p.E66Q mutation in the GLA gene is associated with a high risk of cerebral small-vessel occlusion in elderly Japanese males.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: GLA is the causative gene of Fabry disease, an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder resulting from α-galactosidase A (α-GAL) deficiency. Stroke is an important manifestation of Fabry disease, and recent epidemiological studies have indicated that up to 4.9% of young male cryptogenic stroke patients have GLA mutations. To determine the importance of GLA mutations in the general stroke population, the frequency of GLA mutations in Japanese male ischaemic stroke (IS) patients with various risk factors and ages was measured. METHODS: A total of 475 male IS patients (mean age 69.7 ± 12.5 years), were enrolled in this study. A blood sample was obtained to produce blood spots for measurement of α-GAL activity. Blood samples with decreased enzymatic activity were reassayed and the entire GLA gene was analyzed by direct DNA sequencing if α-Gal A activity was consistently low. RESULTS: α-Gal A activity was decreased in 10 men, five of whom (1.1%) had the GLA gene mutation, p.E66Q. All IS patients with p.E66Q mutation had substantial residual α-Gal A activity, in contrast to patients with classic-type Fabry disease. Clinically, all patients with p.E66Q mutation were > 50 years old and had multiple small-vessel occlusions (lacunar infarctions). Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test showed the allele frequency of GLA p.E66Q in patients with small-vessel occlusion to be significantly higher than that in the general Japanese population [odds ratio (OR) = 3.34, P = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: GLA p.E66Q mutation is a genetic risk factor for cerebral small-vessel occlusion in elderly Japanese males.

Expression of CD64 on polymorphonuclear neutrophils in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serosal or synovial inflammation. We examined the utility of CD64 (FcγRI) expression in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) as clinical and biological parameters in patients with FMF. We studied 12 Japanese FMF patients (mean age; 22·8 ± 15·5 years, male/female: 2/10), along with rheumatoid arthritis patients (RA, n = 38 male/female: 6/32, mean age; 52·2 ± 15·3 years), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n = 15 male/female: 0/15, mean age; 38·5 ± 15·9 years) and 12 healthy subjects (male/female: 3/9, mean age; 37·9 ± 17·2 years). CD64 expression on PMNs was determined using flow cytometry. The quantitative expression of CD64 in patients with FMF (2439·6 ± 2215·8 molecules per PMN) was significantly higher than in healthy subjects (547·8 ± 229·5, P = 0·003) or in patients with RA (606·5 ± 228·2, P < 0·0001) and SLE (681·3 ± 281·1, P = 0·004). The increased CD64 expression on PMNs isolated from untreated FMF patients was down-regulated by colchicine treatment. NACHT-LRR-PYD-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) activation using MurNAc-L-Ala-D-isoGln (MDP) resulted in increased CD64 expression on PMNs from healthy subjects. Our results suggest that quantitative measurement of CD64 expression on PMNs can be a valuable tool to discriminate between FMF and autoimmune diseases.

A case of adult onset type II citrullinemia with portal-systemic shunt.

A 48-year-old woman who had conscious disturbance and abnormal behaviors had been misdiagnosed as having hepatic encephalopathy due to hyperammonemia and portal-systemic shunt, and retrograde transvenous obliteration of the shunt did not improve her symptoms. Thereafter, analyses of plasma amino acids and citrin gene revealed a diagnosis of adult onset type II citrullinemia (CTLN2). She underwent auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) using a left lobe graft from her brother, and her symptoms as well as hyperammonemia improved. Our case demonstrates the importance of CTLN2 as a differential diagnosis in patients with hyperammonemia and consciousness disturbance, even if they present with a portal-systemic shunt.

Hypothermia in VGKC antibody-associated limbic encephalitis.

Voltage-gated potassium channel antibody (VGKC-Ab)-associated limbic encephalitis (LE) is a recently described syndrome that broadens the spectrum of immunotherapy-responsive central nervous system disorders. Limbic encephalitis is typically characterised by a sub-acute onset of disorientation, amnesia and seizures, but the clinical spectrum is not yet fully defined and the syndrome could be under-diagnosed. We here describe the clinical profile of four patients with VGKC-Ab-associated LE who had intermittent, episodic hypothermia. One of the patients also described a prodrome of severe neuropathic pain preceding the development of limbic symptoms. Both of these novel symptoms responded well to immunosuppressive therapy, with concurrent amelioration of amnesia/seizures.

