Photoreceptor changes in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy with m.G11778A mutation

·AIM:To evaluate the functional and structural changes of photoreceptors in patients and asymptomatic carriers with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON)using fullfield electroretinography(FERG)and optical coherence tomography(OCT).·METHODS:Individuals diagnosed with LHON at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University and their family members were included in this cross-sectional observational study.The FERG a-wave amplitude of affected patients and asymptomatic carriers was analyzed.The thickness of the outer nuclear layer(ONL),inner and outer segment(IS/OS)and total photoreceptors in the macular fovea and parafovea were measured.·RESULTS:This study included 14 LHON patients(mean age:20.00±9.37y),12 asymptomatic carriers(mean age:39.83±6.48y),and 14 normal subjects(mean age:24.20±1.52y).The FERG results showed that the darkadapted 3.0 electroretinography and light-adapted 3.0 electroretinography a-wave amplitudes of patients and carriers were significantly decreased(P<0.001).The ONL and photoreceptors layers were slightly thicker in patients than in normal subjects(P<0.05),whereas they were thinner in carriers(P<0.05).There were no differences in IS/OS thickness among the groups(P>0.05).·CONCLUSION:Photoreceptors function is significantly impaired in LHON-affected patients and asymptomatic carriers.Meanwhile,photoreceptors morphology is slightly altered,mainly manifesting as a change in ONL thickness.

Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study (SCOTS)： bone marrow-derived stem cells in the treatment of Leber＇s hereditary optic neuropathy

The Stem Cell Ophthalmology Treatment Study （SCOTS） is currently the largest-scale stem cell ophthal- mology trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov （identifier： NCT01920867）. SCOTS utilizes autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells （BMSCs） to treat optic nerve and retinal diseases. Treatment approaches include a combination of retrobulbar, subtenon, intravitreal, intra-optic nerve, subretinal, and intravenous injection of autologous BMSCs according to the nature of the disease, the degree of visual loss, and any risk factors related to the treatments. Patients with Leber＇s hereditary optic neuropathy had visual acuity gains on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study （ETDRS） of up to 35 letters and Snellen acuity improvements from hand motion to 20/200 and from counting fingers to 20/100. Visual field improvements were noted. Macular and optic nerve head nerve fiber layer typically thickened. No serious complications were seen. The increases in visual acuity obtained in our study were encouraging and suggest that the use of autolo- gous BMSCs as provided in SCOTS for ophthalmologic mitochondrial diseases including Leber＇s hereditary optic neuropathy may be a viable treatment option.

Mitochondrial variants may influence the phenotypic manifestation of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy-associated ND4 G11778A mutation

We report here the characterization of a five-generation Han Chinese family with Leber＇s hereditary optic neuropathy （LHON）. Strik- ingly, this Chinese family displayed high penetrance and expressivity of visual loss. The average age-of-onset of vision loss was 18 years in this family. Nineteen （11 males/8 females） of 29 matrilineal relatives in this family developed visual loss with a wide range of severity, ranging from blindness to normal vision. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial genome in this pedigree revealed the presence of the ND4 G 11778A mutation and 44 other variants belonging to Asian haplogroup M7b. The G 11778A mutation is present at homoplasmy in matri- lineal relatives of this Chinese family. Of other variants, the C01 G6480A, ND5 T12811C and Cytb A15395G located at highly conserved residues of corresponding polypeptides. In fact, these variants were implicated to be involved in other clinical abnormalities. Here, these variants may act in synergy with the primary LHON-associated Gl1778A mutation. Thus, the mitochondrial dysfunction caused by the primary ND4 G11778A mutation may be worsened by these mitochondrial variants. The results imply that the G6480A, T12811C and A15395G variants might have a potential modifier role in increasing the penetrance and expressivity of the primary LHON-associated G11778A mutation in this Chinese family.

Complete mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis in two southern Chinese pedigrees with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy revealed secondary mutations along with the primary mutation

