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  • ANK2 loss-of-function varia...
    Teunissen, Maria W A; Lewerissa, Elly; van Hugte, Eline J H; Wang, Shan; Ockeloen, Charlotte W; Koolen, David A; Pfundt, Rolph; Marcelis, Carlo L M; Brilstra, Eva; Howe, Jennifer L; Scherer, Stephen W; Le Guillou, Xavier; Bilan, Frédéric; Primiano, Michelle; Roohi, Jasmin; Piton, Amelie; de Saint Martin, Anne; Baer, Sarah; Seiffert, Simone; Platzer, Konrad; Jamra, Rami Abou; Syrbe, Steffen; Doering, Jan H; Lakhani, Shenela; Nangia, Srishti; Gilissen, Christian; Vermeulen, R Jeroen; Rouhl, Rob P W; Brunner, Han G; Willemsen, Marjolein H; Nadif Kasri, Nael

    Human molecular genetics, 07/2023, Volume: 32, Issue: 14
    Journal Article

    Abstract Purpose To characterize a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome due to loss-of-function (LoF) variants in Ankyrin 2 (ANK2), and to explore the effects on neuronal network dynamics and homeostatic plasticity in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. Methods We collected clinical and molecular data of 12 individuals with heterozygous de novo LoF variants in ANK2. We generated a heterozygous LoF allele of ANK2 using CRISPR/Cas9 in human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). HiPSCs were differentiated into excitatory neurons, and we measured their spontaneous electrophysiological responses using micro-electrode arrays (MEAs). We also characterized their somatodendritic morphology and axon initial segment (AIS) structure and plasticity. Results We found a broad neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), comprising intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders and early onset epilepsy. Using MEAs, we found that hiPSC-derived neurons with heterozygous LoF of ANK2 show a hyperactive and desynchronized neuronal network. ANK2-deficient neurons also showed increased somatodendritic structures and altered AIS structure of which its plasticity is impaired upon activity-dependent modulation. Conclusions Phenotypic characterization of patients with de novo ANK2 LoF variants defines a novel NDD with early onset epilepsy. Our functional in vitro data of ANK2-deficient human neurons show a specific neuronal phenotype in which reduced ANKB expression leads to hyperactive and desynchronized neuronal network activity, increased somatodendritic complexity and AIS structure and impaired activity-dependent plasticity of the AIS.