Whole exome sequencing in a sample of Peruvian patients diagnosed with epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a complex and heterogeneous dermatological disease. Four main types of EB have been described, each of them with distinct characteristics: EB simplex (EBS), dystrophic EB (DEB), junctional EB (JEB) and Kindler EB (KEB). Each main type varies in its manifestations, severity, and genetic abnormality. METHODS: We sought mutations in 19 genes known to cause EB and 10 genes associated with other dermatologic diseases in 35 Peruvian pediatric patients of a rich Amerindian genetic background. Whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-four of 35 families revealed an EB mutation. Dystrophic EB was the most frequently diagnosed type, with 19 (56%) patients, followed by EBS (35%), JEB (6%), and KEB (3%). We found 37 mutations in seven genes; 27 (73%) were missense mutations; 22 (59%) were novel mutations. Five cases changed their initial diagnosis of EBS. Four were reclassified as DEB and one as JEB. Inspection into other non-EB genes revealed a variant, c.7130C>A, in the gene FLGR2, which was present in 31 of the 34 patients (91%). CONCLUSION: We were able to confirm and identify pathological mutations in 34 of 35 patients.

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa: update on the clinical and genetic aspects

Abstract Inherited epidermolysis bullosa is a group of genetic diseases characterized by skin fragility and blistering on the skin and mucous membranes in response to minimal trauma. Epidermolysis bullosa is clinically and genetically very heterogeneous, being classified into four main types according to the layer of skin in which blistering occurs: epidermolysis bullosa simplex (intraepidermal), junctional epidermolysis bullosa (within the lamina lucida of the basement membrane), dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (below the basement membrane), and Kindler epidermolysis bullosa (mixed skin cleavage pattern). Furthermore, epidermolysis bullosa is stratified into several subtypes, which consider the clinical characteristics, the distribution of the blisters, and the severity of cutaneous and extracutaneous signs. Pathogenic variants in at least 16 genes that encode proteins essential for the integrity and adhesion of skin layers have already been associated with different subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa. The marked heterogeneity of the disease, which includes phenotypes with a broad spectrum of severity and many causal genes, hinders its classification and diagnosis. For this reason, dermatologists and geneticists regularly review and update the classification criteria. This review aimed to update the state of the art on inherited epidermolysis bullosa, with a special focus on the associated clinical and genetic aspects, presenting data from the most recent reclassification consensus, published in 2020.

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa: update on the clinical and genetic aspects.

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa is a group of genetic diseases characterized by skin fragility and blistering on the skin and mucous membranes in response to minimal trauma. Epidermolysis bullosa is clinically and genetically very heterogeneous, being classified into four main types according to the layer of skin in which blistering occurs: epidermolysis bullosa simplex (intraepidermal), junctional epidermolysis bullosa (within the lamina lucida of the basement membrane), dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (below the basement membrane), and Kindler epidermolysis bullosa (mixed skin cleavage pattern). Furthermore, epidermolysis bullosa is stratified into several subtypes, which consider the clinical characteristics, the distribution of the blisters, and the severity of cutaneous and extracutaneous signs. Pathogenic variants in at least 16 genes that encode proteins essential for the integrity and adhesion of skin layers have already been associated with different subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa. The marked heterogeneity of the disease, which includes phenotypes with a broad spectrum of severity and many causal genes, hinders its classification and diagnosis. For this reason, dermatologists and geneticists regularly review and update the classification criteria. This review aimed to update the state of the art on inherited epidermolysis bullosa, with a special focus on the associated clinical and genetic aspects, presenting data from the most recent reclassification consensus, published in 2020.

A Nonlethal Case of Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa and Congenital Pyloric Atresia: Compound Heterozygosity in a Patient with a Novel Integrin Beta 4 Gene Mutation.

We report a case of nonfatal junctional epidermolysis bullosa and pyloric atresia in a newborn. We identified a substitution (c.914C>T) for the integrin ß4 gene that has been associated with favorable outcome. A novel mutation (c.2011T>G) of unknown significance was also found in this patient who is now thriving.

A Novel Mutation in Junctional Plakoglobin Causing Lethal Congenital Epidermolysis Bullosa.

We report a case of neonatal generalized erythema and epidermolysis resulting from a novel mutation in the junctional plakoglobin gene causing truncation of the plakoglobin protein. Expedited genetic testing enabled diagnosis while the patient was in the neonatal intensive care unit, providing valuable information for the clinicians and family.

Epidermolysis bullosa in animals: a review.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a hereditary mechanobullous disease of animals and humans, characterized by an extreme fragility of the skin and mucous membranes. The main feature of EB in humans and animals is the formation of blisters and erosions in response to minor mechanical trauma. Epidermolysis bullosa is caused by mutations in the genes that code for structural proteins of the cytoskeleton of the basal keratinocytes or of the basement membrane zone. Based on the ultrastructural levels of tissue separation, EB is divided into the following three broad categories: epidermolysis bullosa simplex, junctional epidermolysis bullosa and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Human types of EB are divided into several subtypes based on their ultrastructural changes and the mode of inheritance; subtypes are not fully established in animals. In humans, it is estimated that EB affects one in 17,000 live births; the frequency of EB in different animals species is not known. In all animal species, except in buffalo with epidermolysis bullosa simplex, multifocal ulcers are observed on the gums, hard and soft palates, mucosa of the lips, cheek mucosa and dorsum of the tongue. Dystrophic or absent nails, a frequent sign seen in human patients with EB, corresponds to the deformities and sloughing of the hooves in ungulates and to dystrophy or atrophy of the claws in dogs and cats. This review covers aspects of the molecular biology, diagnosis, classification, clinical signs and pathology of EB reported in animals.

Bioingeniería de tejidos: cultivo de queratinocitos humanos en el tratamiento de la epidermólisis bullosa / Treatment of epidermolysis bullosa with allogeneic human cultured queratinocytes

Background: Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) or "crystal skin" is a group of inherited disorders that affect the protein that forms the anchor between dermis and epidermis, producing blister injuries. Case report: We report a four years old boy with junctional EB and lesions in 80 percent of the body lasting 48 months. His right lower limb was treated with allogeneic human cultured queratinocytes during five weeks. After the treatment period, a re-epithelization of 90 percent of the intervened limb was observed. Its diameter increased from 23 to 27 cm, the wound assessment scale score decreased from 30 to 13 and the visual analogue pain assessment score decreased from eight to two. Therefore allogeneic human cultured queratinocytes are a novel therapeutic alternative for EB.

Introducción: La epidermólisis Bullosa (EB) o "piel de cristal" es un grupo de trastornos hereditarios, el cual afecta las proteínas que forman la unión dermo-epidérmica de piel y mucosas, lo que lleva a la formación de lesiones ampollares. Objetivo: Comunicar la primera intervención con cultivos de queratinocitos humanos alogénicos (CQHA) en el tratamiento de la EB, en un centro de salud familiar de Chile el año 2013. Metodología: Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 4 años, quien presentaba lesiones en el 80 por ciento del cuerpo de 48 meses de evolución. Se realizó una intervención de la extremidad inferior derecha con el 90 por ciento comprometido con CQHA durante 5 sem con el fin de lograr la reepitelización y formación de piel indemne. Resultados: Posterior a las 5 sem del tratamiento se logró reepitelización del 90 por ciento de la extremidad intervenida, incremento del diámetro de la pierna de 23 a 27 cm., en la escala de valoración de heridas se reduce de 30 a 13 puntos y en la escala de valoración análoga del dolor de 8 a 2 puntos. Conclusión: Se presenta una alternativa terapéutica para pacientes con EB.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa in a calf.

A case of epidermolysis bullosa in a calf descendent from a Gir bull and a Gir crossbreed cow is reported. The calf presented with exungulation of all hooves, widespread erosions and crusts on the skin, and ulcers in the oral cavity. Histologically, the skin showed subepidermal separation with clefts occasionally filled with eosinophilic clear fluid, cellular debris, or neutrophils. Ultrastructurally, there was epidermal-dermal separation at the level of the lamina lucida, with the lamina densa attached to the papillary dermis. The hemidesmosomes were poorly defined and small. The clinical, histological, and ultrastructural findings are characteristic of junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

Upper airway complications of junctional epidermolysis bullosa.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of upper airway pathology in patients with junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients with JEB who came to an interdisciplinary epidermolysis bullosa center at a tertiary care institution between 2004 and 2010. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with JEB were identified, and 12 patients were seen in the otolaryngology clinic (age range, 2 months-15 years; 8 male, 4 female). Of the 12 patients, 8 underwent rigid laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy for upper respiratory tract symptoms; 7 of these patients displayed laryngeal pathology, and 5 of them underwent surgical intervention with successful resolution of symptoms. Furthermore, none of these patients had any short- or long-term complications from their surgery. A strict protocol and a precise problem-focused cold surgical technique were used in these cases to protect skin and mucus membranes. CONCLUSION: With appropriate precautions, endoscopic laryngeal surgery can be safe and effective in patients with JEB and larygnotracheal disease. Endoscopic laryngeal surgery is feasible when indicated for these patients.

Cause-specific risks of childhood death in inherited epidermolysis bullosa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cause-specific risks of death in children with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected throughout the continental United States between 1986 and 2002 by the National EB Registry. The study design is cross-sectional (n = 3280), containing within it a nested randomly sampled longitudinal subcohort (n = 450). RESULTS: The risk of death during infancy and childhood was greatest in junctional EB (JEB), with cumulative and conditional risks of 40% to 44.7% by age 1 in both JEB subtypes, rising to 61.8% in children with JEB, Herlitz subtype and 48.2% in those with JEB, non-Herlitz subtype (JEB-nH) by age 15. In decreasing order, sepsis, failure to thrive, and respiratory failure were the major causes of death in children with JEB, plateauing by age 2 to 6. A small minority of children with epidermolysis bullosa simplex, Dowling-Meara subtype was at risk for death by age 1 (cumulative risk, 2.8%), with sepsis and respiratory failure accounting for cumulative risks of 1.9% and 0.9%. Only a minority of children with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, Hallopeau-Siemens subtype was at risk of death (cumulative risk = 8% by age 15). Renal failure also rarely accounted for death in children with JEB-nH. CONCLUSIONS: Infants and children with inherited EB, particularly those with JEB, are at significant risk of death as a result of disease complications.

