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Background: Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare disease caused by SPINK5 mutations, featuring variable skin and hair involvement and, in many cases, allergic manifestations with a risk of lethality, particularly in infants. The clinical management of NS is challenging., Objectives: To analyse the clinical manifestations of a cohort of infants with NS managed in a reference centre and to draw up recommendations for management., Methods: We conducted a monocentric analysis of patients with NS. The inclusion criteria were management in our reference centre, a histologically or molecularly confirmed diagnosis of NS and available epidemiological, clinical and laboratory data., Results: A total of 43 patients with NS were included. Hypernatraemia was reported in 23 cases (54%) and associated with a greater likelihood of enteral and/or parenteral nutritional support (P < 0.001). Moreover, hypernatraemia was more frequent in patients with skin manifestations at birth (P = 0.026) and in patients bearing the c.153delT mutation in SPINK5 exon 3 (P = 0.014). The need for enteral and/or parenteral nutritional support was associated with a history of hypernatraemic dehydration (P < 0.001). Several unexpected extracutaneous complications were recorded, and new mutations were reported. The death rate (9% overall) was higher among the subset of patients bearing the c.153delT deletion., Conclusions: Our data emphasize that neonatal NS is a severe and sometimes lethal multisystem disorder. Patients have a high risk of variable metabolic anomalies (i.e. lethal hypernatraemia) and therefore have major nutritional needs. Cases of NS associated with c.153delT are particularly severe. Unexpected clinical manifestations broadened the phenotypic spectrum of NS. We provide recommendations on the management of the life-threatening manifestations of NS in neonates based on our multidisciplinary experience., (© 2020 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Background: Netherton syndrome (NS) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to mutations in the SPINK5 gene. Here, we report the first case of NS caused by a large genomic deletion., Methods: We present the clinical data of a 3-year-old Chinese boy who was initially misdiagnosed with severe atopic dermatitis. Subsequently, the patient presented with typical ichthyosis linearis circumflexa and had representative hair shaft of trichorrhexis invaginate, which alerted the physician of the high possibility of NS. A genomic DNA sample was extracted from peripheral blood and whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed. Sanger sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to verify the mutation and genomic deletion, respectively, in the pedigree., Results: WES revealed compound heterozygous mutations in SPINK5, including a c.80A>G mutation and a ~275 Kb-sized genomic deletion (chr5:147443576-147719312). The c.80A>G mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing in the pedigree. The father had the same heterozygous mutation; however, the mutation was absent in the proband's mother. The qRT-PCR results identified a large deletion (chr5:147444834-147445034) in SPINK5 in the proband and his mother. The eruptions improved remarkably after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy., Conclusions: This is the first observation of NS caused by a large deletion. Our findings have important implications for mutation screening and genetic counseling in NS. Our report also verifies and supports the safety and efficacy of IVIG therapy in patients with NS., (© 2021 The Authors. Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

To date, more than 200 monogenic, often devastating, skin diseases have been described. Because of unmet medical needs, development of long-lasting and curative therapies has been consistently attempted, with the aim of correcting the underlying molecular defect. In this review, we will specifically address the few combined cell and gene therapy strategies that made it to the clinics. Based on these studies, what can be envisioned for the future is a patient-oriented strategy, built on the specific features of the individual in need. Most likely, a combination of different strategies, approaches, and advanced therapies will be required to reach the finish line at the end of the long and winding road hampering the achievement of definitive treatments for genodermatoses., (Copyright © 2020 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press; all rights reserved.)

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare autosomal recessive skin disorder caused by mutations in SPINK5 . It is a debilitating condition with notable mortality in the early years of life. There is no curative treatment. We undertook a nonrandomized, open-label, feasibility, and safety study using autologous keratinocytes transduced with a lentiviral vector encoding SPINK5 under the control of the human involucrin promoter. Six NS subjects were recruited, and gene-modified epithelial sheets were successfully generated in three of five subjects. The sheets exhibited expression of correctly sized lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) protein after modification. One subject was grafted with a 20 cm 2 gene-modified graft on the left anterior thigh without any adverse complications and was monitored by serial sampling for 12 months. Recovery within the graft area was compared against an area outside by morphology, proviral copy number and expression of the SPINK5 encoded protein, LEKTI, and its downstream target kallikrein 5, which exhibited transient functional correction. The study confirmed the feasibility of generating lentiviral gene-modified epidermal sheets for inherited skin diseases such as NS, but sustained LEKTI expression is likely to require the identification, targeting, and engraftment of long-lived keratinocyte stem cell populations for durable therapeutic effects. Important learning points for the application of gene-modified epidermal sheets are discussed.

Netherton syndrome (NS) is an orphan genetic skin disease with a profound skin barrier defect and severe allergic manifestations. NS is caused by loss of function mutations in SPINK5 encoding lympho-epithelial Kazal-type inhibitor (LEKTI), a secreted multi-domain serine protease inhibitor expressed in stratified epithelia. Studies in mouse models and in NS patients have established that unopposed kallikrein 5 activity triggers stratum corneum detachment and activates PAR-2 signaling, leading to the autonomous production of pro-allergic and pro-inflammatory mediators. This emerging knowledge on NS pathogenesis has highlighted a central role for protease regulation in skin homeostasis but also in the complexity of the disease, and holds the promise of new specific treatments.

