The Role of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathways in Different Models of Cardiac Hypertrophy in Rats.

Cardiac hypertrophy develops following different triggers of pressure or volume overload. In several previous studies, different hypertrophy types were demonstrated following alterations in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. In the current study, we studied two types of cardiac hypertrophy models in rats: eccentric and concentric hypertrophy. For the eccentric hypertrophy model, iron deficiency anemia caused by a low-iron diet was implemented, while surgical aortic constriction was used to induce aortic stenosis (AS) and concentric cardiac hypertrophy. The hearts were evaluated using echocardiography, histological sections, and scanning electron microscopy. The expression of ERK1/2 was analyzed using Western blot. During the study period, anemic rats developed eccentric hypertrophy characterized by an enlarged left ventricle (LV) cavity cross-sectional area (CSA) (59.9 ± 5.1 mm2 vs. 47 ± 8.1 mm2, p = 0.002), thinner septum (2.1 ± 0.3 mm vs. 2.5 ± 0.2 mm, p < 0.05), and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (52.6% + 4.7 vs. 60.3% + 2.8, p < 0.05). Rats with AS developed concentric hypertrophy with a thicker septum (2.8 ± 0.6 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1 p < 0.05), increased LV muscle cross-sectional area (79.5 ± 9.33 mm2 vs. 57.9 ± 5.0 mm2, p < 0.001), and increased LVEF (70.3% + 2.8 vs. 60.0% + 2.1, p < 0.05). ERK1/2 expression decreased in the anemic rats and increased in the rats with AS. Nevertheless, the p-ERK and the p-MEK did not change significantly in all the examined models. We concluded that ERK1/2 expression was altered by the type of hypertrophy and the change in LVEF.

A Founder Mutation in EHD1 Presents with Tubular Proteinuria and Deafness.

BACKGROUND: The endocytic reabsorption of proteins in the proximal tubule requires a complex machinery and defects can lead to tubular proteinuria. The precise mechanisms of endocytosis and processing of receptors and cargo are incompletely understood. EHD1 belongs to a family of proteins presumably involved in the scission of intracellular vesicles and in ciliogenesis. However, the relevance of EHD1 in human tissues, in particular in the kidney, was unknown. METHODS: Genetic techniques were used in patients with tubular proteinuria and deafness to identify the disease-causing gene. Diagnostic and functional studies were performed in patients and disease models to investigate the pathophysiology. RESULTS: We identified six individuals (5-33 years) with proteinuria and a high-frequency hearing deficit associated with the homozygous missense variant c.1192C>T (p.R398W) in EHD1. Proteinuria (0.7-2.1 g/d) consisted predominantly of low molecular weight proteins, reflecting impaired renal proximal tubular endocytosis of filtered proteins. Ehd1 knockout and Ehd1R398W/R398W knockin mice also showed a high-frequency hearing deficit and impaired receptor-mediated endocytosis in proximal tubules, and a zebrafish model showed impaired ability to reabsorb low molecular weight dextran. Interestingly, ciliogenesis appeared unaffected in patients and mouse models. In silico structural analysis predicted a destabilizing effect of the R398W variant and possible inference with nucleotide binding leading to impaired EHD1 oligomerization and membrane remodeling ability. CONCLUSIONS: A homozygous missense variant of EHD1 causes a previously unrecognized autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural deafness and tubular proteinuria. Recessive EHD1 variants should be considered in individuals with hearing impairment, especially if tubular proteinuria is noted.

COG6-CDG: Expanding the phenotype with emphasis on glycosylation defects involved in the causation of male disorders of sex development.

COG6-congenital disorder of glycosylation (COG6-CDG) is caused by biallelic mutations in COG6. To-date, 12 variants causing COG6-CDG in less than 20 patients have been reported. Using whole exome sequencing we identified two siblings with a novel homozygous deletion of 26 bp in COG6, creating a splicing variant (c.518_540 + 3del) and a shift in the reading frame. The phenotype of COG6-CDG includes growth and developmental retardation, microcephaly, liver and gastrointestinal disease, hypohydrosis and recurrent infections. We report two patients with novel phenotypic features including bowel malrotation and ambiguous genitalia, directing attention to the role of glycoprotein metabolism in the causation of disorders of sex development (DSD). Searching the glycomic literature, we identified 14 CDGs including males with DSD, a feature not previously accentuated. This study broadens the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of COG6-CDG and calls for increasing awareness to the central role of glycosylation processes in development of human sex and genitalia.

Newborn screening for cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is the solution for early identification and treatment.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a progressive metabolic leukodystrophy. Early identification and treatment from birth onward effectively provides a functional cure, but diagnosis is often delayed. We conducted a pilot study using a two-tier test for CTX to screen archived newborn dried bloodspots (DBSs) or samples collected prospectively from a high-risk Israeli newborn population. All DBS samples were analyzed with flow injection analysis (FIA)-MS/MS, and 5% of samples were analyzed with LC-MS/MS. Consecutively collected samples were analyzed to identify CTX-causing founder genetic variants common among Druze and Moroccan Jewish populations. First-tier analysis with FIA-MS/MS provided 100% sensitivity to detect CTX-positive newborn DBSs, with a low false-positive rate (0.1-0.5%). LC-MS/MS, as a second-tier test, provided 100% sensitivity to detect CTX-positive newborn DBSs with a false-positive rate of 0% (100% specificity). In addition, 5ß-cholestane-3α,7α,12α,25-tetrol-3-O-ß-D-glucuronide was identified as the predominant bile-alcohol disease marker present in CTX-positive newborn DBSs. In newborns identifying as Druze, a 1:30 carriership frequency was determined for the c.355delC CYP27A1 gene variant, providing an estimated disease prevalence of 1:3,600 in this population. These data support the feasibility of two-tier DBS screening for CTX in newborns and set the stage for large-scale prospective pilot studies.