Clinical efficiency of simultaneous CNV-seq and whole-exome sequencing for testing fetal structural anomalies

Abstract Background Birth defects are responsible for approximately 7% of neonatal deaths worldwide by World Health Organization in 2004. Many methods have been utilized for examining the congenital anomalies in fetuses. This study aims to investigate the efficiency of simultaneous CNV-seq and whole-exome sequencing (WES) in the diagnosis of fetal anomaly based on a large Chinese cohort. Methods In this cohort study, 1800 pregnant women with singleton fetus in Hubei Province were recruited from 2018 to 2020 for prenatal ultrasonic screening. Those with fetal structural anomalies were transferred to the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province through a referral network in Hubei, China. After multidisciplinary consultation and decision on fetal outcome, products of conception (POC) samples were obtained. Simultaneous CNV-seq and WES was conducted to identify the fetal anomalies that can compress initial DNA and turnaround time of reports. Results In total, 959 couples were finally eligible for the enrollment. A total of 227 trios were identified with a causative alteration (CNV or variant), among which 191 (84.14%) were de novo. Double diagnosis of pathogenic CNVs and variants have been identified in 10 fetuses. The diagnostic yield of multisystem anomalies was significantly higher than single system anomalies (32.28% vs. 22.36%, P = 0.0183). The diagnostic rate of fetuses with consistent intra- and extra-uterine phenotypes (172/684) was significantly higher than the rate of these with inconsistent phenotypes (17/116, P = 0.0130). Conclusions Simultaneous CNV-seq and WES analysis contributed to fetal anomaly diagnosis and played a vital role in elucidating complex anomalies with compound causes.

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Genetic landscape of Rett syndrome-like phenotypes revealed by whole exome sequencing

Journal of Medical Genetics ◽

10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105775 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 56 (6) ◽

pp. 396-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Kazuhiro Iwama ◽

Takeshi Mizuguchi ◽

Eri Takeshita ◽

Eiji Nakagawa ◽

Tetsuya Okazaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Rett Syndrome ◽

De Novo ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Single Nucleotide Variants ◽

Serine Threonine Kinase ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Genetic Landscape ◽

Strong Candidate

BackgroundRett syndrome (RTT) is a characteristic neurological disease presenting with regressive loss of neurodevelopmental milestones. Typical RTT is generally caused by abnormality of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2). Our objective to investigate the genetic landscape of MECP2-negative typical/atypical RTT and RTT-like phenotypes using whole exome sequencing (WES).MethodsWe performed WES on 77 MECP2-negative patients either with typical RTT (n=11), atypical RTT (n=22) or RTT-like phenotypes (n=44) incompatible with the RTT criteria.ResultsPathogenic or likely pathogenic single-nucleotide variants in 28 known genes were found in 39 of 77 (50.6%) patients. WES-based CNV analysis revealed pathogenic deletions involving six known genes (including MECP2) in 8 of 77 (10.4%) patients. Overall, diagnostic yield was 47 of 77 (61.0 %). Furthermore, strong candidate variants were found in four novel genes: a de novo variant in each of ATPase H+ transporting V0 subunit A1 (ATP6V0A1), ubiquitin-specific peptidase 8 (USP8) and microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase 3 (MAST3), as well as biallelic variants in nuclear receptor corepressor 2 (NCOR2).ConclusionsOur study provides a new landscape including additional genetic variants contributing to RTT-like phenotypes, highlighting the importance of comprehensive genetic analysis.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Whole-exome sequencing in the evaluation of fetal structural anomalies: a prospective cohort study.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.734961716.793573988 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Guy Rouleau

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Structural Anomalies

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Whole-exome sequencing with targeted analysis and epilepsy after acute symptomatic neonatal seizures

Pediatric Research ◽

10.1038/s41390-021-01509-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Adam L. Numis ◽

Gilberto da Gente ◽

Elliott H. Sherr ◽

Hannah C. Glass

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

De Novo ◽

List Type ◽

Sequencing Analysis ◽

Neonatal Seizures ◽

Pathogenic Variants ◽

Targeted Analysis ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Epilepsy Gene

