more often had low numbers of NK cells (83% vs 50% of patients) and T-cell clones in the blood (83% vs 30% of patients). RNA-sequencing analysis of an HVLPD skin lesion in a white patient compared with his normal skin showed increased expression of interferon-γ and chemokines that attract T cells and NK cells. Thus, white patients with HVLPD were less likely to have systemic disease with EBV and had a much better prognosis than nonwhite patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00369421 and #NCT00032513.


Subject(s)
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/pathology , Hydroa Vacciniforme/virology , Lymphoproliferative Disorders/pathology , Lymphoproliferative Disorders/virology , Child , Child, Preschool , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/ethnology , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/immunology , Female , Humans , Lymphoproliferative Disorders/ethnology , Male , White People
4.
BMC Neurol ; 21(1): 393, 2021 Oct 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34627174

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder with defective DNA nucleotide excision repair and associated with a high frequency of skin cancer. Approximately 25% of patients develop progressive neurological degeneration. Complementation groups XP-A and XP-D are most frequently associated with neurological disorders. DESIGN/METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients with XP who were evaluated at NIH from 1986 to 2015 and had nerve conduction studies (NCS). In the complementation groups with peripheral neuropathy, further comparisons of the NCS were made with audiological, brain imaging, neuropsychological assessments that were also performed on most of the patients. Limited neuropathology of XP-A and XP-D patients were examined.. RESULTS: The 33 patients had NCS: XP-A (9 patients), XP-C (7 patients), XP-D (10 patients), XP-E (1 patient), XP-V (4 patients), and XP-unknown (2 patients). Peripheral neuropathy based on nerve conduction studies was documented only in two complementation groups: 78% (7/9) of XP-A patients had a sensorimotor neuropathy while 50% (5/10) of XP-D patients had a sensory neuropathy only. Analysis of sural sensory nerve amplitude in both complementation groups XP-A and XP-D correlated with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), MRI/CT severity, and Full-scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ). Analysis of fibular motor nerve amplitude in complementation XP-A correlated with SNHL and MRI/CT severity. Limited follow-up studies showed gradual loss of NCS responses compared to an earlier and more rapid progression of the hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar brain imaging and audiological findings patients, XP-A and XP-D complementation groups differ in the type of neuropathy, sensorimotor versus sensory alone. A few cases suggest that sensorineural hearing loss may precede abnormal NCS in XP and therefore serve as valuable clinical indicators of XP patients that will later develop peripheral neuropathy.


Subject(s)
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases , Xeroderma Pigmentosum , DNA Repair , Humans , Neural Conduction , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/genetics , Retrospective Studies , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/complications , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/genetics
5.
Pediatr Dermatol ; 38(4): 913-918, 2021 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34105807

ABSTRACT

The availability of genomic sequencing for inherited diseases provides a more complete molecular basis for how an individual's genetic landscape influences clinical outcome. We describe a family where exome sequencing of a 3-year-old boy with clinical features of Cockayne syndrome (CS) confirmed the diagnosis of CS. He also had a mutation consistent with a pre-symptomatic second disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), each potentially affecting multiple organ systems, in addition to a poorly defined variant in fumarate hydratase (FH). Genomic sequencing may reveal coexisting pathogenic mutations and variants which complicate clinical interpretation.


Subject(s)
Cockayne Syndrome , Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 , Child, Preschool , Cockayne Syndrome/diagnosis , Cockayne Syndrome/genetics , Exome/genetics , Genomics , Humans , Male , Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1/genetics , Mutation , Pedigree , Exome Sequencing
6.
Am J Hum Genet ; 98(4): 627-42, 2016 Apr 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26996949

