Gut-derived metabolites and their role in immune dysfunction in chronic kidney disease

Several of the uremic toxins, which are difficult to remove by dialysis, originate from the gut bacterial metabolism. This opens opportunities for novel targets trying to decrease circulating levels of these toxins and their pathophysiological effects. The current review focuses on immunomodulatory effects of these toxins both at their side of origin and in the circulation. In the gut end products of the bacterial metabolism such as p-cresol, trimethylamine and H2S affect the intestinal barrier structure and function while in the circulation the related uremic toxins stimulate cells of the immune system. Both conditions contribute to the pro-inflammatory status of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Generation and/or absorption of these toxin precursors could be targeted to decrease plasma levels of their respective uremic toxins and to reduce micro-inflammation in CKD

NOTCH1-related leukoencephalopathy: a novel variant and literature review

Background: NOTCH1-related leukoencephalopathy is a new diagnostic entity linked to heterozygous gain-of-function variants in NOTCH1 that neuroradiologically shows some overlap with the inflammatory microangiopathy Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS). Aim: To report a 16-year-old boy harbouring a novel NOTCH1 mutation who presented neuroradiological features suggestive of enhanced type I interferon signalling. We describe 5-years of follow-up and review the current literature on NOTCH1-related leukoencephalopathy. Methods: Clinical evaluation, standardized scales (SPRS, SARA, CBCL, CDI-2:P, WISCH-IV and VABS-2) and neuroradiological studies were performed, as well as blood DNA analysis. For the literature review, a search was performed on Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, up to December 2023 using the following text word search strategy: (NOTCH1) AND (leukoencephalopathy). Results: Our patient presents clinical features consistent with other reported cases with NOTCH1 mutations but is among the minority of patients with an onset after infancy. During the 5-year follow-up, we observed an increase in the severity of spasticity and ataxia. However, at the age of 16 years, our proband is still ambulatory. As for other reported patients, he manifests psychiatric features, ranging from hyperactivity during childhood, to anxiety and depression during adolescence. The neuroradiological picture remained essentially stable over 5 years. In addition to the typical findings of leukoencephalopathy with cysts and calcifications already described, we report the presence of T2-hyperintensity and T1-hypotensity of the transverse pontine fibres, enhancement in the periventricular white matter after gadolinium administration, and decreased NAA and Cho peaks in the periventricular white matter on MRS. We identified a novel heterozygous variant in NOTCH1 (c.4788_4799dup), a frame insertion located in extracellular negative regulatory region (NRR)-domain as in previously published cases. Blood interferon signalling was not elevated compared to controls. Conclusions: This case provides further data on a new diagnostic entity i.e. NOTCH1-related leukoencephalopathy. By describing a standardized 5-year follow-up in one case, and reviewing the other patients described to date, we outline recommendations relating to monitoring in this illness, emphasizing the importance of psychiatric and gastroenterological surveillance alongside neurological and neuropsychological management. Studies are needed to better understand the factors influencing disease onset and severity, which are heterogeneous

Primary Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency-Related Ataxias

Cerebellar ataxia is a neurological syndrome characterized by the imbalance (e.g., truncal ataxia, gait ataxia) and incoordination of limbs while executing a task (dysmetria), caused by the dysfunction of the cerebellum or its connections. It is frequently associated with other signs of cerebellar dysfunction, including abnormal eye movements, dysmetria, kinetic tremor, dysarthria, and/or dysphagia. Among the so-termed mitochondrial ataxias, variants in genes encoding steps of the coenzyme Q10 biosynthetic pathway represent a common cause of autosomal recessive primary coenzyme Q10 deficiencies (PCoQD)s. PCoQD is a potentially treatable condition; therefore, a correct and timely diagnosis is essential. After a brief presentation of the illustrative case of an Italian woman with this condition (due to a novel homozygous nonsense mutation in COQ8A), this article will review ataxias due to PCoQD

