title: Altered surfactant homeostasis and recurrent respiratory failure secondary to TTF-1 nuclear targeting defect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mutations of genes affecting surfactant homeostasis, such as SFTPB, SFTPC and ABCA3, lead to diffuse lung disease in neonates and children. Haploinsufficiency of NKX2.1, the gene encoding the thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1)--critical for lung, thyroid and central nervous system morphogenesis and function--causes a rare form of progressive respiratory failure designated brain-lung-thyroid syndrome. Molecular mechanisms involved in this syndrome are heterogeneous and poorly explored. We report a novel TTF-1 molecular defect causing recurrent respiratory failure episodes in an infant.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subject was an infant with severe neonatal respiratory distress syndrome followed by recurrent respiratory failure episodes, hypopituitarism and neurological abnormalities. Lung histology and ultrastructure were assessed by surgical biopsy. Surfactant-related genes were studied by direct genomic DNA sequencing and array chromatine genomic hybridization (aCGH). Surfactant protein expression in lung tissue was analyzed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. For kinetics studies, surfactant protein B and disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) were isolated from serial tracheal aspirates after intravenous administration of stable isotope-labeled (2)H(2)O and (13)C-leucine; fractional synthetic rate was derived from gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (2)H and (13)C enrichment curves. Six intubated infants with no primary lung disease were used as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lung biopsy showed desquamative interstitial pneumonitis and lamellar body abnormalities suggestive of genetic surfactant deficiency. Genetic studies identified a heterozygous ABCA3 mutation, L941P, previously unreported. No SFTPB, SFTPC or NKX2.1 mutations or deletions were found. However, immunofluorescence studies showed TTF-1 prevalently expressed in type II cell cytoplasm instead of nucleus, indicating defective nuclear targeting. This pattern has not been reported in human and was not found in two healthy controls and in five ABCA3 mutation carriers. Kinetic studies demonstrated a marked reduction of SP-B synthesis (43.2 vs. 76.5 ± 24.8%/day); conversely, DSPC synthesis was higher (12.4 vs. 6.3 ± 0.5%/day) compared to controls, although there was a marked reduction of DSPC content in tracheal aspirates (29.8 vs. 56.1 ± 12.4% of total phospholipid content).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Defective TTF-1 signaling may result in profound surfactant homeostasis disruption and neonatal/pediatric diffuse lung disease. Heterozygous ABCA3 missense mutations may act as disease modifiers in other genetic surfactant defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Neonatology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peca
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petrini
authors.forename: Chryssoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tzialla
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boldrini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morini
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stronati
authors.forename: Virgilio P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Carnielli
authors.forename: Paola E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Cogo
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Danhaive
mesh_terms: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012008:Recurrence; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014157:Transcription Factors
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; C504003:TTF1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors