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ADNP is essential for embryonic development. As such, de novo ADNP mutations lead to an intractable autism/intellectual disability syndrome requiring investigation. Mimicking humans, CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)–Cas9 editing produced mice carrying heterozygous Adnp p.Tyr718∗ (Tyr), a paralog of the most common ADNP syndrome mutation. Phenotypic rescue was validated by treatment with the microtubule/autophagy-protective ADNP fragment NAPVSIPQ (NAP). RNA sequencing of spleens, representing a peripheral biomarker source, revealed Tyr-specific sex differences (e.g., cell cycle), accentuated in females (with significant effects on antigen processing and cellular senescence) and corrected by NAP. Differentially expressed, NAP-correctable transcripts, including the autophagy and microbiome resilience–linked FOXO3, were also deregulated in human patient-derived ADNP -mutated lymphoblastoid cells. There were also Tyr sex-specific microbiota signatures. Phenotypically, Tyr mice, similar to patients with ADNP syndrome, exhibited delayed development coupled with sex-dependent gait defects. Speech acquisition delays paralleled sex-specific mouse syntax abnormalities. Anatomically, dendritic spine densities/morphologies were decreased with NAP amelioration. These findings were replicated in the Adnp +/− mouse, including Foxo3 deregulation, required for dendritic spine formation. Grooming duration and nociception threshold (autistic traits) were significantly affected only in males. Early-onset tauopathy was accentuated in males (hippocampus and visual cortex), mimicking humans, and was paralleled by impaired visual evoked potentials and correction by acute NAP treatment. Tyr mice model ADNP syndrome pathology. The newly discovered ADNP/NAP target FOXO3 controls the autophagy initiator LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3), with known ADNP binding to LC3 augmented by NAP, protecting against tauopathy. NAP amelioration attests to specificity, with potential for drug development targeting accessible biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Le syndrome ADNP, pour protéine neuroprotectrice dépendante de l'activité, décrit en 2014, est une cause de déficience intellectuelle et d'autisme syndromiques. Nous rapportons l'état actuel des connaissances, 5 ans après sa découverte. Cette revue de la littérature reprend la description clinique, les outils diagnostiques et la prise en charge de ce syndrome. Nous avons réalisé une revue de la littérature sur le syndrome ADNP, d'avril 2014 à juillet 2019, sur la base des données bibliographiques Medline, via le serveur PubMed, et avons complété notre recherche par une recherche manuelle. Dix-huit articles restituaient des descriptions cliniques de patients porteurs d'un syndrome ADNP, 6 articles décrivant une série de cas ou une étude de cohorte descriptive, 12 articles rapportant des cas cliniques isolés. L'analyse de la littérature souligne l'importance du séquençage de l'exome complet, afin d'établir un diagnostic précoce du syndrome ADNP, dans les cas de syndrome polymalformatif associé à une déficience intellectuelle et/ou un autisme. Une éruption prématurée des dents de lait, un colobome et/ou un blépharophimosis sont évocateurs, sachant que de très nombreux organes peuvent être concernés (malformations cérébro-cranio-faciales, gastroentérologiques, cardiaques, urogénitales, musculosquelettiques notamment). La prise en charge requiert une collaboration étroite entre somaticiens et psychiatres. Des améliorations sont décrites lorsque des soins multidimensionnels, intégratifs et intensifs sont prodigués. Notons que des recherches cliniques sont en cours afin d'offrir aux jeunes avec ADNP une stratégie thérapeutique ciblée, en utilisant de nouveaux peptides de l'ADNP biologiquement actifs. Le syndrome ADNP doit être reconnu précocement pour améliorer la prise en charge multidisciplinaire et la qualité de vie des patients atteints et de leurs familles. En cas de trouble du spectre autistique avec déficience intellectuelle et anomalies congénitales multiples, une analyse génétique avec séquençage de l'exome complet s'avère indispensable. Recently described in 2014, the activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) syndrome combines a neurodevelopmental delay (intellectual disability and/or autism) with multiple body organ involvements. ADNP syndrome is a prevalent syndromic autism spectrum disorder caused by a single de novo mutation, leading to an increasing interest in the ADNP gene as well in clinical and behavioral manifestations of the syndrome. However, the full extent of ADNP syndrome is unknown and a comprehensive clinical overview is needed. We report the current state of knowledge about ADNP syndrome, five years after its discovery. This literature review offers a clinical description and specifies the diagnostic tools and the management of this rare syndrome. We conducted a literature review on the ADNP syndrome from April 2014 to July 2019, based on Medline bibliographic data, via the PubMed server. We completed our search with a manual search. Eighteen articles provide clinical descriptions of patients with ADNP syndrome. Six articles describe a series of cases or a descriptive cohort study. Twelve articles report isolated clinical cases. The literature review emphasizes the importance of whole-exome sequencing, in order to establish an early diagnosis of the ADNP syndrome, in cases of polymalformative syndrome associated with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder. An early primary tooth eruption (almost fully erupted dentition by 1 year of age), a coloboma and/or a blepharophimosis are suggestive features, knowing that many organs may be involved (cerebro-cranio-facial malformations, gastrointestinal, cardiac, urogenital, musculoskeletal in particular). Strikingly, individuals with the recurrent p.Tyr719* mutation were more severely affected. Management requires close collaboration between somaticians and psychiatrists. Improvements may be achieved over time when intensive multidimensional and integrative care is provided. It is worth noting that clinical research is underway to offer ADNP children a target-specific