AIM: To investigate mitochondrial factors associated with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) through complete sequencing and analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Chinese patients with this disease. METHODS: Two unrelated southern Chinese families with LHON and 10 matched healthy controls were recruited, and their entire mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was amplified and sequenced with the universal M13 primer. Then DNA sequence analysis and variation identification were performed by DNAssist and Chromas 2 software and compared with authoritative databases such as Mitomap. RESULTS: Mutational analysis of mtDNA in these two Chinese pedigrees revealed one common LHON-associated mutation, G11778A (Arg -> His), in the MT-ND4 gene. In addition, there were two secondary mutations in Pedigree 1: C34971 (Ala -> Val), and C3571T (Leu -> Phe) in the MT-ND1 gene, which have not been reported; and two secondary mutations occurred in Pedigree 2: A10398G (Thr -> Ala) in the MT-ND3 gene, and T14502C (Ile -> Val) in the MT-ND6 gene. Three polymorphisms, A73G, G94A and A263G in the mtDNA control region, were also found. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed that the known MT-ND4* G11778A mutation is the most significant cause of LHON. The C3497T and C3571T mutations in Pedigree 1 were also both at hot-spots of MT-ND1; they may affect the respiratory chain in coordination with the primary mutation G11778A. In Pedigree 2, the two secondary mutations A10398G of MT-ND3 and T14502C of MT-ND6 may influence mitochondrial respiratory complex I, leading to the mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction which results in optic atrophy together with G11778A. Therefore, not only the common primary LHON mutation is responsible for the visual atrophy, but other secondary mtDNA mutations should also be considered when giving genetic counseling.

A Meta-analysis of the association between different genotypes(G11778A, T14484C and G3460A ) of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy and visual prognosis

AIM：To analyze the influences of different genotypes（G11778A,T14484 C and G3460A） of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy（LHON） on visual prognosis. METHODS： After a systematic literature search,all relevant studies evaluating the association between the three primary mutations of LHON and visual prognosis were included.All statistical tests were calculated with Revman 5.2 and STATA 12.0. RESULTS： Ten independent studies were included finally.A significant association between the three primary mutations and prognostic vision over 0.3 were found in G11778 A versus T14484 C [odds ratio（OR） =0.10,95% confidence interval（CI） =0.05-0.17,P 〈0.001],G11778 A versus G3460A（OR=0.18,95%CI=0.09-0.37,P 〈0.001） and T14484 C versus G3460A（OR =2.45,95% CI =1.10-5.48,P 〈0.05）.In addition,obtained by pairwise comparison,the vision during onset,age of onset and sex ratio of these three kinds of patients,have no statistical significance（P 〉0.05）.CONCLUSION： From pairwise comparison,we conclude that these three different genotypes of LHON are related to patients＇ visual prognosis.The T14484 C patients might have a best prognostic vision,G3460 A second,and G11778 A worst.And there is little relation between the three different genotypes and patients＇ vision,age of onset and sex ratio.

The Mitochondrial DNA Mutation at Position 11778 in Chinese Families with Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

We amplified the 340 bp of mitochondrial DMA (mtDNA) by PCR including the recognized sequence of restriction enzyme of SfaN I . After amplification and digestion of SfaN I , two bands of 190 bp and 150 bp appeared in the mtDNA of four normal individuals but only one band of 340 bp appeared in the mtDNA with the mutation of G to A at the site of the nucleotide 11778 because such mutation destroyed the recognized sequence of SfaN I . We studied the mtDNAs of the patients with Leber's hereditary optic neur...

Foveal pit morphological changes in asymptomatic carriers of the G11778A mutation with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy

AIM:To investigate the foveal pit morphology changes in unaffected carriers and affected Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON)patients with the G11778 A mutation from one family.METHODS:This study was a prospective cross-sectional study.Both eyes from 16 family members(age from 9 to 47 y)with the G11778 A mutation were analyzed and compared with 1 eye from 20 normal control subjects.Eleven family members with the G11778 A mutation but without optic neuropathy were classified as unaffected carriers(n=22 eyes).Five family members(n=10 eyes)expressed the LHON phenotype and were classified as affected patients.Retinal images of all the subjects were taken by optical coherence tomography(OCT),and an automatic algorithm was used to segment the retina to eight layers.Horizontal and vertical OCT images centered on the fovea were used to measure intra-retinal layer thicknesses and foveal morphometry.RESULTS:Thicker foveal thickness,thinner foveal pit depth,and flatter foveal slopes were observed in unaffected carriers and affected LHON patients(all P<0.001).Further,the slopes of all four sectors in the LHON were flatter than those in the unaffected carriers(all P<0.001).Compared with the control group,affected LHON patients had a thinner retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL),ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer(GCL+IPL),and total retina(all P<0.01).The retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)of affected patients was 38.0%thinner than that of controls while the GCL+IPL was 40.1%thinner.CONCLUSION:The foveal pit morphology shows changes in both unaffected carriers and affects patients.RNFL and GCL+IPL are thinner in affected LHON patients but not in unaffected carriers.

