NLRP7 and the genetics of post-molar choriocarcinomas in Senegal.

Gestational choriocarcinomas are malignant tumors of trophoblastic cells that affect 5-25% of women with sporadic hydatidiform moles (HMs) depending on countries and studies. Nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 7 (NLRP7) is a major gene responsible for recurrent HMs and recently mutations in this gene have also been shown in 13% of women with sporadic, non-recurrent  moles. To investigate the role of NLRP7 in the genetic susceptibility for the malignant degeneration of moles, we sequenced its 11 exons in 43 Senegalese patients with post-molar choriocarcinomas.

NLRP7 in the spectrum of reproductive wastage: rare non-synonymous variants confer genetic susceptibility to recurrent reproductive wastage.

Background: NLRP7 mutations are responsible for recurrent molar pregnancies and associated reproductive wastage. To investigate the role of NLRP7 in sporadic moles and other forms of reproductive wastage, the authors sequenced this gene in a cohort of 135 patients with at least one hydatidiform mole or three spontaneous abortions; 115 of these were new patients.

Methods/results: All mutations were reviewed and their number, nature and locations correlated with the reproductive outcomes of the patients and histopathology of their products of conception.

The genetics of recurrent hydatidiform moles in China: correlations between NLRP7 mutations, molar genotypes and reproductive outcomes.

Hydatidiform mole (HM) is a human pregnancy with abnormal embryonic development. NLRP7 is a major autosomal recessive gene responsible for recurrent molar pregnancies and associated reproductive wastage in patients from several populations. Here, we report NLRP7 mutation analysis in 35 unrelated Chinese patients with recurrent reproductive wastage, including at least one HM.

NLRP7 mutations in women with diploid androgenetic and triploid moles: a proposed mechanism for mole formation.

Hydatidiform mole is an aberrant pregnancy with abnormal embryonic development and hydropic placental villi. Common moles are sporadic, not recurrent and affect one in every 1500 pregnancies in Western societies. Approximately, half of common moles are complete and mostly diploid androgenetic, whereas the remaining are partial and mostly triploid diandric.