ABSTRACT

The general transcription factor IIE (TFIIE) is essential for transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II) via direct interaction with the basal transcription/DNA repair factor IIH (TFIIH). TFIIH harbors mutations in two rare genetic disorders, the cancer-prone xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) and the cancer-free, multisystem developmental disorder trichothiodystrophy (TTD). The phenotypic complexity resulting from mutations affecting TFIIH has been attributed to the nucleotide excision repair (NER) defect as well as to impaired transcription. Here, we report two unrelated children showing clinical features typical of TTD who harbor different homozygous missense mutations in GTF2E2 (c.448G>C [p.Ala150Pro] and c.559G>T [p.Asp187Tyr]) encoding the beta subunit of transcription factor IIE (TFIIEß). Repair of ultraviolet-induced DNA damage was normal in the GTF2E2 mutated cells, indicating that TFIIE was not involved in NER. We found decreased protein levels of the two TFIIE subunits (TFIIEα and TFIIEß) as well as decreased phosphorylation of TFIIEα in cells from both children. Interestingly, decreased phosphorylation of TFIIEα was also seen in TTD cells with mutations in ERCC2, which encodes the XPD subunit of TFIIH, but not in XP cells with ERCC2 mutations. Our findings support the theory that TTD is caused by transcriptional impairments that are distinct from the NER disorder XP.


Subject(s)
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/genetics , DNA Repair , Transcription Factors, TFII/genetics , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism , DNA Damage , DNA Helicases/genetics , DNA Helicases/metabolism , DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Female , Gene Silencing , Humans , Infant , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Mutation, Missense , Pedigree , Phosphorylation , RNA, Small Interfering/genetics , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism , Transcription Factor TFIIH/genetics , Transcription Factor TFIIH/metabolism , Transcription Factors, TFII/metabolism , Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein/metabolism , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase
10.
Brain ; 136(Pt 1): 194-208, 2013 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23365097

ABSTRACT

To assess the role of DNA repair in maintenance of hearing function and neurological integrity, we examined hearing status, neurological function, DNA repair complementation group and history of acute burning on minimal sun exposure in all patients with xeroderma pigmentosum, who had at least one complete audiogram, examined at the National Institutes of Health from 1971 to 2012. Seventy-nine patients, aged 1-61 years, were diagnosed with xeroderma pigmentosum (n = 77) or xeroderma pigmentosum/Cockayne syndrome (n = 2). A total of 178 audiograms were included. Clinically significant hearing loss (>20 dB) was present in 23 (29%) of 79 patients. Of the 17 patients with xeroderma pigmentosum-type neurological degeneration, 13 (76%) developed hearing loss, and all 17 were in complementation groups xeroderma pigmentosum type A or type D and reported acute burning on minimal sun exposure. Acute burning on minimal sun exposure without xeroderma pigmentosum-type neurological degeneration was present in 18% of the patients (10/55). Temporal bone histology in a patient with severe xeroderma pigmentosum-type neurological degeneration revealed marked atrophy of the cochlear sensory epithelium and neurons. The 19-year mean age of detection of clinically significant hearing loss in the patients with xeroderma pigmentosum with xeroderma pigmentosum-type neurological degeneration was 54 years younger than that predicted by international norms. The four frequency (0.5/1/2/4 kHz) pure-tone average correlated with degree of neurodegeneration (P < 0.001). In patients with xeroderma pigmentosum, aged 4-30 years, a four-frequency pure-tone average ≥10 dB hearing loss was associated with a 39-fold increased risk (P = 0.002) of having xeroderma pigmentosum-type neurological degeneration. Severity of hearing loss parallels neurological decline in patients with xeroderma pigmentosum-type neurological degeneration. Audiometric findings, complementation group, acute burning on minimal sun exposure and age were important predictors of xeroderma pigmentosum-type neurological degeneration. These results provide evidence that DNA repair is critical in maintaining neurological integrity of the auditory system.


Subject(s)
Brain/pathology , DNA Repair , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/physiopathology , Hearing/physiology , Nerve Degeneration/physiopathology , Sunburn/physiopathology , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/physiopathology , Acoustic Stimulation , Adolescent , Adult , Atrophy , Audiometry , Brain/physiopathology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cockayne Syndrome/complications , Cockayne Syndrome/genetics , Cockayne Syndrome/pathology , Cockayne Syndrome/physiopathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/complications , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/genetics , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/pathology , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Nerve Degeneration/complications , Nerve Degeneration/genetics , Nerve Degeneration/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Sunburn/complications , Sunburn/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/complications , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/pathology
11.
J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr ; 59(4): 458-64, 2014 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24918982