Analysis of Mitochondrial Gene Mutations in Chinese Pedigrees of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

Purpose:To investigate the frequency of common pathogenic primary mitochondrial DNA mutations in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON)families.Methods:Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP)and DNA sequencing were used to detect mitochondrial DNA mutations.Sixty-six Chinese examiners from 15 families,including 22 visual affected and their 44 unaffected maternal relatives,underwent molecular genetic evaluation.Eleven normal individuals underwent evaluation as control.Results:Of the 15 families with suspicion of LHON,13 had nucleotide position(nt)G11778A mutations,2 had nt T14484C mutations.All examiners had nt G11719A mutation.Conclusions:The mutations at nucleotides 11778 and 14484 are primary LHON mutations.Molecular genetic findings suggest that the silent mutation at nt G11719A may be a common genetic polymorphism in Chinese.

Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy in a Boy with Fibrous Boney Dysplasia

Purpose:To report a case of Leber hereditary optic neuropathy combined with fibrous boney dysplasia. Methods: Case report. Results:A 16-year-old boy presented with painless vision loss in both eyes. He had a history of a right humerus fracture and right femoral fracture surgery after an uncomplicated fall.On examination in our clinic, his visual acuity was counting fingers at 20 cm OD and counting fingers at 40 cm OS.Both pupils reacted sluggishly to light.The findings on slit-lamp examination and funduscopy after pupillary dilation were all unremarkable. Computed tomography scans demonstrated fibrous dysplasia involving the right frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital bones but no stenosis of either optic canal. His serum alkaline phosphatase was 522 U/L (reference range: 40-150 U/L). His vision showed no improvement after intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy.Finally,a 11778 mitochondrial DNA mutation was detected. He still had no visual recovery after treatment with oral coenzyme Q10,vitamin B1, and citicoline. Conclusion:Fibrous dysplasia of bone may be associated with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy,possibly due to the fact that it increases local oxygen consumption. (Eye Science 2013; 28:48-50)

Rapid genetic screening of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies patients

We used the allele-specific PCR-double digestion method on peripheral myelin protein 22 （PMP22） to determine duplication and deletion mutations in the proband and family members of one family with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 and one family with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. The proband and one subclinical family member from the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 family had a PMP22 gene duplication; one patient from the hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies family had a PMP22 gene deletion. Electron microscopic analysis of ultrathin sections of the superficial peroneal nerve from the two probands demonstrated demyelination and myelin sheath hyperplasia, as well as an ＇onion-like＇ structure in the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A patient. We observed an irregular thickened myelin sheath and ＇mouse-nibbled＇-Iike changes in the patient with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies. In the Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A patient, nerve electrophysiological examination revealed moderate-to-severe reductions in the motor and sensory conduction velocities of the bilateral median nerve, ulnar nerve, tibial nerve, and sural nerve. Moreover, the compound muscle action potential amplitude was decreased. In the patient with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies, the nerve conduction velocity of the bilateral tibial nerve and sural nerve was moderately reduced, and the nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve and ulnar nerve of both upper extremities was slightly reduced.

Retinal nerve fiber and ganglion cell layer thinning in hereditary and acquired mitochondrial optic neuropathies

Dear Editor,With interest we read the article by Teng et al[1]about a study of the retinal nerve and ganglion cell layers by means of optic coherence tomography(OCT)in 32 patients with a mitochondrial optic neuropathy(MON).Included were 20 patients with hereditary MON[Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON)],12 patients with acquired MON[ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy(EION)],and 41 healthy controls.Retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness was reduced in the nasal,superior,temporal,and inferior quadrants in LHON patients but only in the temporal quadrant in the EION patients.Thickness of the retinal ganglion cell layer(RGCL)was similarly reduced in LHON and EION patients.We have the following comments and concerns.

Clinical expression and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid study in twins with 14484 Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy:A case report

BACKGROUND This study aimed to explore clinical and molecular factors that cause discordance for clinical expression of Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy(LHON)in a pair of identical twins with the 14484 point mutation.CASE SUMMARY Twin patients with the 14484 point mutation were studied for zygosity by using the Short Tandem Repeats Typing system.For the monozygotic twins,the radioactive restriction and densitometric analyses were used to quantitate the heteroplasmy level for the 14484 point mutation.The mitochondrial genome was analyzed to determine influential factors by mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA)sequencing,denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography and next generation sequencing.For the dizygotic twins,the nuclear DNA was analyzed.The twins with 14484 LHON were monozygotic with homoplasmy.No difference in the point mutation in mitochondrial DNA was found.No modifying genes that potentially influenced the disparity in phenotypic expression of LHON were detected in these twins.CONCLUSION This 11-year follow-up of monozygotic twins showed additional genetic modifications and epigenetic factors are possibly associated with discordance for LHON.

