Preimplantation genetic diagnosis in two families at risk for recurrence of Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa

The Herlitz type of junctional epidermolysis bullosa (H-JEB) is a severe inherited bullous disease which leads to the early demise of the affected newborn. Mutations in the genes encoding the 3 polypeptides of the anchoring filament protein laminin 5 underlie this condition. We studied 2 families with affected children who previously died from I I-JEB. Mutation screening using heteroduplex analysis and direct sequencing of the PCR products revealed a previously described hotspot mutation in LAMB3 (R635X), and a novel delayed termination codon in LAMB3 in the first proband. In the second proband, we found a novel initiation codon mutation in LAMB3, and a novel 2 bp deletion in LAMB3. For preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in these families, we developed nested multiplex PCR assays, amplifying the mutations and informative intragenic polymorphisms in the probands. Single embryonic cells were biopsied from 8-cell embryos using standard techniques, and subjected to the multiplex PCR assay followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Embryos found not to carry either mutation were transferred to the mothers, and a pregnancy was established in the second family as evidenced by the elevated level of HCG, although the pregnancy did not persist. This study illustrates the feasibility of PGD for an inherited skin disorder for the first time.