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of DNA repair and transcription. Patients have multisystem abnormalities, including alterations in growth and development. This report characterizes the growth and nutritional status of a cohort of children with TTD. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with TTD were evaluated through a natural history study of patients with DNA repair diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Mean length of follow-up was 2.7 years. Retrospective and prospective data on nutritional status and height/weight were collected. RESULTS: In general, patients with TTD had considerable abnormalities in growth, with a mean height-for-age z score of -2.75 and a mean weight-for-age z score of -2.60 at baseline clinical evaluation. The median weight-for-length at baseline was, however, 50th percentile and indicators of adequate nutrition such as serum albumin, hemoglobin, and vitamins D and B12 were largely within normal limits. Changes in growth parameters as children aged were characterized by further separation from standard growth curves (change height-for-age z score/year [-0.18 ± 0.42] and weight-for-age z score/year [-0.36 ± 0.51]). Patients who died during follow-up (n = 5) had significantly lower standardized height (P = 0.03) and weight (P = 0.006), weight-for-length (<0.0001), and higher heart rates (P = 0.02) compared with the remainder of the cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Children with TTD have markedly diminished weight-for-age and height-for-age relative to reference populations. The cause for this stunted growth remains unclear but does not appear to be related to poor nutrient absorption or malnutrition.


Subject(s)
Growth Disorders/epidemiology , Growth , Nutritional Status , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Growth Disorders/etiology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/mortality
12.
Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed ; 30(2-3): 146-52, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24417420

ABSTRACT

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disease of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair with ultraviolet (UV) radiation sensitivity and a 10 000-fold increased risk of skin cancer. Symptoms include: freckle-like pigmentation in sun-exposed skin before age 2 years, severe burns after minimal sun exposure (50% of patients) and damage to exposed surfaces of the eyes with loss of vision and ocular cancer. About 25% of patients develop a progressive neurodegeneration. The combination of an inherited inability to repair UV-induced DNA damage and environmental exposure to UV must occur for cutaneous and ocular symptoms to develop. There is no cure for XP, but many of its manifestations may be reduced or prevented through consistent UV protection; thus XP serves as a model for sun protection of patients with marked photosenstivity. Sun protective clothing including hats, sunglasses and face shields, sun screen lotions and avoidance of environmental sources of UV are cornerstones of prevention of skin and eye damage and cancer. Although XP is a serious disease with the potential for limitation of life expectancy, XP patients can live active lives while at the same time avoiding UV.


Subject(s)
Blindness/prevention & control , DNA Damage , Eye Neoplasms/prevention & control , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Skin Pigmentation , Sunscreening Agents/therapeutic use , Xeroderma Pigmentosum , Animals , Humans , Skin Pigmentation/drug effects , Skin Pigmentation/radiation effects
13.
Hum Mutat ; 34(9): 1250-9, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23661601

ABSTRACT

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer and DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is the most frequent interstitial deletion syndrome. We characterized a novel balanced t(9;22)(p21;q11.2) translocation in a patient with melanoma, DNA repair deficiency, and features of DGS including deafness and malformed inner ears. Using chromosome sorting, we located the 9p21 breakpoint in CDKN2A intron 1. This resulted in underexpression of the tumor suppressor p14 alternate reading frame (p14ARF); the reduced DNA repair was corrected by transfection with p14ARF. Ultraviolet radiation-type p14ARF mutations in his melanoma implicated p14ARF in its pathogenesis. The 22q11.2 breakpoint was located in a palindromic AT-rich repeat (PATRR22). We identified a new gene, FAM230A, that contains PATRR22 within an intron. The 22q11.2 breakpoint was located 800 kb centromeric to TBX1, which is required for inner ear development. TBX1 expression was greatly reduced. The translocation resulted in a chimeric transcript encoding portions of p14ARF and FAM230A. Inhibition of chimeric p14ARF-FAM230A expression increased p14ARF and TBX1 expression and improved DNA repair. Expression of the chimera in normal cells produced dominant negative inhibition of p14ARF. Similar chimeric mRNAs may mediate haploinsufficiency in DGS or dominant negative inhibition of other genes such as those involved in melanoma.


