DiGeorge综合征是由于染色体22q11.2一个拷贝数缺失导致的一系列表型及神经系统异常的综合征。
[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: 已被基因拷贝数分析证实为22q11.2一个拷贝数缺失。收集来自Sean A.McGhee,MD和Maria Garcia Lloret,MD [Citation ends].该缺失导致咽弓发育的关键转录因子TBX1水平降低。这种发育畸形可导致心脏畸形、免疫异常、唇腭裂、甲状旁腺功能减低、学习及精神障碍。
TBX1基因一个拷贝的缺失导致咽弓TBX1蛋白不足。[21]Vitelli F, Taddei I, Morishima M, et al. A genetic link between Tbx1 and fibroblast growth factor signaling. Development. 2002;129:4605-4611.http://dev.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/129/19/4605http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12223416?tool=bestpractice.comTBX1与其他多种信号分子相互作用,包括成纤维细胞生长因子及血管内皮生长因子,促进咽弓发育。[25]Piotrowski T, Ahn D, Schilling TF, et al. The zebrafish van gogh mutation disrupts tbx1, which is involved in the DiGeorge deletion syndrome in humans. Development. 2003;130:5043-5052.http://dev.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/130/20/5043http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12952905?tool=bestpractice.com因为TBX1不足,咽弓及咽囊畸形,二者组成的结构发育不良。[26]Lindsay EA, Vitelli F, Su H, et al. Tbx1 haploinsufficiency in the DiGeorge syndrome region causes aortic arch defects in mice. Nature. 2001;410:97-101.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11242049?tool=bestpractice.com小鼠中单纯TBX1基因缺陷足以阻碍第四咽弓动脉发育,这是DiGeorge综合征的重要特征。[26]Lindsay EA, Vitelli F, Su H, et al. Tbx1 haploinsufficiency in the DiGeorge syndrome region causes aortic arch defects in mice. Nature. 2001;410:97-101.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11242049?tool=bestpractice.comTBX1基因缺失的纯合子小鼠表现为胸腺及甲状旁腺的完全缺如,连锁缺失的半合子小鼠表现为胸腺发育不良。[13]Jerome LA, Papaioannou VE. DiGeorge syndrome phenotype in mice mutant for the T-box gene, Tbx1. Nat Genet. 2001;27:286-291.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11242110?tool=bestpractice.com[27]Taddei I, Morishima M, Huynh T, et al. Genetic factors are major determinants of phenotypic variability in a mouse model of the DiGeorge/del22q11 syndromes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001;98:11428-11431.http://www.pnas.org/content/98/20/11428.longhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11562466?tool=bestpractice.comTBX1同样在第二生心区和脑中被发现,在脑中可促进神经系统表型发育。[28]Nowotschin S, Liao J, Gage PJ, et al. Tbx1 affects asymmetric cardiac morphogenesis by regulating Pitx2 in the secondary heart field. Development. 2006;133:1565-1573.http://dev.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/133/8/1565http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16556915?tool=bestpractice.com对小鼠的研究表明当TBX1缺乏时,胚胎发育初期即出现发育障碍,但一些小鼠在后期发育阶段中似乎可以纠正这种缺陷。[27]Taddei I, Morishima M, Huynh T, et al. Genetic factors are major determinants of phenotypic variability in a mouse model of the DiGeorge/del22q11 syndromes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001;98:11428-11431.http://www.pnas.org/content/98/20/11428.longhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11562466?tool=bestpractice.com这提示其他基因可能具有改良疾病状态的作用,也提示至少某些疾病特征是可以预防的。
对染色体22q缺失的小鼠模型的研究表明,由缺失区域发现的DGCR8基因所引起的微小RNA的改变,可导致DiGeorge综合征相关的神经系统畸形及头颅影像学异常改变。[29]Swaby JA, Silversides CK, Bekeschus SC, et al. Complex congenital heart disease in unaffected relatives of adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Am J Cardiol. 2011;107:466-471.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21257016?tool=bestpractice.com[30]Fénelon K, Mukai J, Xu B, et al. Deficiency of Dgcr8, a gene disrupted by the 22q11.2 microdeletion, results in altered short-term plasticity in the prefrontal cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108:4447-4452.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21368174?tool=bestpractice.com
某些基因多态性已被证实可能增加一些特定并发症的风险。[31]Stalmans I, Lambrechts D, De Smet F, et al. VEGF: a modifier of the del22q11 (DiGeorge) syndrome? Nat Med. 2003;9:173-182.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12539040?tool=bestpractice.com[32]Gothelf D, Eliez S, Thompson T, et al. COMT genotype predicts longitudinal cognitive decline and psychosis in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Nat Neurosci. 2005;8:1500-1502.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16234808?tool=bestpractice.com[33]Glaser B, Debbane M, Hinard C, et al. No evidence for an effect of COMT Val158Met genotype on executive function in patients with 22q11 deletion syndrome. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163:537-539.http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=178107http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16513880?tool=bestpractice.com
缺失区域儿茶酚-O-甲基转移酶多态性可增加患精神分裂症的风险,尽管各家研究存在争议。小鼠模型中血管内皮生长因子多态性将改变心脏病的发病率。人类可能会有类似的机制。这些多态性尚未用于临床检验及判断患儿预后。
自身免疫性疾病也是染色体22q11.2缺失的特征之一,并与T细胞减少严重程度相关。[34]Tison BE, Nicholas SK, Abramson SL, et al. Autoimmunity in a cohort of 130 pediatric patients with partial DiGeorge syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011;128:1115-1117.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21835443?tool=bestpractice.com