Mutations in the genes necessary for the structure and function of vertebrate photoreceptor cells are associated with multiple forms of inherited retinal degeneration. Mutations in the gene encoding RHO (rhodopsin) are a common cause of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP), with the Pro23His variant of RHO resulting in a misfolded protein that activates endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response. Stimulating macroautophagy/autophagy has been proposed as a strategy for clearing misfolded RHO and reducing photoreceptor death. We found that retinas from mice heterozygous for the gene encoding the RHO variant (hereafter called P23H) exhibited elevated levels of autophagy flux, and that pharmacological stimulation of autophagy accelerated retinal degeneration. In contrast, reducing autophagy flux pharmacologically or by rod-specific deletion of the autophagy-activating gene Atg5, improved photoreceptor structure and function. Furthermore, proteasome levels and activity were reduced in the P23H retina, and increased when Atg5 was deleted. Our findings suggest that autophagy contributes to photoreceptor cell death in P23H mice, and that decreasing autophagy shifts the degradation of misfolded RHO protein to the proteasome and is protective. These observations suggest that modulating the flux of misfolded proteins from autophagy to the proteasome may represent an important therapeutic strategy for reducing proteotoxicity in adRP and other diseases caused by protein folding defects.

These findings support the hypothesis that an IgA Fc-folate conjugate can destroy TNBC cells by eliciting PMN-mediated ADCC.

Background Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is classically attributed to defective 21-hydroxylase, caused by mutations in CYP21A2, impairing the production of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids and subsequently shifting steroidogenesis towards androgen production. This produces a classic constellation of neonatal symptoms, including genital virilization, salt-wasting, and adrenal crisis. A rare cause of CAH is a defect in 11β-hydroxylase from a mutation in CYP11B1, preventing production of cortisol and corticosterone, resulting in hypertension, hypokalemia, and androgen excess. Reports of combined mutations in CYP21A2 and CYP11B1 in the literature and the clinical manifestations of such a case are not well described. Here we present a case report wherein a pair of heterogenous mutations in CYP2A12 and CYP11B1 were detected in a new diagnosis of nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, including a previously undescribed mutation in CYP11B1. Clinical Case The patient is a 30-year-old female who presented to her primary care clinic with teenage-onset irregular menses occurring every 2-3 months. She also reported hirsutism, but never had acne, changes in thirst or urination, or breast discharge. Primary evaluation revealed prolactin of 34.7 ng/mL, prompting a pituitary MRI which revealed a 2×3mm lesion. At this point, referral was made to endocrinology for endocrinological. PCOS was felt to be the top differential for her hirsutism and irregular menses but further workup to rule out CAH revealed a 17-OH-Progesterone of 554 ng/dL and a Testosterone of 83 ng/dL. Subsequently, a 250 mcg cosyntropin test increased 17-OH progesterone to 837 ng/dL and resulted in a cortisol of 24.7 mCg/dL after 60 minutes. Subsequent CAH gene sequencing was performed and revealed a heterogeneous pathogenic CYP21A2 variant (c.332_339 del; p.Gly111Valfs*21) and a heterogeneous previously undescribed variant of undetermined significance in CYP11B1 (c.1123C>T; p.Leu375Phe). Conclusion At least 100 mutations of CYP11B1 have been found to cause CAH due to 11β-Hydroxylase deficiency. Our case adds to the growing database of described mutations in CY11B1 and suggests that heterogenous mutations in two different genes may present phenotypically as nonclassic CAH in a potentially epistatic fashion. This enriches earlier conclusions that broader genetic analysis beyond CYP21A2 deletions is needed to identify the genotypes of those with CAH due to the complex diversity of genetic mutations, and ought to remind clinicians to consider it as a diagnosis, particularly in young women whose hyperandrogenism or menstrual irregularities cannot be explained by common endocrinological abnormalities or do not have an appropriate response to traditional treatment. Presentation: Saturday, June 11, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.