Progressive wild-type transthyretin deposition after liver transplantation preferentially occurs onto myocardium in FAP patients.

To elucidate whether progressive wild-type transthyretin (TTR) deposition can actually occur after liver transplantation (LT), amyloid fibrils were investigated in two familial amyloid polyneuropathy patients with TTR Val30Leu variant, who died 1 year after LT. Amyloid fibrils were extracted from cardiac muscles, sciatic nerves and kidney, which were investigated by the immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry method and liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry analysis. The ratio of wild-type to variant TTR in cardiac muscle was approximately 5:5 before LT, but greatly increased to about 9:1 after transplantation. The ratios in sciatic nerves and kidney obtained at autopsy were approximately 5:5. Wild-type TTR was undetectable in kidney amyloid obtained before LT. Our results indicate that paradoxical wild-type TTR deposition after LT can preferentially occur in myocardium, leading to fatal cardiac dysfunction, but it is quite likely that this phenomenon can also occur in other visceral organs.

Amyloidoma of a spinal root.

A unique case of amyloidoma presenting as a dumbbell-shaped tumor of a spinal root without bony erosion is described. Amyloid was also present in the facial nerve. DNA analysis for transthyretin was negative. Isolated amyloid fibers contained lambda light chains, and although plasma and urine immunoelectrophoresis performed by immunofixation was normal, it is possible the tumor may have been derived from an isolated plasmacytoma.

Oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis in a large kindred with a new transthyretin variant Tyr69His.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of a kindred with oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis and a newly associated transthyretin mutation. BACKGROUND: Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis can present in the form of oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis. Clinical features include dementia, seizures, stroke-like episodes, subarachnoid hemorrhage, ataxia, myelopathy, deafness, radiculopathy, and ocular amyloidosis. Eight TTR mutations associated with oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis have been described. METHODS: Fourteen individuals from a kindred with oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis were examined clinically and radiologically. Analysis of the TTR gene was performed. Neuropathologic examination was obtained on the index patient. RESULTS: Affected individuals had vitreous amyloid, radiculopathy, seizures, stroke-like episodes, encephalopathy, and dementia. Severely affected individuals died by the end of the fifth decade. Leptomeningeal enhancement on contrast MRI and elevated CSF protein were the defining features on investigations. Sequencing of exon 3 in the TTR gene found a base pair substitution at codon 69. This resulted in heterozygosity for normal tyrosine and variant histidine (ATTR Tyr69His) in affected family members. Domino liver transplantation was attempted as treatment for one family member. CONCLUSIONS: The ATTR Tyr69His mutation is associated with oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis. Expression of the genotype is variable. This has implications for treatment of affected individuals and counseling of family members. Efficacy of liver transplantation in patients with oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis remains unknown. The authors advocate the investigation of liver transplantation in patients with severe symptoms due to oculoleptomeningeal amyloidosis.

Renal amyloidosis caused by a novel stop-codon mutation in the apolipoprotein A-II gene.

BACKGROUND: Although apolipoprotein A-II (apoA-II) associated amyloidosis has been described in the senescent accelerated mouse (SAM) model of aging, so far there has been no report of human apoA-II amyloidosis except for a recent report of renal amyloidosis resulting from a stop-codon to glycine mutation of apoA-II. The mechanisms of amyloid formation in human apoA-II amyloidosis are not clear. METHODS: A 46-year-old Caucasian male with proteinuria noted at 42 years of age was studied. Renal biopsy revealed amyloid deposition in glomeruli. DNA analysis of genes known to be associated with hereditary renal amyloidosis revealed no abnormalities. To elucidate the type of his amyloidosis, apoA-II gene and plasma apoA-II were examined. RESULTS: DNA analysis revealed heterozygosity for a G to C transversion at the second position of the stop-codon of apoA-II gene, suggesting a stop to serine substitution at codon 78. Western blot analysis and amino acid sequence analysis of the patient's plasma apoA-II showed both normal apoA-II and variant apoA-II with a 21-amino acid residue extension at the C-terminus. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the patient's amyloid fibrils were derived from apoA-II and the amyloidogenesis is likely to be closely linked to the peptide extension at the C-terminus of variant apoA-II. The pathogenesis of human apoA-II amyloidosis is different from that of SAM.

