GRID2 mutations span from congenital to mild adult-onset cerebellar ataxia.

OBJECTIVES: In a large family of Algerian origin, we aimed to identify the genetic mutation segregating with simultaneous presence of adult-onset, paucisymptomatic, slowly progressive, cerebellar ataxia in 7 adults and congenital ataxia in 1 child, and then to assess the involvement of GRID2 mutations in 144 patients with congenital cerebellar ataxia. METHODS: We used a combined approach of linkage analysis and whole-exome sequencing in one family, and a targeted gene panel sequencing approach in 144 congenital ataxias. RESULTS: In the large family with spinocerebellar ataxia, we identified a missense mutation (c.1966C>G/p.Leu656Val) in the GRID2 gene, in a heterozygous state in adults, and in a homozygous state in one child with congenital ataxia, compatible with a semidominant transmission pattern. In 144 patients affected with congenital ataxia, we identified 2 missense de novo GRID2 mutations in 2 children (c.1960G>A/p.Ala654Thr, c.1961C>A/p.Ala654Asp). They affect the same amino acid as the previously described Lurcher mutation in mice; the variant in the large family concerns a nearby amino acid. CONCLUSIONS: In humans, GRID2 had only been involved in ataxia through complete loss-of-function mutations due to exon deletions. We report the first point mutations in this gene, with putative gain-of-function mechanisms, and a semidominant transmission as was observed in the Lurcher mice model. Of note, cerebellar ataxia is the core phenotype, but with variable severity ranging from very mild adult-onset to congenital-onset ataxias linked to both the heterozygous and homozygous state of the variant, and the position of the mutation.

IFN-γ and TNF-α are involved during Alzheimer disease progression and correlate with nitric oxide production: a study in Algerian patients.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease leading to a progressive and irreversible loss of mental functions. It is characterized by 3 stages according to the evolution and the severity of the symptoms. This disease is associated with an immune disorder, which appears with significant rise in the inflammatory cytokines and increased production of free radicals such as nitric oxide (NO). Our study aims to investigate interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) involvement in NO production, in vivo and ex vivo, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from Algerian patients (n=25), according to the different stages of the disease (mild Alzheimer's, moderate Alzheimer's, and severe Alzheimer's) in comparison to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Interestingly, we observed that in vivo IFN-γ and TNF-α levels assessed in patients with AD in mild and severe stages, respectively, are higher than those observed in patients with moderate stage and MCI. Our in vivo and ex vivo results show that NO production is related to the increased levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α, in mild and severe stages of AD. Remarkably, significant IFN-γ level is only detected in mild stage of AD. Our study suggests that NO production is IFN-γ dependent both in MCI and mild Alzheimer's patients. Further, high levels of NO are associated with an elevation of TNF-α levels in severe stage of AD. Collectively, our data indicate that the proinflammatory cytokine production seems, in part, to be involved in neurological deleterious effects observed during the development of AD through NO pathway.