Genetic and phenotypic analysis of 101 patients with developmental delay or intellectual disability using whole-exome sequencing.

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) enables identification of pathogenic variants, including copy number variants (CNVs). In this study, we performed WES in 101 Japanese patients with unexplained developmental delay (DD) or intellectual disability (ID) (63 males and 38 females), 98 of them with trio-WES. Pathogenic variants were identified in 54 cases (53.5%), including four cases with pathogenic CNVs. In one case, a pathogenic variant was identified by reanalysis of exome data; and in two cases, two molecular diagnoses were identified. Among 58 pathogenic variants, 49 variants occurred de novo in 48 patients, including two somatic variants. The accompanying autism spectrum disorder and external ear anomalies were associated with detection of pathogenic variants with odds ratios of 11.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52-56.00) and 3.46 (95% CI 1.23-9.73), respectively. These findings revealed the importance of reanalysis of WES data and detection of CNVs and somatic variants in increasing the diagnostic yield for unexplained DD/ID. In addition, genetic testing is recommended when patients suffer from the autism spectrum disorder or external ear anomalies, which potentially suggests the involvement of genetic factors associated with gene expression regulation.

OTUD5 Variants Associated With X-Linked Intellectual Disability and Congenital Malformation.

BACKGROUND: X-linked intellectual disability (XLID), which occurs predominantly in males, is a relatively common and genetically heterogeneous disorder in which over 100 mutated genes have been reported. The OTUD5 gene at Xp11.23 encodes ovarian tumor deubiquitinase 5 protein, which is a deubiquitinating enzyme member of the ovarian tumor family. LINKage-specific-deubiquitylation-deficiency-induced embryonic defects (LINKED) syndrome, arising from pathogenic OTUD5 variants, was recently reported as a new XLID with additional congenital anomalies. METHODS: We investigated three affected males (49- and 47-year-old brothers [Individuals 1 and 2] and a 2-year-old boy [Individual 3]) from two families who showed developmental delay. Their common clinical features included developmental delay, hypotonia, short stature, and distinctive facial features, such as telecanthus and a depressed nasal bridge. Individuals 1 and 2 showed epilepsy and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a thin corpus callosum and mild ventriculomegaly. Individual 3 showed congenital malformations, including tetralogy of Fallot, hypospadias, and bilateral cryptorchidism. To identify the genetic cause of these features, we performed whole-exome sequencing. RESULTS: A hemizygous OTUD5 missense variant, c.878A>T, p.Asn293Ile [NM_017602.4], was identified in one family with Individuals 1 and 2, and another missense variant, c.1210 C>T, p.Arg404Trp, in the other family with Individual 3, respectively. The former variant has not been registered in public databases and was predicted to be pathogenic by multiple in silico prediction tools. The latter variant p.Arg404Trp was previously reported as a pathogenic OTUD5 variant, and Individual 3 showed a typical LINKED syndrome phenotype. However, Individuals 1 and 2, with the novel variant (p.Asn293Ile), showed no cardiac or genitourinary malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous reports of LINKED syndrome, which described early lethality with congenital cardiac anomalies, our three cases are still alive. Notably, the adult brothers with the novel missense OTUD5 variant have lived into their forties. This may be indicative of a milder phenotype as a possible genotype-phenotype correlation. These findings imply a possible long-term prognosis for individuals with this new XLID syndrome, and a wider phenotypic variation than initially thought.

EGFR Protein Expression Relates with Tumor Histology, Methylation Status of EGFR and HPV16 E6 Viral Load in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is important in tumorigenesis of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC). However, the molecular mechanisms contributing to EGFR expression in OPC are not well-known. To detect relating factors and clinicopathological impact of EGFR protein expression in OPC, gene amplification/loss, point mutations including synonymous mutations, and promoter methylation of EGFR, and the viral genome load of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-E5, -E6, and -E7, after extracting HPV16-related OPCs with qPCR of HPV16-E6 and E7, were investigated in 74 OPC surgical cases, including 52 HPV-related (HPV-OPC) and 22 HPV-unrelated (nHPV-OPC). Immunohistochemical (IHC) data of EGFR expression (high, weak, and negative), validated by the qPCR of EGFR mRNA, were compared with molecular, viral, and clinicopathological data of patients. All nHPV-OPC cases were EGFR-IHC-high, whereas 21.2%, 65.4%, and 13.5% of HPV-OPC cases showed EGFR-IHC-high, -weak, -negative (p < 0.01), respectively. In HPV-OPC cases, EGFR-IHC-weak/negative status was related to promoter methylation of EGFR (p = 0.009), but not with gene amplification/loss or the point mutation of EGFR and was more often seen in HPV16-OPC cases (p = 0.049). Among HPV16-OPC cases, EGFR-IHC-weak/negative was related to high E6 expression. EGFR protein-loss was related to the tumor histology of non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (p = 0.035) but not with patient prognosis. In conclusion, decreased EGFR protein expression was more frequent in HPV-OPC than in nHPV-OPC and was related to EGFR methylation, infection of HPV16, and the viral genome load of HPV16-E6. Clinicopathologically, it was related to the tumor histology of non-keratinizing SCC.

