Modifying Genes in Neurofibromatosis 1

Neurofibromatosis 1(NF1) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder with an incidence of one birth out of 3000. NF1 gene is located in 17q11.2. The penetrance is near 100% by the age of 8 and the de novo mutations represent half the cases. The product of NF1 gene is neurofibromin, a protein controlling cellular differentiation and proliferation. Phenotypic expression is variable even in the same family. Neurofibromatosis 1 is characterized by café au lait spots, freckling of the folds, Lisch'nodules (hamartomas of iris) and multiple neurofibromas. Manifestations of neurofibromatosis 1 are pleiotropic, potentially severe and unpredictable. Morbidity and mortality associated to neurofibromatosis 1 are linked with complications, optic pathway gliomas, neurofibromas of the spine or of peripheral nerves, learning disabilities, scoliosis and bone abnormalities and vasculopathy. The investigators already demonstrated the existence of modifiers, genes modifying the phenotypic expression of neurofibromatosis 1 (Hum Mol Genet. 2009;18(15):2768-78). Indeed, a quantitative analysis of inter and intrafamilial variability performed with the data of the investigators phenotype/genotype database showed a strong genetic component for most studied clinical traits with an estimated heritability from 44 and 45% for subcutaneous and plexiform neurofibromas, to 66% for small café au lait spots. The investigators also showed that the NF1 gene had minor effect in the phenotypic variability. The investigators results suggested the implication of genes non linked to NF1 gene. The identification of these variants called modifiers of the phenotype is possible thanks to the investigators vast collection of patients and its statistical power. The aim of the present study is to identify in the human genome genetic variants in the evolving pattern of the most frequent manifestation of neurofibromatosis 1, neurofibromas. The genetic association studies are the most adapted in that purpose. The investigators bank includes at the present time 1099 patients of 575 families with genotypes, phenotypes and DNA samples.

The investigators will include 450 index cases more to have around 1000 independent patients with neurofibromatosis 1 to get a 90% statistical power to detect variants of 30% frequency in the general population and having an effect of odds ratio of 2 for studied trait. The investigators will use Affymetrix® Genechips 6.0 covering well the whole genome.

Identification of the variants will provide new comprehension of pathophysiology and new targets for treatment.