Mutations in ADAMTSL4 cause a unique form of autosomal-recessive congenital ectopia lentis.

Several unique mutations of ADAMTSL4 leading to congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) have been previously reported by our team. The purpose of this study is to find out the possible mechanism of a recurrent novel intronic variant in ADAMTSL4 led to CEL. Twelve novel ADAMTSL4 mutations with a unique form congenital ectopic lentis were detected previously by panel-based NGS. Genetic analysis verified a novel heterozygous ADAMTSL4 variation c.2177+4A>G on Intron 11 in two unrelated patients with iris and lens abnormalities. MINI-Gene assay showed two splicing modes of mRNA that process two different bands A and B, and mutant-type shows replacement with the splicing mode of Exon 11 skipping. Construction of wild-type and mutant ADAMTSL4 vector showed the appearance of premature termination codons (PTC). In vitro expression detection showed significant down-regulated expression level of ADAMTSL4 mRNAs and proteins in cells transfected with mutant vectors compared with in wild-type group. On the contrary, translation inhibitor CHX and small interfering RNA of UPF1 (si-UPF1) significantly increased mRNA or protein expression of ADAMTSL4 in cells transfected with the mutant vectors. 12 novel mutations in ADAMTSL4 gene have been previously reported by our team in 6 CEL patients with a unique series of ocular abnormalities. The recurrent novel ADAMTSL4 mutation c.2177+4A>G triggering the splicing mode of Exon 11 skipping and NMD would cause the decrease of ADAMTSL4 proteins that participate in biosynthesis and assembly of microfibers, which might lead to CEL, and suggest that sequencing of certain intronic splicing varition might be a vital tool for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnoses.

Genotype Associated With Visual Prognosis in Patients With Congenital Ectopia Lentis Following Lens Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between visual prognosis and genotype in patients undergoing lens surgery for congenital ectopia lentis (EL). DESIGN: Prospective clinical cohort study. METHODS: Patients with congenital EL who underwent lens removal and intraocular lens implantation received panel-based next-generation sequencing. Patients were grouped into children and adolescents/adults based on the age at surgery. The visual prognosis, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and amblyopia, was stratified into short-term and medium to long-term. RESULTS: This study included 329 probands with congenital EL, with a median age at lens surgery of 7.00 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 5.00, 12.50 years). Children with the non-FBN1 mutation exhibited inferior medium to long-term postoperative BCVA (0.26 [IQR: 0.14, 0.33] vs 0.15 [IQR: 0.10, 0.22], P = .034) and a higher prevalence of amblyopia (44.4% vs 16.8%, P = .012) compared to those with FBN1 mutation. Multivariable analysis showed that genotype (FBN1 vs non-FBN1 mutation) was significantly associated with medium to long-term postoperative BCVA (b = -0.128, 95% CI -0.214 to -0.042, P = .004) and amblyopia (OR = 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.78, P = .020) in children. Further classification of FBN1 genotype did not yield significant correlations with visual prognosis. However, no significant correlation was observed between genotype and short-term visual prognosis in the children. Children with less severe EL (OR = 0.13, 95% CI 0.02-0.85, P = .033) had lower risks of amblyopia in the short-term follow-up. For adolescent and adult patients with congenital EL, those with poor preoperative BCVA and long axial length should be informed of suboptimal visual prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Genotype significantly influences the medium to long-term visual prognosis in children with congenital EL. Genotype, along with preoperative BCVA, may assist in establishing reasonable expectations for patients regarding their visual outcomes after the lens surgery.

ROR2 Regulates Cellular Plasticity in Pancreatic Neoplasia and Adenocarcinoma.

Cellular plasticity is a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) starting from the conversion of normal cells into precancerous lesions, to the progression of carcinoma subtypes associated with aggressiveness and therapeutic response. We discovered that normal acinar cell differentiation, maintained by the transcription factor Pdx1, suppresses a broad gastric cell identity that is maintained in metaplasia, neoplasia, and the classical subtype of PDAC in mouse and human. We have identified the receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 as marker of a gastric metaplasia-like identity in pancreas neoplasms. Ablation of Ror2 in a mouse model of pancreatic tumorigenesis promoted a switch to a gastric pit cell identity that largely persisted through progression to the classical subtype of PDAC. In both human and mouse pancreatic cancer, ROR2 activity continued to antagonize the gastric pit cell identity, strongly promoting an epithelial to mesenchymal transition, conferring resistance to KRAS inhibition, and vulnerability to AKT inhibition.

ROR2 regulates cellular plasticity in pancreatic neoplasia and adenocarcinoma.

