Germline SFTPA1 mutation in familial idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and lung cancer.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) comprise a heterogeneous group of rare lung parenchyma disorders with high morbidity and mortality, which can occur at all ages. In adults, the most common form of IIPs, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), has been associated with an increased frequency of lung cancer. The molecular basis of IIPs remains unknown in most cases. This study investigates IIP pathophysiology in 12 families affected by IPF and lung cancer. We identified, in a multigenerational family, nine members carrying a heterozygous missense mutation with evidence of pathogenicity in SFTPA1 that encodes the surfactant protein (SP)-A1. The mutation (p.Trp211Arg), which segregates with a disease phenotype characterized by either isolated IIP/IPF, or IPF associated with lung adenocarcinoma, is located in the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of SP-A1 and involves a residue invariant throughout evolution, not only in SP-A1, but also in its close paralog SP-A2 and other CRD-containing proteins. As shown through functional studies, the p.Trp211Arg mutation impairs SP-A1 secretion. Immunohistochemistry studies on patient alveolar epithelium showed an altered SP-A expression pattern. Overall, this first report of a germline molecular defect in SFTPA1 unveils the key role of SP-A1 in the occurrence of several chronic respiratory diseases, ranging from severe respiratory insufficiency occurring early in life to the association of lung fibrosis and cancer in adult patients. These data also clearly show that, in spite of their structural and functional similarities, SP-A1 and SP-A2 are not redundant.

A national internet-linked based database for pediatric interstitial lung diseases: the French network.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) in children represent a heterogeneous group of rare respiratory disorders that affect the lung parenchyma. After the launch of the French Reference Centre for Rare Lung Diseases (RespiRare®), we created a national network and a web-linked database to collect data on pediatric ILD. METHODS: Since 2008, the database has been set up in all RespiRare® centres. After patient's parents' oral consent is obtained, physicians enter the data of children with ILD: identity, social data and environmental data; specific aetiological diagnosis of the ILD if known, genetics, patient visits to the centre, and all medical examinations and tests done for the diagnosis and/or during follow up. Each participating centre has a free access to his own patients' data only, and cross-centre studies require mutual agreement. Physicians may use the system as a daily aid for patient care through a web-linked medical file, backed on this database. RESULTS: Data was collected for 205 cases of ILD. The M/F sex ratio was 0.9. Median age at diagnosis was 1.5 years old [0-16.9]. A specific aetiology was identified in 149 (72.7%) patients while 56 (27.3%) cases remain undiagnosed. Surfactant deficiencies and alveolar proteinosis, haemosiderosis, and sarcoidosis represent almost half of the diagnoses. Median length of follow-up is 2.9 years [0-17.2]. CONCLUSIONS: We introduce here the French network and the largest national database in pediatric ILDs. The diagnosis spectrum and the estimated incidence are consistent with other European databases. An important challenge will be to reduce the proportion of unclassified ILDs by a standardized diagnosis work-up. This database is a great opportunity to improve patient care and disease pathogenesis knowledge. A European network including physicians and European foundations is now emerging with the initial aim of devising a simplified European database/register as a first step to larger European studies.