Ocular Manifestations in Patients Affected by p63-Associated Disorders: Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal Dysplasia-Clefting (EEC) and Ankyloblepharon-Ectodermal Defects-Cleft Lip Palate (AEC) Syndromes.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Ectrodactyly-Ectodermal dysplasia-Clefting (EEC) and Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defect-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndromes are rare autosomal dominant diseases caused by heterozygous mutations in the p63 gene. Patients are characterized by abnormalities of the skin, teeth, and hair and have limb defects, orofacial clefting and ectodermal dysplasia. In addition, they often show ocular surface alterations, leading to progressive corneal clouding and eventually blindness. Here, we present 8 cases describing patients affected by EEC (n = 6, with 5 sporadic and 1 familial cases) and AEC (n = 2, both sporadic cases) syndromes. We attempt to provide a description of the ocular disease progression over the years. METHODS: Clinical examinations and monitoring of ocular parameters for the assessment of limbal stem cell deficiency were constantly performed on patients between 2009 and 2023. Quantitative data and comparison with existing cases described in the literature are reported. RESULTS: The therapies supplied to patients were essential for the management of the symptoms, but unfortunately did not halt the progression of the pathology. CONCLUSIONS: A constant monitoring of the patients would help avoid the sudden worsening of symptoms. If the progression of the disease slows down, it would allow for the development of newer therapeutic strategies aimed at correcting the genetic defect.

TP63 gene mutation analysis in a case of ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To analyze pathogenic mutations in a child with ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome.Methods:Clinical data were collected from a patient with ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome, and DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the patient and his parents. High-throughput sequencing was performed in the patient by using a gene panel targeting hereditary skin diseases, aiming to determine sites of disease-causing gene mutations. Then, Sanger sequencing was conducted to bidirectionally verify the mutations in the patient and his parents.Results:The male patient aged 3 years and 9 months, and presented with extensive erythema, scales, erosions as well as repeated infections and erosions of the scalp after birth. Reticulated hyper- and hypopigmented patches and scars left on the trunk and limbs after healing of erosions. Physical examination also showed sparse scalp hair, absence of most eyebrows and eyelashes, cleft palate, dysplastic teeth, dystrophic finger and toe nails, and deformed ears without ankyloblepharon. Genetic testing of the patient showed a novel heterozygous missense mutation c.1790T>A (p.Ile597Asn) in the TP63 gene, which had not been reported previously and was rated as pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. This mutation was not identified in either of his parents.Conclusion:The novel heterozygous missense mutation c.1790T>A in the TP63 gene probably contributes to ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome in the patient, which expands genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of this disease.

Novel missense mutation of the TP63 gene in a newborn with Hay-Wells/Ankyloblepharon-Ectodermal defects-Cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome: clinical report and follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome, also known as Hay-Wells syndrome, is a rare genetic syndrome with ectodermal dysplasia. About 100 patients have been reported to date. It is associated to a heterozygous mutation of the tumor protein p63 (TP63) gene, located on chromosome 3q28. Typical clinical manifestations include: filiform ankyloblepharon adnatum (congenital adherence of the eyelids), ectodermal abnormalities (sparse and frizzy hair, skin defects, nail alterations, dental changes and hypohidrosis), and cleft lip/palate. Diagnostic suspicion is based on clinical signs and confirmed by genetic testing. PATIENT'S PRESENTATION: We hereby report on a female newborn with erythroderma, thin lamellar desquamations, extensive skin erosions, sparse and wiry hair, filiform ankyloblepharon adnatum, agenesis of the lachrymal puncta, cleft palate and nail dysplasia. Her phenotype was compatible with AEC syndrome. Then, based on the clinical suspicion, sequencing analysis of the TP63 gene was performed, and revealed a de novo novel missense mutation. Eyelids adherence and cleft palate underwent surgical correction, while skin erosions were treated with topical antibiotics/antifungals and emollient/re-epithelizing creams. A surgical reconstruction is presently planned for the agenesis of the lachrymal puncta. The infant currently is 17 months of age and is included in a multidisciplinary follow-up. At present shows growth impairment and mild developmental delay, and typical signs of ectodermal dysplasia with small areas of dermatitis lesions on the scalp, without further abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Our report underlines the relevance of an early and careful clinical evaluation in neonates with ankyloblefaron, facial dysmorphism, and signs of ectodermal dysplasia. In these cases, the suspicion of AEC syndrome must be promptly raised, and sequencing analysis of TP63 early performed as well. An individualized, multidisciplinary and long-term follow-up should be guaranteed to affected subjects and their families, also to identify associated morbidities and prevent possible serious complications and adverse outcomes.

Amino-terminal residues of ΔNp63, mutated in ectodermal dysplasia, are required for its transcriptional activity.

p63, a member of the p53 family, is a crucial transcription factor for epithelial development and skin homeostasis. Heterozygous mutations in TP63 gene have been associated with human ectodermal dysplasia disorders. Most of these TP63 mutations are missense mutations causing amino acidic substitutions at p63 DNA binding or SAM domains that reduce or abolish the transcriptional activity of mutants p63. A significant number of mutants, however, resides in part of the p63 protein that apparently do not affect DNA binding and/or transcriptional activity, such as the N-terminal domain. Here, we characterize five p63 mutations at the 5' end of TP63 gene aiming to understand the pathogenesis of the diseases and to uncover the role of ΔNp63α N-terminus residues in determining its transactivation potential.

Modeling AEC-New approaches to study rare genetic disorders.

Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome is a rare monogenetic disorder that is characterized by severe abnormalities in ectoderm-derived tissues, such as skin and its appendages. A major cause of morbidity among affected infants is severe and chronic skin erosions. Currently, supportive care is the only available treatment option for AEC patients. Mutations in TP63, a gene that encodes key regulators of epidermal development, are the genetic cause of AEC. However, it is currently not clear how mutations in TP63 lead to the various defects seen in the patients' skin. In this review, we will discuss current knowledge of the AEC disease mechanism obtained by studying patient tissue and genetically engineered mouse models designed to mimic aspects of the disorder. We will then focus on new approaches to model AEC, including the use of patient cells and stem cell technology to replicate the disease in a human tissue culture model. The latter approach will advance our understanding of the disease and will allow for the development of new in vitro systems to identify drugs for the treatment of skin erosions in AEC patients. Further, the use of stem cell technology, in particular induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), will enable researchers to develop new therapeutic approaches to treat the disease using the patient's own cells (autologous keratinocyte transplantation) after correction of the disease-causing mutations.

Síndrome de ectrodactilia, displasia ectodérmica y fisura de labio/paladar, informe de un caso con expresividad variable / Ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip/palate syndrome, report of a case with variable expressivity

El síndrome ectrodactilia, displasia ectodérmica y fisura de labio/paladar es una entidad poco frecuente, asociada a la mutación de genes que codifican la proteína p63. Presentamos un caso de un paciente con ectrodactilia en el pie derecho asociada a labio y paladar fisurados, sin otras alteraciones evidentes, con antecedente familiar de labio con paladar fisurado y muerte en el período perinatal. El manejo de cada caso de este síndrome debe ser específico y multidisciplinario.

The ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip/palate syndrome is a rare entity associated with mutations in the genes that express the protein p63. We present a case of a patient with right foot ectrodactyly associated with cleft lip and palate, without other evident anomalies. The patient has a positive familiar history for cleft lift and palate and mortality during the perinatal period. The management of each case must be specific and multidisciplinary.

Síndrome de ectrodactilia, displasia ectodérmica y fisura de labio/paladar, informe de un caso con expresividad variable / Ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia and cleft lip/palate syndrome, report of a case with variable expressivity

El síndrome ectrodactilia, displasia ectodérmica y fisura de labio/paladar es una entidad poco frecuente, asociada a la mutación de genes que codifican la proteína p63. Presentamos un caso de un paciente con ectrodactilia en el pie derecho asociada a labio y paladar fisurados, sin otras alteraciones evidentes, con antecedente familiar de labio con paladar fisurado y muerte en el período perinatal. El manejo de cada caso de este síndrome debe ser específico y multidisciplinario.(AU)

The ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-cleft lip/palate syndrome is a rare entity associated with mutations in the genes that express the protein p63. We present a case of a patient with right foot ectrodactyly associated with cleft lip and palate, without other evident anomalies. The patient has a positive familiar history for cleft lift and palate and mortality during the perinatal period. The management of each case must be specific and multidisciplinary.(AU)

Ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft lip/palate syndrome: A case report of "Incomplete syndrome".

Ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft lip/palate (EEC) is a rare syndrome having ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, and cleft lip/palate. So far, very few cases have been reported in literature. However, we report a case of incomplete EEC syndrome having ectrodactyly and cleft lip and palate with absence of signs of ectodermal dysplasia with no other systemic anomalies. Other feature noted is the syndactyly of toes which is reported rarely in this syndrome. A multidisciplinary approach for treatment is needed which is co-ordinated by pedodontist or pediatrician.