Greig Cephalopolysyndactyly Contiguous Gene Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review

Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS) is a rare genetic disorder (about 200 cases reported), characterized by macrocephaly, hypertelorism, and polysyndactyly. Most of the reported GCPS cases are the results of heterozygous loss of function mutations affecting the GLI3 gene (OMIM# 175700), while a small proportion of cases arise from large deletions on chromosome 7p14 encompassing the GLI3 gene. To our knowledge, only 6 patients have been reported to have a deletion with an exact size (given by genomic coordinates) and a gene content larger than 1 Mb involving the GLI3 gene. This report presents a patient with Greig cephalopolysyndactyly contiguous gene syndrome (GCP-CGS) diagnosed with a large, 18 Mb deletion on chromosome 7p14.2-p11.2. Similar cases are reviewed in the literature for a more accurate comparison between genotype and phenotype.

Differential diagnosis of syndromic craniosynostosis: a case series

Purpose Syndromic craniosynostosis is a rare genetic disease caused by premature fusion of one or multiple cranial sutures combined with malformations of other organs. The aim of this publication is to investigate sonographic signs of different syndromic craniosynostoses and associated malformations to facilitate a precise and early diagnosis. Methods We identified in the period of 2000–2019 thirteen cases with a prenatal suspected diagnosis of syndromic craniosynostosis at our department. We analyzed the ultrasound findings, MRI scans, genetic results as well as the mode of delivery, and postnatal procedures. Results Eight children were diagnosed with Apert Syndrome, two with Saethre Chotzen syndrome, one with Crouzon syndrome, and one with Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome. One child had a mutation p.(Pro253Leu) in the FGFR2 gene. We identified characteristic changes of the head shape as well as typical associated malformations. Conclusion Second trimester diagnosis of syndromic craniosynostosis is feasible based on the identified sonographic signs. In case of a suspected diagnosis a genetic, neonatal as well as surgical counseling is recommended. We also recommend to offer a fetal MRI. The delivery should be planned in a perinatal center.

The association of Greig syndrome and mastocytosis reveals the involvement of hedgehog pathway in advanced mastocytosis

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by an abnormal accumulation of mast cells (MCs) in one or several organs. Although a somatic KIT D816V mutation is detected in ~85% of patients, attempts to demonstrate its oncogenic effect alone have repeatedly failed, suggesting that additional pathways are involved in MC transformation. From three children presenting with both Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS, MIM#175700) and congenital mastocytosis, we demonstrated the involvement of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway in mastocytosis. GCPS is an extremely rare syndrome resulting from haploinsufficiency of GLI3, the major repressor of Hh family members. From these familial cases of mastocytosis, we demonstrate that the Hh pathway is barely active in normal primary MCs and overactive in neoplastic MCs. We show that GLI3 and KIT mutations have a synergistic, tumorigenic effect on the onset of mastocytosis in a GCPS mouse model. Finally, we show that Hh inhibitors suppress neoplastic MC proliferation in vitro and extend the survival time of aggressive systemic mastocytosis (ASM) mice. This work revealed, for the first time, the involvement of Hh signaling in the pathophysiology of mastocytosis and demonstrated the cooperative effects of the KIT and Hh oncogenic pathways in ASM, leading to the identification of new promising therapeutic targets.

Greig Cephalopolysyndactyly Syndrome: Phenotypic Variability Associated with Variants in Two Different Domains of GLI3

Background GLI3 is a transcriptional regulator of several genes involved in mammalian skeletal development. Mutations in the pleiotropic gene GLI3 may result in different inherited disorders including Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS). GCPS is characterized by mild to severe craniofacial and limb malformations. Methods and Results Here, we report clinical and molecular study of 3 families with GCPS originated in different regions of Pakistan. Sanger sequencing revealed two novel variants including a frameshift [c. 3790_3791InsC, p.(Gly1236Argfs*11)] and a missense [c.1692A>G, p.(His536Arg)], and one previously reported variant [c.1965_1966delAT, p.(His627Glufs*48)] located in 2 different domains of the GLI3. Conclusion This study not only expanded spectrum of the mutations in the GLI3 but also highlighted phenotypic variability in the GCPS patients. This will facilitate diagnosis and genetic counseling of families with same and related disorders in the Pakistani population.