Identification of CTNNB1-PLAG1 gene rearrangement in a patient with pulmonary pleomorphic adenoma.

Pulmonary pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is a rare salivary gland-type neoplasm, which predominantly occurs in the proximal airway. Rearrangement of the pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) is the most frequent genetic event in PAs of salivary glands. However, whether pulmonary PA also harbors PLAG1 rearrangement has not been elucidated. Here, we present a case of pulmonary PA, located at the middle lobar bronchus, in a 54-year-old man. CTNNB1-PLAG1 gene fusion was identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FFPE). Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed nuclear expression of PLAG1 in all tumor cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of pulmonary PA with CTNNB1-PLAG1 fusion and PLAG1 expression. Our case illustrates the possibility that pulmonary PA could be underpinned by recurrent PLAG1 translocations akin to salivary gland PA.

Clinicopathological effect of PLAG1 fusion genes in pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma with special emphasis on histological features.

AIMS: Pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 (PLAG1) rearrangement is well known in pleomorphic adenoma (PA), which is histologically characterised by admixed epithelial and mesenchymal components. Multiple fusion variants of PLAG1 and HMGA2 have been reported; currently, however, little is known regarding the clinicopathological impacts of these fusion types METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the PLAG1- and HMGA2-related fusion status in 105 PAs and 11 cases of carcinoma ex PAs (CXPA) arising from salivary glands and lacrimal glands to elucidate their correlation to the clinicopathological factors. Forty cases harboured PLAG1 fusion genes: CTNNB1-PLAG1 in 22 cases, CHCHD7-PLAG1 in 14 cases and LIFR-PLAG1 in four cases. Only two cases possessed HMGA2 fusion genes. The mean age of LIFR-PLAG1-positive cases was significantly higher than that of CTNNB1-PLAG1- and CHCHD7-PLAG1-positive cases (P = 0.0358). PAs located in the submandibular gland demonstrated CTNNB1-PLAG1 fusion at a significantly higher rate than other fusions (P = 0.0109). Histologically, PLAG1 fusion-positive cases exhibited chondroid formation and plasmacytoid features more commonly (P = 0.043, P = 0.015, respectively) and myxoid abundant feature less frequently (P = 0.031) than PLAG1 fusion-negative cases. For CXPAs, four CTNNB1-PLAG1 fusions were detected in two salivary duct carcinomas and two myoepithelial carcinomas. Ductal formation was observed frequently (90.9%) in residual PA. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of PLAG1 fusion was associated with specific histological features in PA. Detecting the PLAG1 fusion gene and searching residual ductal formation in salivary gland malignant tumours with extensive hyalinisation could be useful for diagnosis.

A case of combined small cell lung carcinoma with unique morphology: Investigation of tumorigenesis.

Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) usually grows in a pure form with no other associated histological components. However, combined small cell lung carcinoma (cSCLC), which is accompanied by other histological components (cSCLCs) may sometimes occur. Herein, we analyzed the tumorigenesis of cSCLC containing a demarcated area of pure SCLC. A 76-year-old man had a 25-mm mass in the perihilar portion of his right upper lung. Histologically, the cSCLC contained two relatively demarcated areas: one area composed of pure SCLC cells and another area of SCLC, squamous-like component (SLC), and spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) cells. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was observed at allele 3p in all tumor components and at 22q in the pure SCLC component. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis and LOH study suggested that all components were likely to be monoclonal in origin and revealed that the pure SCLC component was not the precursor of the cSCLC. In the tumorigenesis of this case, the pure SCLC and the cSCLC may have originated from a common pluripotent tumor cell and then diverged, although we cannot state this conclusively. Further studies with more cases are necessary to test this theory.

Pulmonary Intravascular Large B-cell Lymphoma (IVLBCL) Disguised as an Asthma Exacerbation in a Patient with Asthma.

A 62-year-old man with asthma presented with a 1-month history of wheezing and exertional dyspnea. Although the wheezing symptoms disappeared after systemic corticosteroid therapy, the exertional dyspnea and hypoxemia did not improve. A diagnosis of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) with pulmonary involvement was suspected because of the increased serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) level, increased alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (AaDO2), decreased pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and scintigraphic, computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)-CT findings. The patient was diagnosed as having IVLBCL with pulmonary involvement based on a pathological analysis of a random skin biopsy and a transbronchial lung biopsy. IVLBCL should be considered in patients with symptoms of asthma that are refractory to corticosteroid treatment.

Disorganized Steroidogenesis in Adrenocortical Carcinoma, a Case Study.

Most adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs) produce excessive amounts of steroid hormones including aldosterone, cortisol, and steroid precursors. However, aldosterone- and cortisol-producing cells in ACCs have not yet been immunohistochemically described. We present a case of ACC causing mild primary aldosteronism and subclinical Cushing's syndrome. Removal of the tumor cured both conditions. In order to examine the expression patterns of the steroidogenic enzymes responsible for adrenocortical hormone production, 10 tumor portions were immunohistochemically analyzed for aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), 11ß-hydroxylase (CYP11B1, cortisol-synthesizing enzyme), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ßHSD, upstream enzyme for both CYP11B2 and CYP11B1), and 17α-hydroxylase/C17-20 lyase (CYP17, upstream enzyme for CYP11B1, but not for CYP11B1). CYP11B2, CYP11B1, and 3ßHSD were expressed sporadically, and their expression patterns varied significantly among the different tumor portions examined. The expression of these enzymes was random and not associated with each other. CYP17 was expressed throughout the tumor, even in CYP11B2-positive cells. Small tumor cell populations were aldosterone- or cortisol-producing cells, as judged by 3ßHSD coinciding with either CYP11B2 or CYP11B1, respectively. These results suggest that the tumor produced limited amounts of aldosterone and cortisol due to the lack of the coordinated expression of steroidogenic enzymes, which led to mild clinical expression in this case. We delineated the expression patterns of steroidogenic enzymes in ACC. The coordinated expression of steroidogenic enzymes in normal and adenoma cells was disturbed in ACC cells, resulting in the inefficient production of steroid hormones in relation to the large tumor volume.

In Japanese patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, TERT promoter mutation is associated with poor prognosis, in contrast to BRAF V600E mutation.

The prognostic value of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is controversial. We examined alterations in BRAF V600E and TERT promoter by PCR-direct sequencing in PTC of 144 Japanese patients. Alternative lengthening of telomeres was examined as another mechanism of telomere maintenance by immunohistochemical staining for ATRX and DAXX. Of the clinicopathological characteristics, regional lymph node metastasis, extra-thyroid extension, multifocality/intrathyroidal spread, and advanced stage (III/V) were associated with shorter disease-free survival rate (DFSR). TERT promoter mutation was found in eight patients (6 %), and this was significantly associated with total thyroidectomy, multifocality/intrathyroidal spread, lymph node metastasis and advanced stage. The BRAF V600E mutation was found in 53 patients (38.2 %) but was not associated with any clinicopathological factors. TERT mutations were not correlated with BRAF V600E mutation status. TERT mutation-positive tumors (TERT+) showed lower DFSR than BRAF V600E -mutation-positive tumors (BRAF V600E +), and TERT+/BRAF V600E + tumors showed lower DFSR than BRAF V600E + tumors. No cases showed loss of ATRX/DAXX expression by immunohistochemistry. TERT promoter mutations showed a lower prevalence in our series and appeared to be associated with aggressive behavior. In PTCs, telomerase activation by TERT promoter mutation might be more important than alternative lengthening of telomeres.

Novel HPS6 mutations identified by whole-exome sequencing in two Japanese sisters with suspected ocular albinism.

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, platelet dysfunction and ceroid deposition. We report suspected ocular albinism in two Japanese sisters, caused by mutations in the HPS6 (Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome 6) gene. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing (WES) identified novel compound heterozygous mutations in HPS6 (c.1898delC: mother origin and c.2038C>T: father origin) in the two sisters. To date, 10 associated mutations have been detected in HPS6. Although we detected no general manifestations, including platelet dysfunction, in the sisters, even in long-term follow-up, we established a diagnosis of HPS type 6 based on the HPS6 mutations and absence of dense bodies in the platelets, indicating that WES can identify cases of HPS type 6. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of HPS6 mutations in Japanese patients.