Type II (adult onset) citrullinaemia: clinical pictures and the therapeutic effect of liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Adult onset type II citrullinemia is an inherited disorder of amino acid metabolism caused by a deficiency of liver specific argininosuccinate synthetase activity. Most of the patients with this disease were reported in Japan and therefore, this disease has not been well recognised outside this country. The detailed clinical pictures of the patients with type II citrullinaemia are reported and their outcomes after liver transplantation referred to. METHODS: Ten patients with this disease were evaluated. Seven of them underwent liver transplants using a graft obtained from a healthy family member. RESULTS: There were six men and four women; the age of onset of encephalopathy ranged from 17 to 51 years. The initial symptom in nine patients was sudden onset disturbance of consciousness, and one patient had long been regarded as having a chronic progressive psychotic illness. High concentrations of plasma citrulline and ammonia were commonly seen on admission. Although brain CT or MRI lacked any consistent findings, the EEG was abnormal in all patients, showing diffuse slow waves. Additionally, in five patients chronic pancreatitis preceded the onset of encephalopathy. After liver transplantation the metabolic abnormalities, including abnormal plasma concentrations of citrulline and ammonia, were immediately corrected and all neuropsychic symptoms soon disappeared, except for impaired cognitive function in one patient. Six out of these seven patients returned to their previous social lives, including work. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical concept of adult onset type II citrullinaemia coincides well with the range of hepatic encephalopathy, and liver transplantation is a very promising therapeutic approach.

An 80-year-old mitochondrial disease patient with A3243G tRNA(Leu(UUR)) gene presenting cardiac dysfunction as the main symptom.

MELAS is characterized by mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes, but cardiac involvement also frequently occurs. An 80-year-old female patient had been suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and neurosensory hearing loss. At the age of 79 she suffered metabolic acidosis with persistent drowsiness and was subsequently found to have severe cardiac dysfunction. Muscle biopsy disclosed the presence of abnormal mitochondria, and the MELAS gene mutation (A3243G of the tRNA(Leu(UUR))) was demonstrated. It is noteworthy that this mitochondrial disease patient has survived until a great age, which shows the wide clinical spectrum of MELAS, especially in the age of onset.

A new human hereditary amyloidosis: the result of a stop-codon mutation in the apolipoprotein AII gene.

Hereditary systemic amyloidosis may be caused by mutations in a number of plasma proteins including transthyretin, apolipoprotein AI, fibrinogen Aalpha-chain, lysozyme, and gelsolin. Each type of amyloidosis is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease and is associated with a structurally altered protein that aggregates to form amyloid fibrils. Here we report that the amyloid protein in a family with previously uncharacterized hereditary renal amyloidosis is apolipoprotein AII (apoAII) with a 21-residue peptide extension on the carboxyl terminus. Sequence analysis of the apoAII gene of affected individuals showed heterozygosity for a single base substitution in the apoAII stop codon. The mutation results in extension of translation to the next in-frame stop codon 60 nucleotides downstream and is predicted to give a 21-residue C-terminal extension of the apoAII protein identical to that found in the amyloid. This mutation produces a novel BstNI restriction site that can be used to identify individuals with this gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. This is the first report of apoAII amyloid in humans and the first mutation identified in apoAII protein. Amyloid fibril formation from apoAII suggests that this lipoprotein, which is predicted to have an amphipathic helical structure, must undergo a transition to a beta-pleated sheet by a mechanism shared by other lipoproteins that form amyloid.

Nodular cutaneous amyloidosis and carpal tunnel syndrome due to the amyloidogenic transthyretin His 114 variant.

This is the second report of transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis in a patient who had ATTR Tyr114His diagnosed by mass spectrometry and gene analysis. This case had some clinical features that differed from those of the first reported cases. The patient, 73-year-old man, complained of generalized cutaneous tubercula that had started at age 68. These tubercula gradually increased in size and became generalized. He felt a slight numbness in his extremities. Clinical and electrophysiological examinations revealed that he had bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), whereas there was no clear evidence of sensory and/or motor polyneuropathy. Autonomic symptoms were not present. Biopsy studies revealed that both his tuberculum and his sural nerve contained TTR-related amyloid. In his sural nerve, amyloid deposits were observed mainly in the perineurium, not in the endoneurium, and there was no significant depletion of myelinated fibers. The features of this patient were clinically characterized by generalized cutaneous amyloid deposits and late-onset CTS with a lack of overt polyneuropathy and autonomic dysfunction. The unique clinical features in this case seemed to be consistent with the distribution of amyloid deposits.