Cellular plasticity is a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) starting from the conversion of normal cells into precancerous lesions to the progression of carcinoma subtypes associated with aggressiveness and therapeutic response. We discovered that normal acinar cell differentiation, maintained by the transcription factor Pdx1, suppresses a broad gastric cell identity that is maintained in metaplasia, neoplasia, and the classical subtype of PDAC in mouse and human. We have identified the receptor tyrosine kinase Ror2 as marker of a gastric metaplasia (SPEM)-like identity in the pancreas. Ablation of Ror2 in a mouse model of pancreatic tumorigenesis promoted a switch to a gastric pit cell identity that largely persisted through progression to the classical subtype of PDAC. In both human and mouse pancreatic cancer, ROR2 activity continued to antagonize the gastric pit cell identity, strongly promoting an epithelial to mesenchymal transition, conferring resistance to KRAS inhibition, and vulnerability to AKT inhibition.

Genotype Impacts Axial Length Growth in Pseudophakic Eyes of Marfan Syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between axial length (AL) growth and FBN1 genotype in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) after lens surgery and customize the selection of intraocular lens (IOL) power. Methods: Patients with MFS who had lens surgery and primary IOL implantation received panel-based next-generation sequencing (NGS). The rate of axial length growth (RALG) was calculated using pre- and postoperative AL measurements and corrected log10-transformed age. A multivariable regression model of RALG was developed after analyzing the effect of FBN1 genotypes and confounding factors. Results: A total of 139 probands of MFS with a median age at lens surgery of 6.25 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 4.67, 12.50 years) were followed up for a median duration of 2.08 years (IQR = 1.16, 3.00 years). The AL growth curve between the age of 3 and 15 years old was logarithmic. Dominant-negative (DN) variants affecting the disulfide-bridge forming cysteines and the conserved residues for calcium-binding had significantly higher RALG than DN variants affecting other structures (P = 0.001) but comparable to that of haplo-insufficiency variants (P = 1.000). Pre-operative AL (b = 0.563, P = 0.011) and genotype constant (b = 2.603, P = 0.011) were significantly associated with RALG in the final model. A Python-based calculator, Marfan IOL Calculator version 2.0, was programmed using the RALG to predict postoperative AL and customize IOL selection based on the ocular biometric parameters and FBN1 genotype. Conclusions: FBN1 genotype impacted the growth of AL in patients with MFS after IOL implantation. Knowing the FBN1 genotype could help cataract surgeons to customize IOL selection.

Predicting axial length in patients with Marfan syndrome and ectopia lentis after modified capsular tension ring and intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To predict the growth of axial length (AL) in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and ectopia lentis (EL). SETTING: Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. DESIGN: Consecutive retrospective case series. METHODS: Eyes were evaluated that had modified capsular tension ring and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The rate of AL growth (RALG) was calculated using AL divided by log10-transformed age. A multivariate linear regression model of RALG was developed after validation. RESULTS: 128 patients with MFS and EL were enrolled with a median follow-up duration of about 3 years. RALG was independent of age between 3 years and 15 years old ( P = .799) and decreased to 0 thereafter ( P = .878). Preoperative AL was associated with RALG in patients under 15 years old ( P = .003). Beta values for the final model of RALG were as below: intercept (-9.794) and preoperative AL (0.664). The postoperative AL was predicted as: postAL = preAL + RALG × log 10 ([postAge + 0.6]/[preAge + 0.6]). The mean prediction error was -0.003 (95% CI, -0.386 to 0.3791) mm and the mean absolute percentage error was 1.93% (95% CI, 0.73% to 3.14%). A Python-based calculator was developed to use the predicted AL in selecting IOL power and setting undercorrection. CONCLUSIONS: The AL growth of patients with MFS followed a logarithmic pattern and ceased at about age 15. A prediction model of postoperative AL was established for individual MFS patients between 3 and 15 years old, which could potentially optimize the IOL power selection.

Supracapsular scleral sutured intraocular lens implantation in anterior segment dysgenesis patients with ectopia lentis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new strategy to manage ectopia lentis in ASD patients assessing the visual outcomes and safety of supracapsular scleral sutured intraocular lens implantation and analyzing the accuracy of different intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulae. METHODS: Eight patients with ASD (13 eyes) were underwent supracapsular scleral suture fixation of posterior chamber (PC) IOL without capsular extirpation. The preoperative and postoperative clinical features were compared. The prediction error values from four formulae (SRK/T, Holladay 1, Hoffer Q, Haigis), with or without Wang-Koch (WK) adjustment, were calculated for the cases. RESULTS: Zonulodialysis and premature cataracts could be the main reason for the decreased vision in patients with ASD. There was a significant improvement in best corrected visual acuity on 3-month follow-up after applying supracapsular scleral suture fixation of PC IOL. The prediction errors of the different formulae showed a slight tendency towards postoperative myopia. The Haigis formula with WK adjustment showed the best performance. CONCLUSIONS: Supracapsular scleral suture fixation of IOLs for retaining the capsule-zonule barrier is a good option for ASD patients. The Haigis formula is recommended for ASD patients treated with supracapsular scleral suture fixation of IOLs. The predicted IOL power should be reduced based on the effect of the new anatomic position of the IOL to achieve a satisfactory visual outcome.

