Abstract
BackgroundX-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), a rare genetic disorder, affects the normal development of ectodermal derivatives, such as hair, skin, teeth, and sweat glands. It is caused by pathogenic variants of the gene EDA and defined by a triad of hypotrichosis, hypo- or anodontia, and hypo- or anhidrosis which may lead to life-threatening hyperthermia. Although female carriers are less severely affected than male patients, they display symptoms, too, with high phenotypic variability. This study aimed to elucidate whether phenotypic differences in female XLHED patients with identical EDA genotypes might be explained by deviating X-chromosome inactivation (XI) patterns.MethodsSix families, each consisting of two sisters with the same EDA variant and their parents (with either mother or father being carrier of the variant), participated in this study. XLHED-related data like sweating ability, dental status, facial dysmorphism, and skin issues were assessed. We determined the women`s individual XI patterns in peripheral blood leukocytes by the human androgen receptor assay and collated the results with phenotypic features.ResultsThe surprisingly large inter- and intrafamilial variability of symptoms in affected females was not explicable by the pathogenic variants. Our cohort showed no higher rate of nonrandom XI in peripheral blood leukocytes than the general female population. Furthermore, skewed XI patterns in favour of the mutated alleles were not associated with more severe phenotypes.ConclusionsWe found no evidence for preferential XI in female XLHED patients and no distinct correlation between XLHED-related phenotypic features and XI patterns. Phenotypic variability seems to be evoked by other genetic or epigenetic factors.
Highlights
X-chromosomal hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED; MIM #305100) is a rare combined malformation of ectodermal tissues such as hair, teeth, and sweat glands, resulting in hypotrichosis, hypo, oligo- or anodontia and hypo- or anhidrosis [1, 2]
56% of the affected women suffered from additional diseases, of which specific allergies, urticaria, neurodermatitis and eczema might be associated with their X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED) carrier status
We intended to find out whether variations in the expression of XLHED-related symptoms might be explained by deviating X-chromosome inactivation (XI) patterns as already reported for other X-linked diseases
Summary
X-chromosomal hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED; MIM #305100) is a rare combined malformation of ectodermal tissues such as hair, teeth, and sweat glands, resulting in hypotrichosis, hypo-, oligo- or anodontia and hypo- or anhidrosis [1, 2]. X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XLHED), a rare genetic disorder, affects the normal devel‐ opment of ectodermal derivatives, such as hair, skin, teeth, and sweat glands. It is caused by pathogenic variants of the gene EDA and defined by a triad of hypotrichosis, hypo- or anodontia, and hypo- or anhidrosis which may lead to life-threatening hyperthermia. This study aimed to elucidate whether phenotypic differences in female XLHED patients with identical EDA genotypes might be explained by deviating X-chromosome inactivation (XI) patterns
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