A novel hereditary developmental vitreoretinopathy with multiple ocular abnormalities localizing to a 5-cM region of chromosome 5q13-q14

Abstract

Background: To undertake a clinical and molecular analysis of a previously unpublished kindred with a phenotypically distinct vitreoretinopathy characterized by associated ocular developmental abnormalities.

Design: Family genetic study.

Participants: A total of 23 members, both affected and unaffected, of 1 kindred with vitreoretinopathy.

Method: Individuals within the kindred were examined clinically and blood samples taken for DNA analysis. Genetic analysis was performed for the proximal region of chromosome 5q by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Main outcome measures: Detection of vitreoretinopathy and associated abnormalities.

Results: This novel, hereditary vitreoretinopathy, showing the classic features of vitreous pathology and early-onset retinal detachments, was associated with a variety of ocular developmental abnormalities, including posterior embryotoxon, congenital glaucoma, iris hypoplasia, congenital cataract, ectopia lentis, microphthalmia, and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. There were no associated systemic features. Genetic mapping with markers from the proximal region of 5q13-q14 showed linkage to a 5-cM region between the markers D5S626 and D5S2103.

Conclusions: The 5-cM region is within that implicated in the etiology of both Wagner and erosive vitreoretinopathies. This suggests that this novel condition may be allelic, refines the genetic mapping for vitreoretinopathies that map to 5q13-q14, and implicates a gene important not only in vitreous production but also in early ocular development.