Novel RAB3GAP1 compound heterozygous mutations in Japanese siblings with Warburg Micro syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Warburg Micro syndrome (WARBM) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by postnatal growth retardation, microcephaly, severely delayed motor and intellectual development, microcornea, congenital cataracts, optic atrophy, and hypogonadism. While WARBM is a genetically heterogeneous condition, RAB3GAP1 mutations account for ∼40% of WARBM patients, and 69 different mutations of various types (nonsense, missense, frameshift, and splice site mutations) have been identified to date. PATIENTS: Japanese siblings (a 7 years 3 months old male and a 2 years 1month old female) were found to have WARBM-compatible phenotypes. Direct sequencing of RAB3GAP1 revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations in the siblings: a paternally inherited missense mutation (c.560G>C; p.Arg187Pro) in exon 7 and a maternally derived nonsense mutation (c.1009C>T; p.Arg337Ter) in exon 12. CONCLUSION: The siblings had WARBM caused by novel mutations in RAB3GAP1. Since molecular diagnosis permits adequate genetic counseling and appropriate management for predicted complications such as adequate sex steroid supplementation therapy for hypogonadism, in addition to standard supportive therapies for developmental delay and visual dysfunction, we recommend molecular studies for this rare condition.

[Recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy due to vasospasm and cerebral hypoperfusionin in acute leukemia: a case report].

We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who presented with recurrent posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). She was diagnosed with B-precursor acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), and was administered remission-induction chemotherapy. On day 28 of the induction therapy, she experienced seizure and prolonged unconsciousness. Blood pressure was slightly elevated. MRI revealed cortical cytotoxic edema in the right temporal and occipital lobes. In the right occipital white matter the lesion with vasogenic edema also existed. Three days later, MRI showed vasogenic edema in subcortical white matter of the right temporal right occipital and bilateral occipital lobes. The lesions had receded with time. Since the seizure occurred, the chemotherapy had been discontinued. The episodes of seizure and prolonged consciousness recurred 22 days later. MRI revealed vasogenic edema in the right occipital lobe, and MR angiography demonstrated vessel irregularity and reduced branch visualization in the middle and posterior cerebral arteries. Arterial spin-labeling (ASL) showed hypoperfusion in both occipital lobes. It suggests that vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion could lead to recurrent PRES in this case. It is possible that ASL might be more sensitive than MRI in detecting the lesions of PRES. It should be noted that PRES might recur in leukemia.

A case of primary spindle cell variant of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate.

We treated a rare case of spindle cell variant of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the prostate of a patient referred to our hospital for gross hematuria. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 4-cm-diameter mass with focal cystic change. Transurethral resection (TUR) of the prostate was performed to diagnosis and treat for complete urinary retention. Microscopically, the TUR specimen almost comprised a fascicular proliferation of spindle-shaped tumor cells, leading to the diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma. The consequent total prostatectomy revealed the presence of rhabdomyoblasts in addition to the spindle cell proliferation. A MyoD1 p.L122R mutation was not detected in this tumor. The tumor recurred locally, with multiple metastatic lesions found soon after surgery. The patient received chemotherapy and radiation therapy but died 10 months after initial presentation. Although MyoD1 mutation is reported to define a clinically aggressive subset of embryonal RMS, spindle cell variant of embryonal RMS shows extremely adverse clinical outcomes irrespective of MyoD1 mutation.

IgG3 subclass-positive primary thymic MALT lymphoma without trisomy 3 and trisomy 18: report of a case and review of literature.

The patient, a 42-year-old man, was diagnosed as having an anterior mediastinal tumor. Examination of the resected tumor showed findings consistent with a primary thymic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, stage IA. Postoperative (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation at the site of tumor excision. This accumulation was interpreted as representing a residual lesion, and the patient was treated with rituximab. The patient has since been in a state of complete remission for about 3 years. Sporadic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma cells that appeared to have a propensity for differentiating into plasma cells in this case were analyzed for IgG and IgG subclass expression by immunohistochemical staining. The mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma cells that showed a propensity for differentiating into IgG-positive plasma cells were IgG3-positive and IgG1-, IgG2- and IgG4-negative. An increase in IgG3 or IgG1 expression in immune cells has been previously demonstrated in immune responses to continuous exposure to the same proteins or peptide antigens and most mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas show increased IgG3 and/or IgG1 expression. It is consistent with the fact that inflammation due to stimulation by a pathogenic antigen is considered to be etiologically responsible for the development of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

A case of myxoid liposarcoma of the breast.

A 70-year-old woman visited a local hospital complaining of a nodulein the right breast, present since 1 month. She was referred to our hospital for further evaluation. Following mammotome (MMT) biopsy, the nodule was diagnosed as myxoid/round cell liposarcoma. She underwent total mastectomy of the right breast. Histological analysis indicated that the tumor was almost entirely composed of proliferating small round mesenchymal cells in amyxoid matrix background with capillary-like vessels with partial necrosis (<10%). Immunohistochemically, p53 positive cells were seen focally (<1%) only, and the Ki-67 labeling index was approximately 20%. Since the surgical margin was histologically positive despite pathologic findings of high-grade malignancy, adjuvant treatment involving local radiation therapy (60Gy) was administered. The patient was free from any symptoms of local recurrence and metastases 1 year and 8 months after surgery.