Recent Advances in Basic Research for CSF1R-Microglial Encephalopathy

Colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor-microglial encephalopathy is a rare rapidly progressive dementia resulting from colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) mutations, also named pigmentary orthochromatic leukodystrophy (POLD), hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS), adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids, and pigmented glia (ALSP) and CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy. CSF1R is primarily expressed in microglia and mutations normally directly lead to changes in microglial number and function. Many animal models have been constructed to explore pathogenic mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies, including zebrafish, mice, and rat models which are with CSF1R monogenic mutation, biallelic or tri-allelic deletion, or CSF1R-null. Although there is no cure for patients with CSF1R-microglial encephalopathy, microglial replacement therapy has become a topical research area. This review summarizes CSF1R-related pathogenetic mutation sites and mechanisms, especially the feasibility of the microglia-original immunotherapy.

Mutations introduced in susceptibility genes through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing confer increased late blight resistance in potatoes

The use of pathogen-resistant cultivars is expected to increase yield and decrease fungicide use in agriculture. However, in potato breeding, increased resistance obtained via resistance genes (R-genes) is hampered because R-gene(s) are often specific for a pathogen race and can be quickly overcome by the evolution of the pathogen. In parallel, susceptibility genes (S-genes) are important for pathogenesis, and loss of S-gene function confers increased resistance in several plants, such as rice, wheat, citrus and tomatoes. In this article, we present the mutation and screening of seven putative S-genes in potatoes, including two DMR6 potato homologues. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, which conferred co-expression of two guide RNAs, tetra-allelic deletion mutants were generated and resistance against late blight was assayed in the plants. Functional knockouts of StDND1, StCHL1, and DMG400000582 (StDMR6-1) generated potatoes with increased resistance against late blight. Plants mutated in StDND1 showed pleiotropic effects, whereas StDMR6-1 and StCHL1 mutated plants did not exhibit any growth phenotype, making them good candidates for further agricultural studies. Additionally, we showed that DMG401026923 (here denoted StDMR6-2) knockout mutants did not demonstrate any increased late blight resistance, but exhibited a growth phenotype, indicating that StDMR6-1 and StDMR6-2 have different functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the mutation and screening of putative S-genes in potatoes, including two DMR6 potato homologues.

Novel Genetic and Biochemical Findings of DLK1 in Children with Central Precocious Puberty: A Brazilian–Spanish Study

Background Central precocious puberty (CPP) has been associated with loss-of-function mutations in 2 paternally expressed genes (MKRN3 and DLK1). Rare defects in the DLk1 were also associated with poor metabolic phenotype at adulthood. Objective Our aim was to investigate genetic and biochemical aspects of DLK1 in a Spanish cohort of children with CPP without MKRN3 mutations. Patients A large cohort of children with idiopathic CPP (Spanish PUBERE Registry) was studied. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was obtained from 444 individuals (168 index cases) with CPP and their close relatives. Automatic sequencing of MKRN3 and DLK1 genes were performed. Results Five rare heterozygous mutations of MKRN3 were initially excluded in girls with familial CPP. A rare allelic deletion (c.401_404 + 8del) in the splice site junction of DLK1 was identified in a Spanish girl with sporadic CPP. Pubertal signs started at 5.7 years. Her metabolic profile was normal. Familial segregation analysis showed that the DLK1 deletion was de novo in the affected child. Serum DLK1 levels were undetectable (<0.4 ng/mL), indicating that the deletion led to complete lack of DLK1 production. Three others rare allelic variants of DLK1 were also identified (p.Asn134=; g.-222 C>A and g.-223 G>A) in 2 girls with CPP. However, both had normal DLK1 serum levels. Conclusion Loss-of-function mutations of DLK1 represent a rare cause of CPP, reinforcing a significant role of this factor in human pubertal timing.

