New mutations at the imprinted Gnas cluster show gene dosage effects of Gsα in postnatal growth and implicate XLαs in bone and fat metabolism, but not in suckling

The imprinted Gnas cluster is involved in obesity, energy metabolism, feeding behavior, and viability. Relative contribution of paternally expressed proteins XLαs, XLN1, and ALEX or a double dose of maternally expressed Gsα to phenotype has not been established. In this study, we have generated two new mutants (Ex1A-T-CON and Ex1A-T) at the Gnas cluster. Paternal inheritance of Ex1A-T-CON leads to loss of imprinting of Gsα, resulting in preweaning growth retardation followed by catch-up growth. Paternal inheritance of Ex1A-T leads to loss of imprinting of Gsα and loss of expression of XLαs and XLN1. These mice have severe preweaning growth retardation and incomplete catch-up growth. They are fully viable probably because suckling is unimpaired, unlike mutants in which the expression of all the known paternally expressed Gnasxl proteins (XLαs, XLN1 and ALEX) is compromised. We suggest that loss of ALEX is most likely responsible for the suckling defects previously observed. In adults, paternal inheritance of Ex1A-T results in an increased metabolic rate and reductions in fat mass, leptin, and bone mineral density attributable to loss of XLαs. This is, to our knowledge, the first report describing a role for XLαs in bone metabolism. We propose that XLαs is involved in the regulation of bone and adipocyte metabolism

Clinical significance of serological biomarkers and neuropsychological performances in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common form of focal epilepsy. Serum biomarkers to predict cognitive performance in TLE patients without psychiatric comorbidities and the link with gray matter (GM) atrophy have not been fully explored.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-four patients with TLE and 34 sex - and age-matched controls were enrolled for standardized cognitive tests, neuroimaging studies as well as measurements of serum levels of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), S100ß protein (S100ßP), neuronal specific enolase (NSE), plasma nuclear and mitochondrial DNA levels.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with the controls, the patients with TLE had poorer cognitive performances and higher HSP70 and S100ßP levels (<it>p </it>< 0.01). The patients with higher frequencies of seizures had higher levels of HSP70, NSE and S100ßP (<it>p </it>< 0.01). Serum HSP70 level correlated positively with duration of epilepsy (σ = 0.413, <it>p </it>< 0.01), and inversely with memory scores in the late registration (σ = −0.276, <it>p </it>= 0.01) and early recall score (σ = −0.304, <it>p </it>= 0.007). Compared with the controls, gray matter atrophy in the hippocampal and parahippocampal areas, putamen, thalamus and supplementary motor areas were found in the patient group. The HSP70 levels showed an inverse correlation with hippocampal volume (R square = 0.22, <it>p </it>= 0.007) after controlling for the effect of age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that serum biomarkers were predictive of higher frequencies of seizures in the TLE group. HSP70 may be considered to be a stress biomarker in patients with TLE in that it correlated inversely with memory scores and hippocampal volume. In addition, the symmetric extratemporal atrophic patterns may be related to damage of neuronal networks and epileptogenesis in TLE.</p

Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia Patients 55 Years or Older

\ua9 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &amp; ImmunologyBackground: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), caused by mutations in the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene, leads to defective B-cell development and low or absent serum immunoglobulins. Advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved outcomes, allowing some patients to live beyond their sixth decade. Objective: To describe the clinical, genetic, treatment, and functional status of XLA patients aged 55 years or older. Methods: Immunologists provided anonymized, physician-reported clinical and molecular details of XLA patients aged 55 years or older. Patients were categorized as having missense mutations (BTK missense) or non-missense mutations (BTK non-missense). Results: Fifty-seven patients were submitted. Forty-eight were considered for final analysis, including 43 with molecularly confirmed XLA and 5 with a strong clinical history. Persistent respiratory infections were common: 64.6% (upper respiratory tract) and 83.3% (lower respiratory tract). Chronic lung disease (72.9%) and gastrointestinal/hepatic disorders (47.9%) were among the most prevalent complications. Most living patients (80.5%) reported good functional status (Karnofsky scores &gt; 80). Missense variants accounted for 62.8% (n = 27), non-missense variants for 37.2% (n = 16); 5 patients lacked classifiable mutation details. Among 34 patients with BTK expression data, 70.6% had detectable BTK protein, significantly more common in the missense group (83.3% vs 30%; P = .005). The non-missense group had higher mortality, more infections, greater antibiotic use, worse pulmonary function, and lower functional status. Conclusions: Chronic respiratory complications are common in older XLA patients, although most maintain good functional status. Genetic testing aids prognostication; BTK missense mutations are linked to better outcomes. Further research is needed to address the unique challenges of aging in XLA