Abstract Background The contribution of pathogenic gene variants with development of epilepsy after acute symptomatic neonatal seizures is not known. Methods Case–control study of 20 trios in children with a history of acute symptomatic neonatal seizures: 10 with and 10 without post-neonatal epilepsy. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) and identified pathogenic de novo, transmitted, and non-transmitted variants from established and candidate epilepsy association genes and correlated prevalence of these variants with epilepsy outcomes. We performed a sensitivity analysis with genes associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). We analyzed variants throughout the exome to evaluate for differential enrichment of functional properties using exploratory KEGG searches. Results Querying 200 established and candidate epilepsy genes, pathogenic variants were identified in 5 children with post-neonatal epilepsy yet in only 1 child without subsequent epilepsy. There was no difference in the number of trios with non-transmitted pathogenic variants in epilepsy or CAD genes. An exploratory KEGG analysis demonstrated a relative enrichment in cell death pathways in children without subsequent epilepsy. Conclusions In this pilot study, children with epilepsy after acute symptomatic neonatal seizures had a higher prevalence of coding variants with a targeted epilepsy gene sequencing analysis compared to those patients without subsequent epilepsy. Impact We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 20 trios, including 10 children with epilepsy and 10 without epilepsy, both after acute symptomatic neonatal seizures. Children with post-neonatal epilepsy had a higher burden of pathogenic variants in epilepsy-associated genes compared to those without post-neonatal epilepsy. Future studies evaluating this association may lead to a better understanding of the risk of epilepsy after acute symptomatic neonatal seizures and elucidate molecular pathways that are dysregulated after brain injury and implicated in epileptogenesis.

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One test for all: whole exome sequencing significantly improves the diagnostic yield in growth retarded patients referred for molecular testing for Silver–Russell syndrome

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases ◽

10.1186/s13023-021-01683-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Robert Meyer ◽

Matthias Begemann ◽

Christian Thomas Hübner ◽

Daniela Dey ◽

Alma Kuechler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Uniparental Disomy ◽

Molecular Testing ◽

Main Body ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Maternal Uniparental Disomy ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Silver Russell Syndrome

Abstract Background Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is an imprinting disorder which is characterised by severe primordial growth retardation, relative macrocephaly and a typical facial gestalt. The clinical heterogeneity of SRS is reflected by a broad spectrum of molecular changes with hypomethylation in 11p15 and maternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 7 (upd(7)mat) as the most frequent findings. Monogenetic causes are rare, but a clinical overlap with numerous other disorders has been reported. However, a comprehensive overview on the contribution of mutations in differential diagnostic genes to phenotypes reminiscent to SRS is missing due to the lack of appropriate tests. With the implementation of next generation sequencing (NGS) tools this limitation can now be circumvented. Main body We analysed 75 patients referred for molecular testing for SRS by a NGS-based multigene panel, whole exome sequencing (WES), and trio-based WES. In 21/75 patients a disease-causing variant could be identified among them variants in known SRS genes (IGF2, PLAG1, HMGA2). Several patients carried variants in genes which have not yet been considered as differential diagnoses of SRS. Conclusions WES approaches significantly increase the diagnostic yield in patients referred for SRS testing. Several of the identified monogenetic disorders have a major impact on clinical management and genetic counseling.

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Exome sequencing in paediatric patients with movement disorders

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases ◽

10.1186/s13023-021-01688-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Ka-Yee Kwong ◽

Mandy Ho-Yin Tsang ◽

Jasmine Lee-Fong Fung ◽

Christopher Chun-Yu Mak ◽

Kate Lok-San Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Movement Disorders ◽

Rare Variants ◽

Diagnostic Yield ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Genetic Diagnosis ◽

Potential Treatment ◽

Paediatric Patients ◽

Whole Exome

Abstract Background Movement disorders are a group of heterogeneous neurological diseases including hyperkinetic disorders with unwanted excess movements and hypokinetic disorders with reduction in the degree of movements. The objective of our study is to investigate the genetic etiology of a cohort of paediatric patients with movement disorders by whole exome sequencing and to review the potential treatment implications after a genetic diagnosis. Results We studied a cohort of 31 patients who have paediatric-onset movement disorders with unrevealing etiologies. Whole exome sequencing was performed and rare variants were interrogated for pathogenicity. Genetic diagnoses have been confirmed in 10 patients with disease-causing variants in CTNNB1, SPAST, ATP1A3, PURA, SLC2A1, KMT2B, ACTB, GNAO1 and SPG11. 80% (8/10) of patients with genetic diagnosis have potential treatment implications and treatments have been offered to them. One patient with KMT2B dystonia showed clinical improvement with decrease in dystonia after receiving globus pallidus interna deep brain stimulation. Conclusions A diagnostic yield of 32% (10/31) was reported in our cohort and this allows a better prediction of prognosis and contributes to a more effective clinical management. The study highlights the potential of implementing precision medicine in the patients.

