Associated anomalies in anophthalmia and microphthalmia.

Infants with anophthalmia and microphthalmia (an/microphthalmia) have often other associated congenital anomalies. The reported frequency and the types of these associated anomalies vary between different studies. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the frequency and the types of associated anomalies among cases with an/microphthalmia in a geographically well defined population of northeastern France of 387,067 consecutive pregnancies from 1979 to 2007. Of the 98 infants with an/microphthalmia born during this period (prevalence at birth of 2.53 per 10,000), 88.8 % had associated anomalies. Cases with associated anomalies were divided into recognizable conditions (25 (25.5%) cases with chromosomal and 17 (17.3%) cases with non chromosomal conditions), and non recognizable conditions (45-45.9%- cases with multiple congenital anomalies -MCA). Trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 were the most frequent chromosomal abnormalities. Amniotic bands sequence, oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum, CHARGE syndrome and VACTERL association were most often present in recognizable non chromosomal conditions. Anomalies in the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and central nervous systems were the most common other anomalies in cases with MCA and non recognizable conditions. However, given the limitation of the limited numbers of cases there should be urging caution in interpreting these results. In conclusion the frequency of associated anomalies in infants with anophthalmia and microphthalmia emphasizes the need for a thorough investigation of these cases. Routine screening for other anomalies especially musculoskeletal, cardiac and central nervous systems anomalies may need to be considered in infants with anophthalmia and microphthalmia, and referral of these cases for genetic counselling seems warranty.

Ocular development after highly effective modulator treatment early in life.

Highly effective cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies (HEMT), including elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor, correct the underlying molecular defect causing CF. HEMT decreases general symptom burden by improving clinical metrics and quality of life for most people with CF (PwCF) with eligible CFTR variants. This has resulted in more pregnancies in women living with CF. All HEMT are known to be able pass through the placenta and into breast milk in mothers who continue on this therapy while pregnant and breast feeding. Toxicity studies of HEMT in young rats demonstrated infant cataracts, and case reports have reported the presence of congenital cataracts in early life exposure to HEMT. This article reviews the evidence for how HEMT influences the dynamic and interdependent processes of healthy and abnormal lens development in the context of HEMT exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and raises questions that remain unanswered.

Reproductive Toxicity and Teratogenicity of Fluorene-9-bisphenol on Chinese Medaka (Oryzias sinensis): A Study from Laboratory to Field.

Fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF), a bisphenol A (BPA) substitute, has been increasingly used as a material in syntheses of polymers that are widely used in road markings, artificial tracks, coating floors, building paints, etc., increasing the likelihood of BHPF contamination in the aquatic environment due to its release from the products. However, to date, it is unknown whether it may have actual impacts on fish in real environments. In this study, a 105-day exposure experiment of BHPF at various concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 µg/L) on Chinese medaka (Oryzias sinensis) was performed under laboratory conditions and found decreased fecundity, such as lower egg qualities and quantities, retarded oogenesis, and atretic follicles in the fish and deformed eyes and bodies in its F1 generation. Toxico-transcriptome analyses showed that estrogen-responsive genes were significantly suppressed by BHPF, indicating that antagonist properties of BHPF on estrogen receptors might be causes for the decreased fecundity. Field investigations (Beijing) demonstrated that BHPF was detectable in 60% surface waters, with a mean concentration of 10.49 ± 6.33 ng/L, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and similar effects in wild Chinese medaka were also observed, some of which the parameters were found to be obviously correlated with the BHPF levels in corresponding waters.

RBP4-related eye disease in a Danish family with retinitis pigmentosa and congenital ocular malformations.

PURPOSE: Retinol binding protein (RBP4) is important for transport of vitamin A from liver to end organs. Variants in the RBP4 gene have been associated with a broad range of ocular phenotypes but only in a small number of patients. METHODS: We describe the phenotypes in a multi-generation family with RPB4 variants. RESULTS: A sibling pair was found to be homozygous for a novel pathogenic variant (c.112-2A>G) in RBP4. Both had presented with early-onset atypical retinitis pigmentosa and they had rheumatoid arthritis and acne. The female sibling became the mother of a child, heterozygote for the variant. The child was born with ocular malformations including corneal opacities, microcornea, posterior staphyloma including the optic nerves. The child did not demonstrate any signs of night blindness or progressive retinal dystrophy. In addition, two older family members were reported to be night blind and two distant relatives were born with spina bifida but were not available for genetic testing. DISCUSSION: Homozygous variants were associated with severe retinal dystrophy, rheumatoid disease, and acne whereas malformations were likely associated with reduced intra-uterine vitamin A levels. It seems advisable to monitor and treat vitamin A deficiency in all patients carrying one or more variants in the RBP4 gene especially during pregnancy.

Importancia de la neuroimagen en la anoftalmia/microftalmia congénita neonatal: a propósito de un caso / Importance of neuroimaging in neonatal congenital anophthalmia/microphthalmia: a case report