Cerebellar Atrophy in Congenital Fibrosis of the Extraocular Muscles Type 1

We described a family with a molecularly confirmed form of CFEOM1 and a late-onset cerebellar syndrome. Brain MRI showed vermis atrophy in two older family members, who also manifested gait impairment, whereas both neurological examination and neuroimaging findings were normal in a younger relative who harbored the same mutation

Converging Role for REEP1/SPG31 in Oxidative Stress

Mutations in the receptor expression-enhancing protein 1 gene (REEP1) are associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 31 (SPG31), a neurological disorder characterized by lengthdependent degeneration of upper motor neuron axons. Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been observed in patients harboring pathogenic variants in REEP1, suggesting a key role of bioenergetics in disease-related manifestations. Nevertheless, the regulation of mitochondrial function in SPG31 remains unclear. To elucidate the pathophysiology underlying REEP1 deficiency, we analyzed in vitro the impact of two different mutations on mitochondrial metabolism. Together with mitochondrial morphology abnormalities, loss-of-REEP1 expression highlighted a reduced ATP production with increased susceptibility to oxidative stress. Furthermore, to translate these findings from in vitro to preclinical models, we knocked down REEP1 in zebrafish. Zebrafish larvae showed a significant defect in motor axon outgrowth leading to motor impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reactive oxygen species accumulation. Protective antioxidant agents such as resveratrol rescued free radical overproduction and ameliorated the SPG31 phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Together, our findings offer new opportunities to counteract neurodegeneration in SPG31

Expanding the clinical and genetic heterogeneity of SPAX5

Mutations in the ATPase family 3-like gene (AFG3L2) have been linked to autosomal-dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 28 and autosomal recessive spastic ataxia-neuropathy syndrome. Here, we describe the case of a child carrying bi-allelic mutations in AFG3L2 and presenting with ictal paroxysmal episodes associated with neuroimaging suggestive of basal ganglia involvement. Studies in skin fibroblasts showed a significant reduction of AFG3L2 expression. The relatively mild clinical presentation and the benign course, in spite of severe neuroimaging features, distinguish this case from data reported in the literature, and therefore expand the spectrum of neurological and neuroradiological features associated with AFG3L2 mutations

New cellular imaging-based method to distinguish the SPG4 subtype of hereditary spastic paraplegia

Background and purpose: Microtubule defects are a common feature in several neurodegenerative disorders, including hereditary spastic paraplegia. The most frequent form of hereditary spastic paraplegia is caused by mutations in the SPG4/SPAST gene, encoding the microtubule severing enzyme spastin. To date, there is no effective therapy available but spastin-enhancing therapeutic approaches are emerging; thus prognostic and predictive biomarkers are urgently required. Methods: An automated, simple, fast and non-invasive cell imaging-based method was developed to quantify microtubule cytoskeleton organization changes in lymphoblastoid cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: It was observed that lymphoblastoid cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals affected by SPG4-hereditary spastic paraplegia show a polarized microtubule cytoskeleton organization. In a pilot study on freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, our method discriminates SPG4-hereditary spastic paraplegia from healthy donors and other hereditary spastic paraplegia subtypes. In addition, it is shown that our method can detect the effects of spastin protein level changes. Conclusions: These findings open the possibility of a rapid, non-invasive, inexpensive test useful to recognize SPG4-hereditary spastic paraplegia subtype and evaluate the effects of spastin-enhancing drug in non-neuronal cells

Novel SPAST deletion and reduced <i>DPY30</i> expression in a spastic paraplegia type 4 kindred

