Identification of two novel pathogenic variants ofPIBF1by whole exome sequencing in a 2-year-old boy with Joubert syndrome
BMC MEDICAL GENETICS
Authors: Shen, Yue; Wang, Hao; Liu, Zhimin; Luo, Minna; Ma, Siyu; Lu, Chao; Cao, Zongfu; Yu, Yufei; Cai, Ruikun; Chen, Cuixia; Li, Qian; Gao, Huafang; Peng, Yun; Xu, Baoping; Ma, Xu
Abstract
Background Joubert syndrome (OMIM 213300) is an autosomal recessive disorder with gene heterogeneity. Causal genes and their variants have been identified by sequencing or other technologies for Joubert syndrome subtypes. Case presentation A two-year-old boy was diagnosed with Joubert syndrome by global development delay and molar tooth sign of mid-brain. Whole exome sequencing was performed to detect the causative gene variants in this individual, and the candidate pathogenic variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. We identified two pathogenic variants (NM_006346.2: c.1147delC and c.1054A > G) ofPIBF1in this Joubert syndrome individual, which is consistent with the mode of autosomal recessive inheritance. Conclusion In this study, we identified two novel pathogenic variants inPIBF1in a Joubert syndrome individual using whole exome sequencing, thereby expanding thePIBF1pathogenic variant spectrum of Joubert syndrome.
Sex steroids and autoimmune rheumatic diseases: state of the art
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
Authors: Cutolo, Maurizio; Straub, Rainer H.
Abstract
The effects of sex steroids (oestrogens, androgens and progesterone) on immune responses contribute to the sex bias in autoimmune rheumatic diseases in complex ways. Targeting these effects could hold potential for treating patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In autoimmune rheumatic diseases, oestrogens can stimulate certain immune responses (including effects on B cells and innate immunity), but can also have dose-related anti-inflammatory effects on T cells, macrophages and other immune cells. By contrast, androgens and progesterone have predominantly immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. Hormone replacement therapies and oral contraception (and also pregnancy) enhance or decrease the severity of autoimmune rheumatic diseases at a genetic or epigenetic level. Serum androgen concentrations are often low in men and in women with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, suggesting that androgen-like compounds might be a promising therapeutic approach. However, androgen-to-oestrogen conversion (known as intracrinology) is enhanced in inflamed tissues, such as those present in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. In addition, it is becoming evident that the gut microbiota differs between the sexes (known as the microgenderome) and leads to sex-dependent genetic and epigenetic changes in gastrointestinal inflammation, systemic immunity and, potentially, susceptibility to autoimmune or inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Future clinical research needs to focus on the therapeutic use of androgens and progestins or their downstream signalling cascades and on new oestrogenic compounds such as tissue-selective oestrogen complex to modulate altered immune responses.