therapeutic strategy, using novel biologically active ADNP peptides. Extensive knowledge concerning the ADNP syndrome is very recent. Early recognition of ADNP syndrome is required to improve the multidisciplinary management and quality of life of affected patients and their families. Genetic testing with next generation sequencing strategies such as whole exome sequencing is compulsory for patients with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and multiple congenital anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In genome-wide screening studies for de novo mutations underlying autism and intellectual disability, mutations in the ADNP gene are consistently reported among the most frequent. ADNP mutations have been identified in children with autism spectrum disorder comorbid with intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and deficits in multiple organ systems. However, a comprehensive clinical description of the Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome is lacking. Methods We identified a worldwide cohort of 78 individuals with likely disruptive mutations in ADNP from January 2014 to October 2016 through systematic literature search, by contacting collaborators, and through direct interaction with parents. Clinicians filled in a structured questionnaire on genetic and clinical findings to enable correlations between genotype and phenotype. Clinical photographs and specialist reports were gathered. Parents were interviewed to complement the written questionnaires. Results We report on the detailed clinical characterization of a large cohort of individuals with an ADNP mutation and demonstrate a distinctive combination of clinical features, including mild to severe intellectual disability, autism, severe speech and motor delay, and common facial characteristics. Brain abnormalities, behavioral problems, sleep disturbance, epilepsy, hypotonia, visual problems, congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal problems, short stature, and hormonal deficiencies are common comorbidities. Strikingly, individuals with the recurrent p.Tyr719* mutation were more severely affected. Conclusions This overview defines the full clinical spectrum of individuals with ADNP mutations, a specific autism subtype. We show that individuals with mutations in ADNP have many overlapping clinical features that are distinctive from those of other autism and/or intellectual disability syndromes. In addition, our data show preliminary evidence of a correlation between genotype and phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Serum FGF2 protein levels were significantly elevated in first-episode, drug-free schizophrenia patients. • Serum ADNP protein levels did not significantly associated with first-episode, drug-free schizophrenia patients. • This study substantially enhances the knowledge of neurotrophic factor profile in patients with SCZ. Abstract Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia (SCZ). However, the roles of other neurotrophic factors in SCZ remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the blood levels of FGF2 and ADNP in first-episode, drug-free SCZ patients compared with healthy control subjects. 20 SCZ patients, and 20 age and sex matched controls were recruited in this study. Serum FGF2 and ADNP protein levels were measured by ELISA assay, and the results showed that FGF2 levels were significantly increased in patients with SCZ when compared with controls, whereas ADNP protein levels did not significantly associated with SCZ. However, we found that blood ADNP mRNA levels were significantly increased in the patients with SCZ when compared with controls. In addition, subgroup analyses suggested that FGF2 levels were significantly increased in female patients of SCZ, but not in male patients of SCZ. Correlation analyses suggested that age and disease severity (PANSS score) did not have moderating effects on the serum FGF2 levels. Taken together, our results for the first time demonstrated that blood FGF2 was up-regulated in first-episode, drug free-SCZ patients, therefore enhancing the knowledge of neurotrophic factor profile in patients with SCZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first trimester three-dimensional ultrasonographic findings in a 13-week-old fetus with complex phenotype and a de novo 4.7 Mb multigene deletion encompassing chromosome region 20q13.13-q13.2 detected by chromosomal microarray. Fetal sonography detected radial-ray anomalies in the form of bilateral absence of thumbs and the left club hand deformity. The presence of single atrioventricular canal instead of the atrial septal defect typical for Holt-Oram syndrome pointed us to rather suspect the SALL4 related diseases. Central nervous system anomaly in the form of enlarged lateral brain ventricles with choroid plexus shifted backwards was not previously reported as a part of SALL4 related disorders. The pregnancy was terminated at 14 + 3 weeks of pregnancy and the autopsy confirmed ultrasonographic findings. Deleted region included 38 genes, where only SALL 4, ADNP and KCNB1 heterozygote pathogenic variants were described to be cause of syndromic forms. Radial ray anomalies are common part of clinical picture of SALL4 related disorders. Despite the lack of prenatally described cases, we hypothesized that maldevelopment of lateral brain ventriculomegaly could be very early sonographic sign of disturbed ADNP expression causing Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome, but in some extent also of KCNB1 related early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. Furthermore, the possible dosage-dependent influence of recessive genes located in this region cannot be also excluded. The use of genome-wide technologies enables the detection of subtle chromosomal imbalances and more precise familial genetic counseling regarding actual and future pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2013 Ebola epidemic in Central and West Africa heralded the emergence of wide-spread, highly pathogenic viruses. The successful recombinant vector vaccine against Ebola (rVSVΔG-ZEBOV-GP) will limit future outbreaks, but identifying mechanisms of protection is essential to protect the most vulnerable. Vaccine-induced