Subject(s)
DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders/genetics , Deafness/genetics , Gene Fusion , Melanoma/genetics , T-Box Domain Proteins/genetics , Translocation, Genetic , Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF/genetics , Base Sequence , Carrier Proteins , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 , DNA Repair-Deficiency Disorders/metabolism , Deafness/metabolism , Genes, p16 , Humans , Male , Melanoma/metabolism , Molecular Sequence Data , RNA, Long Noncoding , Sequence Analysis, DNA , T-Box Domain Proteins/metabolism , Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF/metabolism , Young Adult
14.
Ophthalmology ; 120(7): 1324-36, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23601806

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in DNA repair genes. Clinical manifestations of XP include mild to extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation resulting in inflammation and neoplasia in sun-exposed areas of the skin, mucous membranes, and ocular surfaces. This report describes the ocular manifestations of XP in patients systematically evaluated in the Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-seven participants, aged 1.3 to 63.4 years, referred to the National Eye Institute (NEI) for examination from 1964 to 2011. Eighty-three patients had XP, 3 patients had XP/Cockayne syndrome complex, and 1 patient had XP/trichothiodystrophy complex. METHODS: Complete age- and developmental stage-appropriate ophthalmic examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity; eyelid, ocular surface, and lens pathology; tear film and tear production measures; and cytologic analysis of conjunctival surface swabs. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients, 91% had at least 1 ocular abnormality. The most common abnormalities were conjunctivitis (51%), corneal neovascularization (44%), dry eye (38%), corneal scarring (26%), ectropion (25%), blepharitis (23%), conjunctival melanosis (20%), and cataracts (14%). Thirteen percent of patients had some degree of visual axis impingement, and 5% of patients had no light perception in 1 or both eyes. Ocular surface cancer or a history of ocular surface cancer was present in 10% of patients. Patients with an acute sunburning skin phenotype were less likely to develop conjunctival melanosis and ectropion but more likely to develop neoplastic ocular surface lesions than nonburning patients. Some patients also showed signs of limbal stem cell deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Our longitudinal study reports the ocular status of the largest group of patients with XP systematically examined at 1 facility over an extended period of time. Structural eyelid abnormalities, neoplasms of the ocular surface and eyelids, tear film and tear production abnormalities, ocular surface disease and inflammation, and corneal abnormalities were present in this population. Burning and nonburning patients with XP exhibit different rates of important ophthalmologic findings, including neoplasia. In addition, ophthalmic characteristics can help refine diagnoses in the case of XP complex phenotypes. DNA repair plays a major role in protection of the eye from sunlight-induced damage.


Subject(s)
DNA Repair/physiology , DNA/radiation effects , Eye Diseases/diagnosis , Radiation Injuries/diagnosis , Sunlight/adverse effects , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Cockayne Syndrome/diagnosis , Cockayne Syndrome/etiology , Cockayne Syndrome/prevention & control , Eye Diseases/etiology , Eye Diseases/prevention & control , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Radiation Injuries/etiology , Radiation Injuries/prevention & control , Retrospective Studies , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/diagnosis , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/etiology , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/prevention & control , Ultraviolet Rays/adverse effects , Visual Acuity/physiology , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/etiology , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/prevention & control , Young Adult
15.
Front Oncol ; 13: 1282823, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37954081

ABSTRACT

Background: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a rare disease with defects in DNA repair genes, has >1,000-fold increased risk of ultraviolet-induced skin cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used for treating cancers with large numbers of mutations but may also promote adverse events (AEs). Deficient DNA repair in XP patients may lead to increased numbers of mutations, leading to enhanced efficacy of cancer response or, alternatively, to increased AE in response to ICI. We sought to compare the efficacy and AE of ICI in XP patients with metastatic or unresectable cancers to that of ICI-treated patients in the general population. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed medical records of XP patients treated in the United States and in London (UK). We also reviewed published reports of ICI-treated XP patients and patients in the general population. Results: Metastatic or unresectable cancers in all 22 (100%) XP patients showed regression or remission in response to ICI. The types and frequencies of AE in XP patients were similar to those reported among ICI-treated patients in the general population. However, two XP patients had concurrent additional cancers that did not respond to ICI, two XP patients had cancer recurrence or progression after initial response, and eight XP patients developed new skin cancers during or after ICI treatment. Conclusion: In this retrospective study with small sample size, XP patients demonstrated positive responses to ICI and the treatment was well tolerated but some patients developed new skin cancers while being treated. ICIs can be considered in treating metastatic or unresectable cancers in XP patients.

