Biallelic mutations in the CCN6 gene are known to cause a rare genetic disorder—progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia (PPD). PPD is characterized by distinct joint deformities of interphalangeal joints, stiffness, gait disturbance, abnormal posture, and absence of inflammation, resulting in significant morbidity. The largest case series of PPD from India suggests c.233G>A and c.1010G>A to be the most common mutations in the CCN6 gene, although the distribution of these variants among endogamous communities in India has not been carried out. We here report three cases of PPD from three independent families belonging to the Patni community of Gujarat, a community known to practice endogamy. All three cases had short stature, gait disturbance, scoliosis, and interphalangeal joint deformities. Analysis by whole-exome sequencing in the first case showed the presence of a previously known, homozygous, missense variant c.298T>A (p.Cys100Ser) in exon 3 of the CCN6 gene in all cases. Due to all three families belonging to the same community, analysis by Sanger sequencing in the remaining two cases for the variant mentioned earlier showed both cases to be of homozygous mutant genotype. Unaffected family members, i.e., parents and siblings, were either heterozygous carriers or wildtype for the said variant. The present case series is the first report of a recurrent variant occurring across multiple PPD-affected individuals from unrelated families belonging to the same community from India.
Patients with progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia: From clinical diagnosis to molecular studies