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Analysis workflow to assess de novo genetic variants from human whole-exome sequencing

STAR Protocols ◽

10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 100383

Author(s):

Nicholas S. Diab ◽

Spencer King ◽

Weilai Dong ◽

Garrett Allington ◽

Amar Sheth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Genetic Variants ◽

De Novo ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Analysis Workflow

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Whole Exome Sequencing in Coloboma/Microphthalmia: Identification of Novel and Recurrent Variants in Seven Genes

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12010065 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 65

Author(s):

Patricia Haug ◽

Samuel Koller ◽

Jordi Maggi ◽

Elena Lang ◽

Silke Feil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Exome Sequencing ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Genetic Screening ◽

De Novo ◽

Efficient Tool ◽

Sequencing Technologies ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Screening And Identification ◽

High Throughput Dna Sequencing ◽

New Mutations

Coloboma and microphthalmia (C/M) are related congenital eye malformations, which can cause significant visual impairment. Molecular diagnosis is challenging as the genes associated to date with C/M account for only a small percentage of cases. Overall, the genetic cause remains unknown in up to 80% of patients. High throughput DNA sequencing technologies, including whole-exome sequencing (WES), are therefore a useful and efficient tool for genetic screening and identification of new mutations and novel genes in C/M. In this study, we analyzed the DNA of 19 patients with C/M from 15 unrelated families using singleton WES and data analysis for 307 genes of interest. We identified seven novel and one recurrent potentially disease-causing variants in CRIM1, CHD7, FAT1, PTCH1, PUF60, BRPF1, and TGFB2 in 47% of our families, three of which occurred de novo. The detection rate in patients with ocular and extraocular manifestations (67%) was higher than in patients with an isolated ocular phenotype (46%). Our study highlights the significant genetic heterogeneity in C/M cohorts and emphasizes the diagnostic power of WES for the screening of patients and families with C/M.

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Whole exome sequencing identifies FOXL2, FOXA2 and FOXA3 as candidate genes for monogenic congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfab253 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bixia Zheng ◽

Steve Seltzsam ◽

Chunyan Wang ◽

Luca Schierbaum ◽

Sophia Schneider ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urinary Tract ◽

Exome Sequencing ◽

Candidate Genes ◽

Whole Exome Sequencing ◽

Congenital Anomalies ◽

De Novo ◽

Horseshoe Kidney ◽

Missense Variant ◽

Whole Exome ◽

Fox Genes

Abstract Background Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) constitute the most common cause of chronic kidney disease in the first three decades of life. Variants in four Forkhead box (FOX) transcription factors have been associated with CAKUT. We hypothesized that other FOX genes, if highly expressed in developing kidney, may also represent monogenic causes of CAKUT. Methods We here performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in 541 families with CAKUT and generated 4 lists of CAKUT candidate genes: A) 36 FOX genes showing high expression during renal development, B) 4 FOX genes known to cause CAKUT to validate list A; C) 80 genes that we identified as unique potential novel CAKUT candidate genes when performing WES in 541 CAKUT families, and D) 175 genes identified from WES as multiple potential novel CAKUT candidate genes. Results To prioritize potential novel CAKUT candidates in FOX gene family, we overlapped 36 FOX genes (list A) with list C and D of WES-derived CAKUT candidates. Intersection with list C, identified a de novo FOXL2 in-frame deletion in a patient with eyelid abnormalities and ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and a homozygous FOXA2 missense variant in a patient with horseshoe kidney. Intersection with list D, identified a heterozygous FOXA3 missense variant in a CAKUT family with multiple affected individuals. Conclusion We hereby identified FOXL2, FOXA2 and FOXA3 as novel monogenic candidate genes of CAKUT, supporting the utility of a paralog-based approach to discover mutated genes associated with human disease.

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