Biallelic ADAMTSL4 variants in a Chinese cohort of congenital ectopia lentis: Implications for genotype-phenotype relationships.

ADAMTSL4 variants are one of the common causes of congenital ectopia lentis (EL), reported ocular comorbidities of which include iris anomalies, cataract, and glaucoma. However, a genotype-phenotype correlation has not been established. Potentially pathogenic ADAMTSL4 variants were screened from a Chinese cohort of congenital EL using panel-based next-generation sequencing followed by multiple bioinformatics analyses. The genotype-phenotype correlation was assessed via a systematic review of ADAMTSL4 variants within our data and those from the literature. A total of 12 variants of ADAMTSL4, including seven frameshift variants, one nonsense variant, two splicing variants, and two missense variants, were found in nine probands. Combing genetic and clinical information from 72 probands in the literature revealed 37 ADAMTSL4 variants known to cause EL, and the ethnic difference was prominent. The lens was inclined to dislocate inferior temporally (22, 27.16%), while the pupil was always located oppositely (9, 81.82%). Several anterior segments anomalies were identified, including ectopia pupillae (15, 18.52%), persistent pupillary membrane (9, 11.10%), poor pupil dilation (4, 30.8%), cataract (13, 24.10%), and glaucoma (8, 13.33%). Genotype-phenotype analysis revealed that truncation variants had higher risks of combined iris anomalies, including either ectopia pupillae or a persistent pupillary membrane (p = 0.007). The data from this study not only extend our knowledge of the ADAMTSL4 variant spectrum but also suggest that deleterious variants of ADAMTSL4 might be associated with severe ocular phenotypes.

Comparison of Accuracy in Keratometries Measured by Different Camera Devices for Predicting the Intraocular Lens Power in Lens-Dislocated Patients.

INTRODUCTION: This is a cross-sectional cohort study focused on assessing the influence of ocular biometric parameters of different camera devices for accurately predicting the intraocular lens (IOL) power in the congenital ectopia lentis (EL) patients. METHODS: This study includes a total of 91 eyes of 60 patients with congenital EL from June 2018 to April 2021. All patients underwent lens subluxation surgery with Cionni modified capsular tension rings (MCTR) implantation. Ocular parameters measured by partial coherence interferometry (IOLMaster 700, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) and rotating Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam HR system, Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) were acquired from the database. The authenticity of the different keratometries (K) were analyzed by comparing the prediction error in spherical equivalent under controlled formula SRK/T, Haigis, and after Wang-Koch (WK) adjustment. RESULTS: We observed significant greater K values were obtained in IOLMaster than Pentacam, resulting in more significant hyperopia error while calculating SRK/T. The IOL power calculated with the total corneal refractive power (TCRP) from Pentacam revealed the highest prediction accuracy, indicating that TCRP is the closest to the actual refractive power of the cornea. However, in an exceptional case for long eye patients, total keratometry from IOLMaster was better recommended when using formula Haigis with WK adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: For most instances, TCRP is the best-recommended source of K value while calculating IOL power for EL patients. However, the total keratometry from IOLMaster preferably fits for long eye patients, who require WK adjustment for Haigis formula.

[Cloning and expression of Treponema pallidum antigen TpN17 and an epitope of TpN44.5 and clinical application].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cloning and expression of Treponema pallidum (TP) specific antigen TpN17 and an epitope of TpN44.5 and the clinical application of this fusion antigen. METHODS: TpN17 gene was amplified from the genome of TP and an epitope of TpN44.5 was spliced to the 5' end of TpN17 gene. This modified TpN17 gene was cloned into the expression vector pGEX4T-2. The recombinant fusion antigen was purified by affinity chromatography and then an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was prepared. With this kit, the sera of 10 normal persons and 10 TP patients were tested. RESULTS: The molecular weight of the purified fusion antigen was 45,000. Tested with ELISA, 10 serum samples of the TP patients were positive and another 10 of the normal persons were negative. ELISA equipped with the GST-epi-TpN17 antigen showed higher sensitivity and specificity as compared with routine methods. CONCLUSION: The recombinant fusion TP specific antigen GST-epi-TpN17 was suitable for the preparation of ELISA kit in clinical examinations.