Biochemical characterization of a neuroserpin variant associated with hereditary dementia.

Neuroserpin isolated from inclusion bodies in the brain of a patient with a neurodegenerative disease was characterized biochemically. The protein consisted of residues 20 to 410 of the neuroserpin precursor deduced from its cDNA sequence indicating the entire molecule was deposited. A minor amount started with residue 19 of the precursor, and the carboxyl terminus was heterogeneous ending at residues 405, 407, 409, and 410. Arg was present at position 52. No normal Ser52 was found indicating that only mutant neuroserpin was present in the inclusion bodies. The three potential Asn glycosylation sites all contained carbohydrate. DNA sequence analysis of exons 2 to 9 of the neuroserpin gene in the proband showed the published normal neuroserpin sequence except for the presence of both adenine and cytosine at the first position of codon 52, that indicates heterozygosity for both the normal Ser(AGT) and variant Arg(CGT) at this position in the expressed protein. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of a polymerase chain reaction product from exon 2 revealed the propositus and his affected sibling both were heterozygous for the mutation whereas 100 unaffected controls were negative. Chemical characterization of the variant neuroserpin will significantly enhance the understanding of this protein in both normal physiology and neurodegenerative diseases.

Distinctive multidrug sensitivity and outcome of acute erythroblastic and megakaryoblastic leukemia in children with Down syndrome.

We assessed the in vitro chemosensitivity of acute erythroblastic and megakaryoblastic leukemia cells from children with Down syndrome (DS) compared to non-DS children. We conducted in vitro tests using the MTT assay of bone marrow samples from 12 children with DS and 16 children without DS. Patients were newly diagnosed based on the morphology and expression of platelet-specific antigens. Induction failure occurred more frequently in the non-DS group (n = 4) than in the DS group (n = 0, P = .053). Children with DS had a superior event-free survival (EFS) probability of 0.750 at 4 years, compared to an EFS probability of 0.375 for non-DS children (P = .049). Blast cells from DS patients were significantly more sensitive to daunorubicin, melphalan, mitoxantrone, 4-hydroperoxy-cyclophosphamide, vincristine, etoposide, bleomycin, and pirarubicin than those from non-DS patients. Four of the 16 non-DS patients were found to have acquired an extra chromosome 21 in their leukemia cells: blasts from these patients also tended to have greater chemosensitivity than those from patients without an extra chromosome 21. Blast cells from DS patients are markedly sensitive to various drugs. These results suggest that the fragility of blast cells derived from DS patients may be related to an increased susceptibility to apoptosis.

Life-threatening orthostatic hypotension in a case with bulbo-myelo-radiculo-neuropathy.

A 59-year-old female developed acute autonomic failure accompanied by life-threatening orthostatic hypotension. Reduced plasma noradrenaline levels and enhanced pressure response to noradrenaline infusion were compatible with a diagnosis of acute pan-dysautonomia. However, nerve conduction tests clearly revealed motor and sensory nerve involvement and abnormal F-responses. A sural nerve biopsy and catecholamine fluorescence study of the rectal mucosa revealed relatively preserved postganglionic unmyelinated nerve fibers. Six weeks later, the patient developed another episode of bulbar palsy and right hemiparesis; the MRI showed lesions in the medulla oblongata and right cervical spinal cord. The prognosis of acute pan-dysautonomia is usually unsatisfactory, but the present patient showed good steroid-responsiveness probably because impaired preganglionic sympathetic myelinated fibers and medulla oblongata recovered quickly.

Generation of HLA-A2 subtype specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes from cord blood used for cord blood stem cell transplantation.

Alloantigen reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were generated from cord blood (CB) lymphocytes used for cord blood stem cell transplantation (CBSCT). The CTL were cytotoxic against the patient's leukemic cells, as well as the patient's EBV-lymphoblastoid cell line (EBV-LCL), and PHA blasts. The cytotoxicity against patient's EBV-LCL was blocked by anti-HLA-A2 MoAb, and anti-HLA-class I MoAb. The CTL recognized A*0206 positive EBV-LCLs, but not A*0201, A*0204, or A*0207 positive EBV-LCLs, suggesting that this CTL recognizes HLA-A*0206. This case suggests that CB T cells may be competent enough to generate CTL to induce a GVL effect, together with those against A*0206, in patients with CBSCT.