BACKGROUND/AIMS: Meckel syndrome is an autosomal-recessive disease characterized by a combination of renal cysts, anomalies of the central nervous system, polydactyly and ductal plate malformations (DPM), which are hepatic anomalies consisting of excessive and abnormal foetal biliary structures. Among the genomic loci associated with Meckel syndrome, mutations in four genes were recently identified. These genes code for proteins associated with primary cilia and are possibly involved in cell differentiation. The aim of the present work was to investigate the formation of the primary cilia and the differentiation of the hepatic cells in foetuses with Meckel syndrome. METHODS: Sections of livers from human foetuses with Meckel syndrome were analysed by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The primary cilia of the biliary cells were absent in some Meckel foetuses, but were present in others. In addition, defects in hepatic differentiation were observed in Meckel livers, as evidenced by the presence of hybrid cells co-expressing hepatocytic and biliary markers. CONCLUSIONS: Defects in cilia formation occur in some Meckel livers, and most cases show DPM associated with abnormal hepatic cell differentiation. Because differentiation precedes the formation of the cilia during liver development, we propose that defective differentiation may constitute the initial defect in the liver of Meckel syndrome foetuses.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Meckel syndrome is an autosomal-recessive disease characterized by a combination of renal cysts, anomalies of the central nervous system, polydactyly and ductal plate malformations (DPM), which are hepatic anomalies consisting of excessive and abnormal foetal biliary structures. Among the genomic loci associated with Meckel syndrome, mutations in four genes were recently identified. These genes code for proteins associated with primary cilia and are possibly involved in cell differentiation. The aim of the present work was to investigate the formation of the primary cilia and the differentiation of the hepatic cells in foetuses with Meckel syndrome. METHODS: Sections of livers from human foetuses with Meckel syndrome were analysed by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The primary cilia of the biliary cells were absent in some Meckel foetuses, but were present in others. In addition, defects in hepatic differentiation were observed in Meckel livers, as evidenced by the presence of hybrid cells co-expressing hepatocytic and biliary markers. CONCLUSIONS: Defects in cilia formation occur in some Meckel livers, and most cases show DPM associated with abnormal hepatic cell differentiation. Because differentiation precedes the formation of the cilia during liver development, we propose that defective differentiation may constitute the initial defect in the liver of Meckel syndrome foetuses.
Authors: Merlin Airik; Markus Schüler; Blake McCourt; Anna-Carina Weiss; Nathan Herdman; Timo H Lüdtke; Eugen Widmeier; Donna B Stolz; Kari N Nejak-Bowen; Dean Yimlamai; Yijen L Wu; Andreas Kispert; Rannar Airik; Friedhelm Hildebrandt Journal: Hum Mol Genet Date: 2020-11-04 Impact factor: 6.150
Authors: Rachaneekorn Tammachote; Cynthia J Hommerding; Rachel M Sinders; Caroline A Miller; Peter G Czarnecki; Amanda C Leightner; Jeffrey L Salisbury; Christopher J Ward; Vicente E Torres; Vincent H Gattone; Peter C Harris Journal: Hum Mol Genet Date: 2009-06-10 Impact factor: 6.150
Authors: L A Devlin; S A Ramsbottom; L M Overman; S N Lisgo; G Clowry; E Molinari; L Powell; C G Miles; J A Sayer Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-01-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Miriam Iannicelli; Francesco Brancati; Soumaya Mougou-Zerelli; Annalisa Mazzotta; Sophie Thomas; Nadia Elkhartoufi; Lorena Travaglini; Céline Gomes; Gian Luigi Ardissino; Enrico Bertini; Eugen Boltshauser; Pierangela Castorina; Stefano D'Arrigo; Rita Fischetto; Brigitte Leroy; Philippe Loget; Maryse Bonnière; Lena Starck; Julia Tantau; Barbara Gentilin; Silvia Majore; Dominika Swistun; Elizabeth Flori; Faustina Lalatta; Chiara Pantaleoni; Johannes Penzien; Paola Grammatico; Bruno Dallapiccola; Joseph G Gleeson; Tania Attie-Bitach; Enza Maria Valente Journal: Hum Mutat Date: 2010-05 Impact factor: 4.878