Background: The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are pleiomorphic disorders of motor pathway and a large number of affected genes have been discovered. Yet, mutations in SPG4/SPAST represent the most frequent molecular etiology in autosomal dominant (AD) patients and sporadic cases. We describe a large, AD-HSP Sardinian family where 5 out of several living members harbored a novel deletion affecting also the 5′UTR of SPAST and resulting in reduced expression of DPY30, the gene located upstream SPAST in a head-to-head manner. Case presentation: A 54-year-old woman manifested leg stiffness at age 39 and required a cane to walk at age 50. Neurological examination disclosed mild spasticity and weakness in the legs, hyperreflexia in all limbs, and bilateral Babinski sign. She also complained of urinary urgency, but no additional neurological symptoms or signs were detected at examination. The clinical examination of 24 additional relatives disclosed three further affected individuals, two men and one woman. In the four symptomatic patients the initial manifestations were walking abnormalities and leg stiffness with a mean age at onset (SD) of 46.75 (5.44) years (range 39–51). The mean disease duration was 13.2 (13.4) years (range 6–35), and it correlated well with clinical severity (SPRS score) (r = 0.975, p = 0.005). One patient was confined to bed and displayed knee and ankle contractures, another case needed a cane to walk, and two individuals were able to walk without aids. Interestingly, a patient had also had a miscarriage during her first pregnancy. Gene testing revealed an heterozygous deletion spanning from the 5′-UTR to intron 4 of SPAST in the affected individuals and in one clinically unaffected woman. In three affected patients, the deletion also determined low mRNA levels of SPAST and DPY30, a component of the Set1-like multiprotein histone methyltransferase complex located upstream, head-to-head with SPAST. Conclusion: Together with data described in a Japanese family, our findings seem to suggest that genes close to spastin might be candidates in modulating the clinical phenotype. This report endorses future research on the role of neighboring genes as potential players in SPG4 disease variability.</br

Application of a Clinical Workflow May Lead to Increased Diagnostic Precision in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias and Cerebellar Ataxias: A Single Center Experience

The molecular characterization of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias (HSP) and inherited cerebellar ataxias (CA) is challenged by their clinical and molecular heterogeneity. The recent application of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies is increasing the diagnostic rate, which can be influenced by patients\u2019 selection. To assess if a clinical diagnosis of CA/HSP received in a third-level reference center might impact the molecular diagnostic yield, we retrospectively evaluated the molecular diagnostic rate reached in our center on 192 unrelated families (90 HSP and 102 CA) (i) before NGS and (ii) with the use of NGS gene panels. Overall, 46.3% of families received a genetic diagnosis by first-tier individual gene screening: 43.3% HSP and 50% spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). The diagnostic rate was 56.7% in AD-HSP, 55.5% in AR-HSP, and 21.2% in sporadic HSP. On the other hand, 75% AD-, 52% AR- and 33% sporadic CA were diagnosed. So far, 32 patients (24 CA and 8 HSP) were further assessed by NGS gene panels, and 34.4% were diagnosed, including 29.2% CA and 50% HSP patients. Eleven novel gene variants classified as (likely) pathogenic were identified. Our results support the role of experienced clinicians in the diagnostic assessment and the clinical research of CA and HSP even in the next generation era

Distal motor neuropathy associated with novel EMILIN1 mutation

Abstract Elastin microfibril interface-located proteins (EMILINs) are extracellular matrix glycoproteins implicated in elastogenesis and cell proliferation. Recently, a missense mutation in the EMILIN1 gene has been associated with autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder and motor-sensory neuropathy in a single family. We identified by whole exome sequencing a novel heterozygous EMILIN1 mutation c.748C>T [p.R250C] located in the coiled coil forming region of the protein, in four affected members of an autosomal dominant family presenting a distal motor neuropathy phenotype. In affected patient a sensory nerve biopsy showed slight and unspecific changes in the number and morphology of myelinated fibers. Immunofluorescence study of a motor nerve within a muscle biopsy documented the presence of EMILIN-1 in nerve structures. Skin section and skin derived fibroblasts displayed a reduced extracellular deposition of EMILIN-1 protein with a disorganized network of poorly ramified fibers in comparison with controls. Downregulation of emilin1a in zebrafish displayed developmental delay, locomotion defects, and abnormal axonal arborization from spinal cord motor neurons. The phenotype was complemented by wild-type zebrafish emilin1a, and partially the human wild-type EMILIN1 cRNA, but not by the cRNA harboring the novel c.748C>T [p.R250C]. These data suggest a role of EMILIN-1 in the pathogenesis of diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system