Background: Netherton syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease demonstrating ichthyosis linearis circumflexa, atopic findings, and hair shaft anomalies. Trichorrhexis invaginata is the pathognomonic hair shaft anomaly seen in this syndrome., Objective: In recent years, hair shaft anomalies have been described as "matchstick" and "golf tee" signs. We present a patient with Netherton syndrome diagnosed by the presence of matchstick and golf tee hairs in addition to trichorrhexis invaginata.

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ichthyosiform scaling, hair abnormalities, and variable atopic features. Mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 5 (SPINK5) gene leading to lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) deficiency cause NS. Growth retardation is a classic feature of NS, but growth hormone (GH) deficiency with subsequent response to GH therapy is not documented in the literature. It is proposed that a lack of inhibition of proteases due to a deficiency of LEKTI in the pituitary gland leads to the overprocessing of human GH in NS. Herein we report three patients with NS who had growth retardation associated with GH deficiency and responded well to GH therapy., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a serious inherited skin disorder caused by mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 5 gene (SPINK5), which encodes for a serine protease inhibitor lymphoepithelial Kazal type-related inhibitor (LEKTI). Patients with NS have defective keratinization, hair shaft defects, recurrent infections, atopy, and a predisposition to skin malignancies. Historically, 1 in 10 infants has died before their first birthday. Currently, there are no proven treatments to cure this condition. A SIN-lentiviral vector encoding the codon-optimized SPINK5 gene under the control of a 572 bp element derived from the human involucrin promoter can confer compartment-specific LEKTI expression in NS keratinocytes with restoration of normal skin architecture. Here we detail a study protocol for a phase I trial for feasibility and safety evaluations of autologous epidermal sheets generated from ex vivo gene-corrected keratinocyte stem cells, which will be grafted onto patients with mutation-proven NS.

Netherton syndrome (NS, OMIM 256500) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder manifesting with congenital ichthyosis, a specific hair shaft abnormality named trichorrhexis invaginata, and atopic manifestations. Because of severe complications frequently occurring in the neonatal period, NS prognosis can be poor in infancy. NS is due to loss-of-function mutations in the SPINK5 gene and to the consequent lack of expression of its encoded protein LEKTI in the skin and all stratified epithelial tissues. Following the identification of the NS causative gene and protein, specific diagnostic tools have been developed, thus breaking up the challenge of distinguishing NS from other congenital ichthyoses with overlapping features, and from severe, early-onset forms of atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Intensive efforts to extend the knowledge into the pathomechanisms of NS have also been made. However, NS management is still problematic due to the lack of specific treatment and unmet needs. This overview summarizes the current state of the art in NS research with an emphasis on the progress made toward disease-specific innovative therapy development.

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare congenital ichthyosis that is characterized by impaired skin barrier function. Topical medications are cautiously used in NS since toxicity from systemic absorption is a major concern. Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy is an alternative therapeutic option that demonstrated its beneficial and practical use in a patient with NS., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Hizentra® is a 20% liquid IgG product approved for subcutaneous administration in adults and children greater than 2 years of age. We report two infants less than 2 years in which administration of Hizentra® was safe and effective.

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare and severe autosomal recessive ichthyosis. We report the case of a patient with NS treated successfully with narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy after failure of low-dose oral isotretinoin. A 16-year-old girl born to consanguineous parents presented with severe ichthyosis. On examination of her hair, she was found to have trichorrhexis invaginata. Genetic analysis revealed a SPINK5 mutation specific for NS. The patient's cousin had the same mutation. The patient developed Cushing syndrome after long-term application of topical steroids. She was treated with low-dose oral isotretinoin with no benefit. NB-UVB phototherapy was started, which resulted in marked improvement after 2 months. In conclusion, we report a case of NS with failure of low-dose oral isotretinoin, for which NB-UVB phototherapy, through its apoptosis-inducing and immunomodulatory effects, was effective. However, long-term use of UVB is limited by its potential side-effects., (© The Author(s). CED © 2012 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a debilitating congenital skin disorder caused by mutations in the SPINK5 gene encoding the lymphoepithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI). It is characterized by defective keratinization, recurrent infections, and hypernatraemic dehydration with a mortality rate of about 10% in the first year of life. Currently, there are no curative treatments for NS. We have developed a HIV-1 based, self-inactivating lentiviral vector to express SPINK5 in keratinocytes as part of an ex-vivo gene therapy strategy for NS. High transduction efficiency was achieved in NS keratinocytes and reconstitution of LEKTI expression was confirmed in previously deficient cells. These genetically corrected keratinocytes were further tested in an in vitro organotypic culture (OTC) system and in vivo mouse/human skin engraftment model. Results showed correction of epidermal architecture in both OTCs and regenerated skin grafts. Importantly, the results from corrected skin grafts indicated that even where detectable LEKTI expression was restored to a limited numbers of cells, a wider bystander benefit occurred around these small populations. As LEKTI is a secreted protein, the genetically modified graft may provide not only an immediate local protective barrier, but also act as a source of secreted LEKTI providing a generalized benefit following ex-vivo gene therapy.