Anesthetical Management of a Patient with Hereditary Muscle Sensory Neuropathy Type 2: Case of a 17-Year Old with Sacral Dermoid and a Short Overview of the Anesthesiological Considerations

We hereby present a short overview of the anaesthesiological considerations regarding the patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease also known as hereditary muscle and sensory neuropathy, which affects peripheral nerves and muscles. Due to pathophysiology of the disease certain anaesthesiological complications associated with HMSN can be related. A case report describing protocol of the total venous anesthesia in the 17-year old patient operated on sacral dermoid with fistulae is presented. The patient recovered without any further complications. In the conclusion we would like to bring the importance of awareness to prepare the HMSN patient for a surgical procedure as well from anesthesiological as from surgical point of view to avoid possible unwanted event such as malignant hyperthermia, hyperkalemia, seizures, prolonged effect of muscle relaxants and worsening of the disease. As an important alternative to general anesthesia regional anesthesia should be considered.

Clinical Analysis of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Harboring mtDNA Mutation at nt11778

Purpose: To improve our diagnostic technique through the analysis of clinical features ofLeber's heredita'y optic neuropathy (LHON) harboring mtDNA point mutation at nt11778. Methods: Detection of nt11778 mutation was performed on 38 patients clinically diagnosed as LHON in our ophthalmic center from year 1998 to 2000. Circumstances of onset and family history were obtained and ophthalmoscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography, visual field and visual evoked potential were performed on all 38 patients. Result: 30 In 38 patients (78.95 % ) harbor nt11778 mutation, including 28 male (93.33%) and 2 female (6.67%). The ratio of affected male to female is 14: 1. Patients harboring nt11778 mutation display typical clinical nanifestations. Ccnclusion: Identification of one of the three LHON specifically associated ntDNA mutations is essential to confirm the diagnosis. Eye Science 2001: 17:31 ～ 34.

Application of optical coherence tomography in hereditary,toxic and metabolic optic neuropathies

Hereditary,metabolic and toxic optic neuropathies cause bilateral,central vision loss and therefore can result in severe impairment in visual function.Accurate,early diagnosis is critical,as nutritional and toxic optic neuropathies may be reversible if identified early,and diagnosis of hereditary optic neuropathies can prevent unnecessary invasive workup,provide prognostic information,and allow for effective genetic counseling.Optical coherence tomography(OCT)is a valuable tool that aids in the diagnosis and prognostication of optic neuropathies as it allows for quantification of changes in the retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)and retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)over time.We review the characteristic clinical presentations of hereditary,metabolic and toxic optic neuropathies,with an emphasis on OCT findings.

一个遗传性听神经病伴视神经萎缩家系研究

目的 研究探讨一个听神经病伴视神经萎缩家系遗传性致病原因。方法 详细询问先证者病史及家族史、进行临床相关检查确诊听神经病伴视神经萎缩,绘制该家系遗传系谱。抽取先证者(Ⅲ-7)外周血行全外显子组测序,对检出的突变进行致病性判读,对先证者妻子(Ⅲ-8)、大女儿(Ⅳ-7)、二女儿(Ⅳ-9)和儿子(Ⅳ-10)进行Sanger测序验证突变位点,并结合临床表现和检查结果进行研究。结果 该家系遗传方式为常染色体显性遗传,先证者(Ⅲ-7)19岁时出现视力下降,30岁时出现双侧感音神经性聋,言语识别率下降,其所在5代20人大家系中10人(2人已故)有类似听力及视力下降症状。先证者(Ⅲ-7)、大女儿(Ⅳ-7)和儿子(Ⅳ-10)听力学检查:纯音测听示双侧感音神经性聋,ABR双耳未引出,40 Hz相关电位(AERP)双耳均未引出,OAE部分或全部频率可引出,镫骨肌声反射阈值未引出;Ⅲ-7、Ⅳ-10眼底检查有不同程度视乳头萎缩,OCT示双眼视盘神经纤维层厚度变薄、视觉诱发电位示P100波峰时延长,确诊为遗传性听神经病伴视神经萎缩。Ⅲ-7行全外显子检测发现3号染色体有一个致病位点OPA1基因c.1334G>A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)突变,一代测序结果示Ⅳ-7和Ⅳ-10也有该突变,Ⅲ-8和Ⅳ-9该位点的基因型是野生纯合型,即未发生突变。结论 OPA1基因c.1334G>A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)突变位点为该家系致病突变。