Manifestaciones orales de la epidermolisis bulosa en el niño / Oral manifestations in children with Epidermolysis Bullosa

La Epidermolisis Bulosa (EB) es un conjunto de enfermedades genéticas que afectan la zona de unión dermo-epidérmica y que presentan lesiones ampollares y erosiones en la piel y mucosas de todo el organismo. Los tejidos blandos y duros de la cavidad oral son afectados con diferente intensidad según la proteína alterada por la enfermedad. El compromiso máxilo-facial conlleva dificultades para la alimentación, higiene y tratamiento odontológico de los pacientes, es por esto que el pediatra, como cabeza de un equipo multidisciplinario que trata a los niños afectados, debe tener presente la importancia de derivar a sus pacientes al odontólogo para que se inicien las medidas preventivas y los tratamientos oportunos y así evitar mayores complicaciones en estos niños. Este trabajo pretende reforzar el conocimiento de las manifestaciones orales de la EB, para que la derivación de los pacientes al odontólogo sea precoz y prioritaria.

Proposta de protocolo de tratamento odontológico em pacientes com epidermólise bolhosa hereditária / Dental treatment protocol proposal in patients with hereditary bullous epidermolysis

A epiderólise Bolhosa (EB) está associada a diversas manifestações orais, as quais podem envolver tecidos moles e duros intra-orais. As características e a extensão do envolvimento oral variam consideravelmente entre os tipo da doença. Nas formas brandas, a mucosa oral pode apresentar bolhas ocasionalmente e não há acometimento dos dentes, enquanto nas formas mais debilitantes, toda a mucosa oral é gravemente afetada, podendo haver alterações dentárias. O tratamento odontológico deve considerar os diversos aspectos e as limitações da doença, permitindo que esses pacientes beneficiem-se com a manutenção de uma dentição natural e saudável.

Epidermólise bolhosa distrófica e juncional: aspectos gastrointestinais / Epidermolysis bullosa, dystrophic and junctional type: gastrointestinal aspects

Objetivo: avaliar os distúrbios gastrointestinais de crianças e adolescentes com epidermólise bolhosa do tipo distrófica e juncional. Métodos: foram analisados os sinais e sintomas gastrointestinais presentes no primeiro atendimento, assim como os resultados de exames, de todosos pacientes atendidos com a doença em uma unidade universitária de gastroenterologia pediátrica / Objective: to evaluate the gastrointestinal disturbances observed in patientss with epidermolysis bullosa, junctional and dystrophic type. Methods: the gastrointestinal complaints at the first consultation were analysis...

Treatment of two patients with Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa with artificial skin bioequivalents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a treatment with artificial skin bioequivalents in Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (H-JEB). METHODS: Two infants, both homozygous for the Herlitz mutation R635X in the LAMB3 gene, who had refractory anemia and hypoproteinemia as a result of a continuous loss of body fluids through multiple large erosions, were treated with artificial skin bioequivalents. RESULTS: In the first patient, 10 of 13 acute or chronic wounds were found healed 3 to 6 weeks after the treatment, and the protein, iron, and hemoglobin levels normalized. Normal weight gain and marked improvement of the quality of life for this patient's family have been evident since. Nine treated wounds remained healed for at least 18 weeks and appeared to be more resistant to trauma. In a skin biopsy from a treated site obtained after 9 weeks, DNA of the graft was still detectable by polymerase chain reaction. In the second patient, who was treated at a late stage of the disease, only 2 of 18 chronic wounds were found healed at 3 weeks after the treatment. One site remained healed completely, and some additional islets of the grafts persisted for longer. There were no adverse events. CONCLUSION: Early treatment with artificial skin substitutes may improve the clinical course of H-JEB. However, a true cure of the cutaneous manifestations of H-JEB would require gene therapy of autologous epidermal stem cells, which could then be transplanted by using this or a similar cultured skin bioequivalent.

Alteraciones de la zona de membrana basal en enfermedades cutáneas / Abnormalities of the basement membrane zone in cutaneous diseases

Diversas enfermedades cutáneas se caracterizan por alteraciones localizadas preferentemente en la zona de membrana basal. Estas dermatosis se han hereditarias y adquiridas. Se pueden encontrar cambios ultraestructurales en la membrana basal, muchos de los cuales serían causados por fenómenos autoinmunes. Múltiples investigaciones han permitido aclarar la morfogénesis de las lesiones clínicamente visibles que afectan esta zona en particular. En la presente revisión se realiza una puesta al día de la última información de la literatura sobre estas interesantes enfermedades