Trans- and cis-acting effects of the lncRNA Firre on epigenetic and structural features of the inactive X chromosome

Firre encodes a lncRNA involved in nuclear organization in mammals. Here we find that Firre RNA is transcribed from the active X chromosome (Xa) and exerts trans-acting effects on the inactive X chromosome (Xi). Allelic deletion of Firre on the Xa in a mouse hybrid fibroblast cell line results in a dramatic loss of the histone modification H3K27me3 and of components of the PRC2 complex on the Xi as well as the disruption of the perinucleolar location of the Xi. These features are measurably rescued by ectopic expression of a mouse or human Firre/FIRRE cDNA transgene, strongly supporting a conserved trans-acting role of the Firre transcript in maintaining the Xi heterochromatin environment. Surprisingly, CTCF occupancy is decreased on the Xi upon loss of Firre RNA, but is partially recovered by ectopic transgene expression, suggesting a functional link between Firre RNA and CTCF in maintenance of epigenetic features and/or location of the Xi. Loss of Firre RNA results in dysregulation of genes implicated in cell division and development, but not in reactivation of genes on the Xi, which retains its bipartite structure despite some changes in chromatin contact distribution. Allelic deletion or inversion of Firre on the Xi causes localized redistribution of chromatin contacts, apparently dependent on the orientation of CTCF binding sites clustered at the locus. Thus, the Firre locus and its RNA have roles in the maintenance of epigenetic features and structure of the Xi.

Nm23-H1 inhibits hypoxia induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness in non-small cell lung cancer cells

The Nm23 gene has been acknowledged to play a crucial role in lung cancer metastasis inhibitory cascades controlled by multiple factors. Low expression or allelic deletion of nm23-H1 is strongly linked to widespread metastasis and poor differentiation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, nm23-H1 was down regulated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness enhancement under cobalt chloride (CoCl2)-induced hypoxia in NSCLC cells. Moreover, knocking down of nm23-H1 by shRNA apparently promoted hypoxia induced EMT and stemness, which was entirely suppressed via over expression of nm23-H1. Mechanistically, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was found to participate in the nm23-H1-mediated process. Besides, XAV939 prohibited cell EMT and stemness which could be impaired by knocking down of nm23-H1, while stable transfection of nm23-H1 attenuated hypoxia phonotype induced by lithium chloride (LiCl). Generally, our experiment provided evidence that nm23-H1 can reverse hypoxia induced EMT and stemness through the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which may furnish a deeper perspective into the better treatment or prognosis for NSCLC.

Genomic profiling of squamous malignancies across anatomic sites.

11512 Background: Primary squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) have diverse etiologies, but can share genomic features. We reviewed the genomic profiles of a series of SCC cases of differing anatomic origin. Methods: Hybrid-capture based genomic profiling of 182 or 236 or 315 genes was performed on 4783 squamous malignancies in the course of clinical care, with baits for HPV6, 11, 16, and 18, and assessment of tumor mutation burden (TMB; mutations/Mb) and microsatellite instability. Results: Sites of origin were head and neck (HNSCC, n = 1300), cervical (cSCC; n = 318), anal (aSCC, n = 248), esophageal (n = 242), lung (lSCC, n = 2386), and cutaneous (sSCC, n = 289) SCC cases. For HNSCC, cSCC, and aSCC (collectively termed HCA SCC), 395 (30%), 215 (68%), and 211 (83%) were HPV positive, respectively. For HCA SCC, the most common GA were in TP53 (45%), CDKN2A (29%), PIK3CA (24%), TERT (21%), and FAT1 (14%). The most frequent GA differentially associated with HPV status were in PIK3CA (34.9% versus 16.0%), CYLD (11.4% versus 1.4%) and PTEN (14.8% versus 6.1%) for HPV+ cases, and TP53 (3.8% versus 76.5%), CDKN2A ()1.4% versus 49.8%), and TERT (4.3% versus 33.0%) for HPV- cases. Mean TMB for HPV+ and HPV- cases were 6.6 (STDEV 7.3) and 13.7 (STDEV 29.7), respectively. TMB of all SCC cases was significantly different (p < 10-12) when stratified by HPV status. For lSCC and eSCC, the most common GA were found in TP53 (86%) CDKN2A (40%), and PIK3CA (26%) and mean TMB was 11.6 with HPV found in 3.1% of cases. In sSCC, the most common GA were in TP53 (85.5%), CDKN2A (54.3%), and TERT(44.0%), and mean TMB was 59.5 with HPV in 3.1% of cases. Subsets of SCC cases had defining and targetable GA including bi-allelic deletion of SMARCB1 ( < 0.3%), amplification of PD-L1 (~2% ), and various kinase fusions. Cases demonstrating radiologic response to immunotherapy and matched targeted therapies, as well as subsequent development of multiple mechanisms of acquired resistance, will be presented. Conclusions: HPV driven SCC have similar genomic profiles regardless of of site origin, and have a significantly lower median TMB than HPV negative SCC. Early consistency of responses of SCC to matched therapies may strengthen the case for site independent genomic predictors of therapy response.