Introducción: La Anoftalmia/Microftalmia es una malformación ocular congénita que se caracteriza por la reducción variable del volumen del globo ocular, la misma requiere de estudios imagenológicos para un diagnóstico más preciso. Objetivo: Demostrar la importancia de la neuroimagen en el diagnóstico y orientación de la microftalmia/anoftalmia neonatal congénita bilateral. Presentación del caso: Se hace referencia a un recién nacido con diagnóstico clínico de anoftalmia/microftalmia de manera inicial que después de realizar estudios de neuroimagen se constataron otras malformaciones del sistema nervioso central que permitieron orientar el diagnóstico hacia un síndrome genético definido. Durante el examen físico inicial se constató hipertelorismo, orejas de implantación baja, fisura palatina, ano anterior y ausencia de los globos oculares en ambos lados. La Resonancia magnética nuclear mostró esbozos de cristalinos rudimentarios, ubicados en zona atípica y esbozo de nervio óptico incompleto del lado derecho. No se observaron globos oculares. Observándose además múltiples imágenes de aspecto quístico bilaterales en las áreas orbitarias que desplazan los cristalinos rudimentarios por conflicto de espacio. Este paciente requirió estudios de neuroimagen para determinar si se trataba de una anoftalmia/microftalmia y para orientar el diagnóstico de displasia septo-óptica que organizó el pensamiento clínico hacia un posible Síndrome de Morsier. En este caso se realizó diagnóstico diferencial con otras causas asociadas a estas malformaciones oculares. Conclusiones: Los estudios imagenológicos del cerebro de los pacientes con anoftalmia / microftalmia en la etapa neonatal permiten orientar un diagnóstico preciso y precoz que favorece una intervención multidisciplinaria temprana(AU)

Introduction: Anophthalmia/microphthalmia is a congenital eye malformation that is characterized by the variable reduction of the volume of the ocular globe, which requires imaging studies for a more precise diagnosis. Objective: To demonstrate the importance of neuroimaging in the diagnosis and management of neonatal congenital bilateral anophthalmia/microphthalmia. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a newborn with an initial clinical diagnosis of anophthalmia/microphthalmia in which, after carrying out neuroimaging studies, other malformations of the central nervous system were confirmed, allowing to guide the diagnosis towards a defined genetic syndrome. During the initial physical exam, hypertelorism, low set ears, palatine fissure, anterior anus, and absence of the ocular globes in both sides were verified. The magnetic resonance imaging showed signals of rudimentary crystalline located in an atypical area, and signals of incomplete optic nerve of the right side. Ocular globes were not observed. Multiple cyst-like bilateral images were also observed in orbital areas, displacing the rudimentary crystalline lens due to space limitations. Discussion: This patient required neuroimaging studies to determine if she had an anophthalmia/microphthalmia and present a guide for the diagnosis of septo-optic dysplasia that organized the clinical thinking towards a possible Morsier Syndrome. In this case, a differential diagnosis with other causes associated to these ocular malformations was made. Conclusions: The imaging studies of the brain of the patients with anophthalmia/microphthalmia in the neonatal period allows to guide a precise and early diagnosis that favors an early multidisciplinary intervention(AU)

Methylation status of the putative Pax6 promoter in olive ridley sea turtle embryos with eye defects: An initial approach.

Normal development involves the interplay of genetic and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Pax6 is an eye-selector factor responsible for initiating the regulatory cascade for the development of the eyes. For the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), a threatened species, eye malformations have been reported. In order to study the DNA methylation status of the putative promoter of the Pax6 gene in embryos with ocular malformations, an exploratory study was carried out in which DNA was isolated from embryos with anophthalmia, microphthalmia, and cyclopia, as well as from their normal counterparts. The 5'-flanking region from the Pax6 gene was isolated, showing two CpG islands (CGIs). The methylation status of CGIs in malformed embryos was compared with that of normal embryos by bisulfite sequencing. Putative transcription factor binding sites and regulatory features were identified. Methylation patterns were observed in both CpG and non-CpG contexts, and were unique for each malformed embryo; in the CpG context, an embryo with cyclopia showed a methylated cytosine upstream the CGI-1 not present in other embryos, an embryo with left anophthalmia presented two methylated cytosines in the CGI-1, whereas an embryo with left anophthalmia and right microphthalmia showed two methylated cytosines in the CGI-2. Normal embryos did not show methylated cytosines in the CGI-1, but one of them showed one methylcytosine in the CGI-2. Methylated transcription factor-binding sites may affect Pax6 expression associated to the cellular response to environmental compounds and hypoxia, signal transduction, cell cycle, lens physiology and development, as well as the transcription rate. Although preliminary, these results suggest that embryos with ocular malformations present unique DNA methylation patterns in the putative promoter of the Pax6 gene in L. olivacea, and probably those subtle, random changes in the methylation status can cause (at least in part) the aberrant phenotypes observed in these embryos.

36th Annual David W. Smith Workshop on Malformations and Morphogenesis: Abstracts of the 2015 annual meeting.

The 36th Annual David W Smith Workshop on Malformations and Morphogenesis was held on August 14-19, 2015 at the Harbourtowne Conference Center in St. Michaels Maryland. The Workshop, which honors the legacy of David W Smith, brought together over 120 clinicians and researchers interested in congenital malformations and their underlying mechanisms of morphogenesis. As is the tradition of the meeting, the Workshop highlighted five themes besides mechanisms of morphogenesis: Rasopathies, Eye Malformations, Therapeutics, Prenatal Diagnosis, and Disorders of Sex Development. This Conference Report includes the abstracts presented at the 2015 Workshop. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Genetic regulation of vertebrate eye development.

Eye development is a complex and highly regulated process that consists of several overlapping stages: (i) specification then splitting of the eye field from the developing forebrain; (ii) genesis and patterning of the optic vesicle; (iii) regionalization of the optic cup into neural retina and retina pigment epithelium; and (iv) specification and differentiation of all seven retinal cell types that develop from a pool of retinal progenitor cells in a precise temporal and spatial manner: retinal ganglion cells, horizontal cells, cone photoreceptors, amacrine cells, bipolar cells, rod photoreceptors and Müller glia. Genetic regulation of the stages of eye development includes both extrinsic (such as morphogens, growth factors) and intrinsic factors (primarily transcription factors of the homeobox and basic helix-loop helix families). In the following review, we will provide an overview of the stages of eye development highlighting the role of several important transcription factors in both normal developmental processes and in inherited human eye diseases.