BackgroundCSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy, also known as hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS), is a rare white-matter encephalopathy characterized by motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms due to colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) gene mutation. Few of CSF1R mutations have been functionally testified and the pathogenesis remains unknown.MethodsIn order to investigate clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy and explore the potential impact of CSF1R mutations, we analyzed clinical manifestations of 15 patients from 10 unrelated families and performed brain biopsy in 2 cases. Next generation sequencing was conducted for 10 probands to confirm the diagnosis. Sanger sequencing, segregation analysis and phenotypic reevaluation were utilized to substantiate findings. Functional examination of identified mutations was further explored.ResultsClinical and neuroimaging characteristics were summarized. The average age at onset was 35.9 ± 6.4 years (range 24–46 years old). Younger age of onset was observed in female than male (34.2 vs. 39.2 years). The most common initial symptoms were speech dysfunction, cognitive decline and parkinsonian symptoms. One patient also had marked peripheral neuropathy. Brain biopsy of two cases showed typical pathological changes, including myelin loss, axonal spheroids, phosphorylated neurofilament and activated macrophages. Electron microscopy disclosed increased mitochondrial vacuolation and disorganized neurofilaments in ballooned axons. A total of 7 pathogenic variants (4 novel, 3 documented) were identified with autophosphorylation deficiency, among which c.2342C > T remained partial function of autophosphorylation. Western blotting disclosed the significantly lower level of c.2026C > T (p.R676*) than wild type. The level of microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3-II (LC3-II), a classical marker of autophagy, was significantly lower in mutants expressed cells than wild type group by western blotting and immunofluorescence staining.ConclusionsOur findings support the loss-of-function and haploinsufficiency hypothesis in pathogenesis. Autophagy abnormality may play a role in the disease. Repairing or promoting the phosphorylation level of mutant CSF1R may shed light on therapeutic targets in the future. However, whether peripheral polyneuropathy potentially belongs to CSF1R-related spectrum deserves further study with longer follow-up and more patients enrolled.Trial registrationChiCTR, ChiCTR1800015295. Registered 21 March 2018.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40035-019-0171-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is the most common type of paroxysmal dyskinesias. Only one‐third of PKD patients are attributed to proline‐rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) mutations. Objective We aimed to explore the potential causative gene for PKD. Methods A cohort of 196 PRRT2‐negative PKD probands were enrolled for whole‐exome sequencing (WES). Gene Ranking, Identification and Prediction Tool, a method of case–control analysis, was applied to identify the candidate genes. Another 325 PRRT2‐negative PKD probands were subsequently screened with Sanger sequencing. Results Transmembrane Protein 151 (TMEM151A) variants were mainly clustered in PKD patients compared with the control groups. 24 heterozygous variants were detected in 25 of 521 probands (frequency = 4.80%), including 18 missense and 6 nonsense mutations. In 29 patients with TMEM151A variants, the ratio of male to female was 2.63:1 and the mean age of onset was 12.93 ± 3.15 years. Compared with PRRT2 mutation carriers, TMEM151A‐related PKD were more common in sporadic PKD patients with pure phenotype. There was no significant difference in types of attack and treatment outcome between TMEM151A‐positive and PRRT2‐positive groups. Conclusions We consolidated mutations in TMEM151A causing PKD with the aid of case–control analysis of a large‐scale WES data, which broadens the genotypic spectrum of PKD. TMEM151A‐related PKD were more common in sporadic cases and tended to present as pure phenotype with a late onset. Extensive functional studies are needed to enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of TMEM151A‐related PKD. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Objective Lymphocyte activation gene‐3 (LAG‐3) could mediate pathological α‐synuclein transmission in neurodegeneration and may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of the present study was to explore soluble LAG‐3 (sLAG‐3) as a potential diagnostic biomarker for PD. Methods Serum sLAG‐3 concentrations were measured by a quantitative ELISA for patients with PD, essential tremor (ET) and age‐ and sex‐matched controls. The relationships between sLAG‐3 and clinical phenotype were assessed via correlation analysis and logistic regression. Results Serum sLAG‐3 levels in patients with PD were significantly higher than those in ET patients and age‐ and sex‐matched controls. The area under the curve of serum sLAG‐3 in differentiating PD from age‐ and sex‐matched controls was 0.82. Serum sLAG‐3 was associated with non‐motor symptoms and excessive daytime sleep. Conclusion sLAG‐3 is a candidate novel biomarker for PD. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

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