1-脱氧鞘脂的特性、功能及在相关疾病中的作用

鞘脂是细胞膜脂的重要组成部分,在多种疾病中起重要作用。当鞘脂合成路径被干扰时,鞘脂代谢重编程,导致合成产物转变为1-脱氧鞘脂(DoxSL)。在梳理已有文献的基础上,介绍了DoxSL的生物合成、代谢及相关功能,特别是DoxSL在细胞毒性、神经突的影响及膜疏水性方面的作用。此外,DoxSL水平异常与多种人类疾病有关,丝氨酸含量降低会导致DoxSL病理性升高,而升高的DoxSL与糖尿病、非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)以及遗传性感觉自主神经病1型(HSAN1)相关。DoxSL可用作预测糖尿病的生物标志物,参与NAFLD的肝细胞脂肪变性。丝氨酸棕榈酰转移酶亚基的突变导致DoxSL增加是形成HSAN1的重要原因,故监测、调控DoxSL含量可能为临床相关疾病的诊断与治疗提供新思路。

线粒体疾病相关视神经病变

线粒体疾病是主要累及全身多系统且临床表现各异的线粒体能量代谢耗竭疾病,其中眼部可单独受累,尤其是视神经病变可为其唯一表现,或是各种综合征的受累器官之一。临床最常见的线粒体相关视神经病变为Leber遗传性视神经病变和常染色体显性遗传性视神经萎缩。随着基因检测技术的发展,越来越多的线粒体基因突变类型及包括视神经萎缩的各种表型已被认识,例如MELAS脑病、Leigh综合征、Wolfram综合征、Charcot-Marie-Tooth病等。本文主要聚焦包括Leber遗传性视神经病变在内的各种线粒体疾病及其综合征的眼部表现,尤其是视神经病变,通过典型的临床特征及针对性的基因检测手段拓展神经眼科医师对视神经萎缩性疾病的认识,有利于对该类疾病的精准诊疗。

神经营养因子赖氨酸激酶受体1型基因突变致先天性无痛无汗症1例并文献复习

目的 报告先天性无痛无汗症(CIPA)1例并文献复习,增加其病因及临床特点的了解,减少误诊误治。方法 采集2021年12月安徽省儿童医院收治的病儿及其父母外周血进行医学全外显子组基因检测,并对候选基因变异进行Sanger测序验证。结果 基因分子遗传学分析结果提示病儿在神经营养因子赖氨酸激酶受体1型(NTRK1)中存在2个分别来自父母双方的杂合突变(c.575-19G>A和c.444C>A),结合病儿临床表现符合CIPA。结论 CIPA为单基因遗传病,临床罕见,基因分子遗传学分析有助于诊断。

Structural impairment patterns in peripapillary retinal fiber layer and retinal ganglion cell layer in mitochondrial optic neuropathies

AIM：To evaluate the structural injure patterns in peripapillary retinal fiber layer （pRNFL）, retinal ganglion cell layer （RGCL） and their correlations to visual function in various mitochondrial optic neuropathies （MON） to offer help to their differential diagnosis.METHODS：Totally 32 MON patients （60 eyes） were recruited within 6mo after clinical onsets, including 20 Leber hereditary optic neuropathy （LHON） patients （37eyes）, 12 ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy （EON）patients （23 eyes）, and 41 age-gender matched healthy controls （HC, 82 eyes）. All subjects had pRNFL and RGCL examinations with optic coherence tomography （OCT） and visual function tests.RESULTS：In the early stages of MON, the temporal pRNFL thickness decreased （66.09±22.57μm）, but increased in other quadrants, compared to HC （76.95±14.81μm）. The other quadrants remaining stable for LHON and EON patients besides the second hour sector of pRNFL thickness reduced and the temporal pRNFL decreased （56.78±15.87μm） for EON. Total macular thickness in MON reduced remarkably（279.25±18.90μm; P=0.015）, which mainly occurring in the inner circle （3 mm diameter of circle） and the nasal temporal sectors in the outer circle （5.5 mm diameter of circle）, in contrast to those in HC. RGCL thickness reduced in each sector of the macula （61.90±8.73μm; P≤0.001）. It strongly showed the correlationship of best corrected visual acuity （R=0.50, P=0.0003） and visual field injury （R=0.54,P=0.0002） in MON patients.CONCLUSION：OCT is a potential tool for detecting structural alterations in the optic nerves of various MON. Different types of MON may have different damage patterns.