16.
J Med Genet ; 48(3): 168-76, 2011 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21097776

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The frequency of cancer, neurologic degeneration and mortality in xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients with defective DNA repair was determined in a four decade natural history study. METHODS: All 106 XP patients admitted to the National Institutes of Health from 1971 to 2009 were evaluated from clinical records and follow-up. RESULTS: In the 65 per cent (n=69) of patients with skin cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was increased 10,000-fold and melanoma was increased 2000-fold in patients under age 20. The 9 year median age at diagnosis of first non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (n=64) was significantly younger than the 22 year median age at diagnosis of first melanoma (n=38)-a relative age reversal from the general population suggesting different mechanisms of carcinogenesis between NMSC and melanoma. XP patients with pronounced burning on minimal sun exposure (n=65) were less likely to develop skin cancer than those who did not. This may be related to the extreme sun protection they receive from an earlier age, decreasing their total ultraviolet exposure. Progressive neurologic degeneration was present in 24% (n=25) with 16/25 in complementation group XP-D. The most common causes of death were skin cancer (34%, n=10), neurologic degeneration (31%, n=9), and internal cancer (17%, n=5). The median age at death (29 years) in XP patients with neurodegeneration was significantly younger than those XP patients without neurodegeneration (37 years) (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This 39 year follow-up study of XP patients indicates a major role of DNA repair genes in the aetiology of skin cancer and neurologic degeneration.


Subject(s)
DNA Repair , Melanoma/genetics , Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Male , Melanoma/complications , Middle Aged , Neurodegenerative Diseases/complications , Neurodegenerative Diseases/mortality , Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1/genetics , Retrospective Studies , Skin Neoplasms/complications , Skin Neoplasms/mortality , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/complications , Young Adult
17.
Ophthalmology ; 118(12): 2335-42, 2011 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21959366

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Trichothiodystrophy (TTD) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sulfur-deficient brittle hair and multisystem abnormalities. Many TTD patients have a defect in known DNA repair genes. This report systematically evaluates the ocular manifestations of the largest-to-date cohort of TTD patients and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)/TTD patients. DESIGN: Case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two participants, ages 1 to 30 years, referred to the National Eye Institute for examination from 2001 to 2010; 25 had TTD and 7 had XP/TTD. METHODS: Complete, age- and developmental stage-appropriate ophthalmic examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity (VA), best-corrected VA, ocular motility, state of the ocular surface and corneal endothelial cell density, corneal diameter, and lens assessment. RESULTS: Developmental abnormalities included microcornea (44% TTD), microphthalmia (8% TTD, 14% XP/TTD), nystagmus (40% TTD), and infantile cataracts (56% TTD, 86% XP/TTD). Corrective lenses were required by 65% of the participants, and decreased best-corrected VA was present in 28% of TTD patients and 71% of XP/TTD patients. Degenerative changes included dry eye (32% TTD, 57% XP/TTD) and ocular surface disease identified by ocular surface staining with fluorescein (32% TTD) that usually are exhibited by much older patients in the general population. The 2 oldest TTD patients exhibited clinical signs of retinal/macular degeneration. Four XP/TTD patients presented with corneal neovascularization. CONCLUSIONS: These TTD and XP/TTD study participants had a wide variety of ocular findings including refractive error, infantile cataracts, microcornea, nystagmus, and dry eye/ocular surface disease. Although many of these can be ascribed to abnormal development--likely owing to abnormalities in basal transcription of critical genes--patients may also have a degenerative course. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosures may be found after the references.