antibodies are key determinants of vaccine efficacy, yet the mechanism by which vaccine-induced antibodies prevent Ebola infection remains elusive. Here, we exploit a break in long-term vaccine efficacy in non-human primates to identify predictors of protection. Using unbiased humoral profiling that captures neutralization and Fc-mediated functions, we find that antibodies specific for soluble glycoprotein (sGP) drive neutrophil-mediated phagocytosis and predict vaccine-mediated protection. Similarly, we show that protective sGP-specific monoclonal antibodies have elevated neutrophil-mediated phagocytic activity compared with non-protective antibodies, highlighting the importance of sGP in vaccine protection and monoclonal antibody therapeutics against Ebola virus. [Display omitted] • GP and sGP antibodies are induced by rVSVΔ G-ZEBOV-GP vaccine • Neutrophil phagocytosis is leveraged by sGP-targeted antibodies • Non-neutralizing antibody functions to sGP are correlated with EBOV protection Gunn et al. show that the commercially available Ebola virus vaccine leads to sustained protection in a macaque model of partial protection when antibodies are directed against the soluble glycoprotein of Ebola, a target previously thought to have a minimal role in protection against disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) establishes a latent infection in the cell nucleus, but where KSHV episomal genomes are tethered and the mechanisms underlying KSHV lytic reactivation are unclear. Here, we study the nuclear microenvironment of KSHV episomes and show that the KSHV latency-lytic replication switch is regulated via viral long non-coding (lnc)RNA-CHD4 (chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 4) interaction. KSHV episomes localize with CHD4 and ADNP proteins, components of the cellular ChAHP complex. The CHD4 and ADNP proteins occupy the 5′-region of the highly inducible lncRNAs and terminal repeats of the KSHV genome together with latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA). Viral lncRNA binding competes with CHD4 DNA binding, and KSHV reactivation sequesters CHD4 from the KSHV genome, which is also accompanied by detachment of KSHV episomes from host chromosome docking sites. We propose a model in which robust KSHV lncRNA expression determines the latency-lytic decision by regulating LANA/CHD4 binding to KSHV episomes. [Display omitted] • KSHV episomes tether to host chromosomes at CHD4 enriched regions • CHD4-LANA complex binds to the PAN RNA promoter and terminal repeat regions • The viral long non-coding RNA sequesters CHD4 from KSHV genomes during reactivation • CHD4 facilitates KSHV to establish latency and inhibits reactivation Kumar et al. perform Capture Hi-C to identify KSHV tethering sites on host chromosomes. They highlight that LANA interacts with CHD4, and KSHV episomes localize at CHD4 enriched regions. KSHV non-coding RNA binds and sequesters CHD4 during reactivation. This study furthers our understanding of the mechanism of the latency-lytic switch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Alzheimer''s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia of late life. To enhance our understanding of AD proteome, the serum proteins were analyzed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) combined with nano-high performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (nano-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) followed by peptide fragmentation patterning. In this study, six protein spots with differential expression were identified. Five up-regulated proteins were identified as actin, apolipoprotein A-IV (Apo A-IV), inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), and antithrombin-III (AT-III); one protein, activity-dependent neuroprotector homeobox protein (ADNP) was down-regulated in AD patients. These proteins with differential expression in the serum may serve as potential indicators of AD. Our results suggested that ADNP may play an important role in slowing the progression of clinical symptoms of AD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Activity-dependent neurotrophic protein (ADNP) was discovered as a novel response gene for VIP and has neuroprotective potential. When the VIP paralog, PACAP38 was added to mouse neuron–glia co-cultures, it induced ADNP mRNA expression in a bimodal fashion at subpico- and nanomolar concentrations with greater response at subpicomolar level. The response was attenuated by a PAC1-R antagonist at both concentrations and by a VPAC1-R antagonist at nanomolar concentration only. An IP3/PLC inhibitor attenuated the response at both concentrations of PACAP38, but a MAPK inhibitor had no effect. A PKA inhibitor suppressed the response at nanomolar concentration only. These findings suggest that ADNP expression is mediated through multiple receptors and signaling pathways that are regulated by different concentrations of PACAP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) is a highly conserved vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) responsive gene that is expressed abundantly in the brain and in the body and is essential for brain formation and embryonic development. Since, VIP exhibits sexual dimorphism in the hypothalamus, the potential differential expression of ADNP in male and female mice was investigated. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed sexual dimorphism in ADNP mRNA expression as well as fluctuations within the estrus cycle. Immunohistochemistry with an antibody to ADNP showed specific staining in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. ADNP-like immunoreactivity in the arcuate nucleus also exhibited fluctuations during the estrus cycle. Here, brain sections at proestrus were the most immunoreactive and brain sections at estrus—the least. Furthermore, male arcuate nucleus ADNP-like immunoreactivity was significantly lower than that of the female estrus. Many neuropeptides, neurotransmitters and proteins are localized to the arcuate nucleus where they contribute to the regulation of reproductive cyclicity and energy homeostasis. The results presented here suggest that ADNP has a part in the estrus cycle as an affecter or an effector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]