Subject(s)
Abnormalities, Multiple/etiology , Eye Abnormalities/etiology , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/complications , Abnormalities, Multiple/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Cataract/congenital , Cell Count , Child , Child, Preschool , Cornea/abnormalities , Endothelium, Corneal/pathology , Eye Abnormalities/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Infant , Macular Degeneration/congenital , Male , Microphthalmos , Nystagmus, Congenital , Vision Disorders/congenital , Visual Acuity/physiology , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/complications , Young Adult
18.
Prenat Diagn ; 31(11): 1046-53, 2011 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21800331

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify the frequency of pregnancy and neonatal complications in pregnancies carrying fetuses affected with trichothiodystrophy (TTD). METHODS: We identified pregnancy and neonatal complications and serum screening results from mothers of TTD patients in a DNA repair diseases study from 2001 to 2011. RESULTS: Pregnancy reports of 27 TTD patients and their 23 mothers were evaluated and 81% of the pregnancies had complications: 56% had preterm delivery, 30% had preeclampsia, 19% had placental abnormalities, 11% had HELLP syndrome, and 4% had an emergency c-section for fetal distress, while 44% had two or more complications. Only 19% of the pregnancies delivered at term without complications. Eight of the ten pregnancies tested had abnormal multiple marker results including elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin. Eighty-five percent of the neonates had complications: 70% were low birth weight (<2500 g), 35% had birth weight < 10 centile for gestational age, 70% had NICU admission, 67% had a collodion membrane, and 31% of the 16 males had cryptorchidism. Cataracts were present in 54% of the TTD patients examined. CONCLUSION: TTD is a multisystem disease that predisposes mothers of affected patients to substantial risks for pregnancy complications and TTD neonates have a high incidence of multiple abnormalities.


Subject(s)
DNA Repair/genetics , Fetal Development/genetics , Pregnancy Complications/genetics , Pregnancy, High-Risk/genetics , Transcription, Genetic , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/genetics , Adult , Female , HELLP Syndrome/blood , HELLP Syndrome/diagnosis , HELLP Syndrome/genetics , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pre-Eclampsia/blood , Pre-Eclampsia/diagnosis , Pre-Eclampsia/genetics , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/blood , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , Pregnancy, High-Risk/blood , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/blood , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/diagnosis , Young Adult
19.
J Invest Dermatol ; 141(4S): 976-984, 2021 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33436302

ABSTRACT

Aging results from intrinsic changes (chronologic) and damage from external exposures (extrinsic) on the human body. The skin is ideal to visually differentiate their unique features. Inherited diseases of DNA repair, such as xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), provide an excellent model for human aging due to the accelerated accumulation of DNA damage. Poikiloderma, atypical lentigines, and skin cancers, the primary cutaneous features of XP, occur in the general population but at a much older age. Patients with XP also exhibit ocular changes secondary to premature photoaging, including ocular surface tumors and pterygium. Internal manifestations of premature aging, including peripheral neuropathy, progressive sensorineural hearing loss, and neurodegeneration, are reported in 25% of patients with XP. Internal malignancies, such as lung cancer, CNS tumors, and leukemia and/or lymphoma, occur at a younger age in patients with XP, as do thyroid nodules. Premature ovarian failure is overrepresented among females with XP, occurring 20 years earlier than in the general population. Taken together, these clinical findings highlight the importance of DNA repair in maintaining genomic integrity. XP is a unique model of human premature aging, which is revealing new insights into aging mechanisms.


Subject(s)
Aging, Premature/genetics , Aging/genetics , DNA Repair , Skin/pathology , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/genetics , Aging, Premature/pathology , DNA Damage , Humans , Mucous Membrane/pathology , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/pathology
20.
Pediatrics ; 148(4)2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34593652

ABSTRACT

A teenage girl had the rare combined phenotype of xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy, resulting from mutations in the XPD (ERCC2) gene involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER). After treatment with antibiotics, including metronidazole for recurrent infections, she showed signs of acute and severe hepatotoxicity, which gradually resolved after withdrawal of the treatment. Cultured skin fibroblasts from the patient revealed cellular sensitivity to killing by metronidazole compared with cells from a range of other donors. This reveals that the metronidazole sensitivity was an intrinsic property of her cells. It is well recognized that patients with Cockayne syndrome, another NER disorder, are at high risk of metronidazole-induced hepatotoxicity, but this had not been reported in individuals with other NER disorders. We would urge extreme caution in the use of metronidazole in the management of individuals with the xeroderma pigmentosum and trichothiodystrophy overlap or trichothiodystrophy phenotypes.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology , Metronidazole/adverse effects , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/complications , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/complications , Adolescent , Female , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Humans , Mutation , Trichothiodystrophy Syndromes/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum/genetics , Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group D Protein/genetics
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