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Article

Negative Molecular Diagnostics in Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss: What Next?

1
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
2
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
3
Center of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp, Prins Boudewijnlaan 43, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium
4
Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Submission received: 30 November 2022 / Revised: 23 December 2022 / Accepted: 26 December 2022 / Published: 29 December 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics of Ear Development and Hearing Loss)

Abstract

:
Congenital hearing loss has an impact on almost every facet of life. In more than 50% of cases, a genetic cause can be identified. Currently, extensive genetic testing is available, although the etiology of some patients with obvious familial hearing loss remains unknown. We selected a cohort of mutation-negative patients to optimize the diagnostic yield for genetic hearing impairment. In this retrospective study, 21 patients (17 families) with negative molecular diagnostics for non-syndromic hearing loss (gene panel analysis) were included based on a positive family history with a similar type of hearing loss. Additional genetic testing was performed using a whole exome sequencing panel (WESHL panel v2.0) in four families with the strongest likelihood of genetic hearing impairment. In this cohort (n = 21), the severity of hearing loss was most commonly moderate (52%). Additional genetic testing revealed pathogenic copy number variants in the STRC gene in two families. In summary, regular re-evaluation of hearing loss patients with presumably genetic etiology after negative molecular diagnostics is recommended, as we might miss newly discovered deafness genes. The switch from gene panel analysis to whole exome sequencing or whole genome sequencing for the testing of congenital hearing loss seems promising.

1. Introduction

Hearing impairment is one of the most common sensory defects in children [1]. Based on neonatal hearing screening programs, permanent bilateral hearing loss is encountered in approximately 1.33 per 1000 live births [1,2,3]. Screening for congenital hearing loss should ideally be performed according to the 1-2-3 goal to limit developmental delay. This entails screening being completed by one month of age, whereas audiologic diagnosis should be completed by two months of age, and early intervention should not be initiated any later than three months of age [4].
The etiology of hearing loss is diverse. A genetic cause is presumed or identified in more than 50% of cases. About 25% of cases of congenital hearing loss are acquired, and less than 25% are idiopathic [5]. Although the hearing impairment of the majority of newborns with congenital hearing loss has a genetic etiology, 95% of them have hearing parents. Genetic cases can either be syndromic or non-syndromic. Hearing loss is syndromic when, apart from the hearing impairment, other clinical abnormalities are present, which is the case in 30% of patients. The other 70% of cases concern isolated deafness and are called non-syndromic hearing loss [6,7]. Acquired causes can be infectious or non-infectious, with congenital cytomegalovirus and rubella infections being the most prevalent, the latter of which are in a downward trend thanks to rubella vaccination programs [8,9,10]. Establishing an etiologic diagnosis of hearing loss is important, as it increases the degree of psychological well-being in patients and allows the physician to provide accurate information regarding recurrence risk, evolution and possible comorbidities. It also allows a better prediction of possible progression of the patient’s hearing loss [1,11].
The therapeutic options for hearing loss include conventional hearing aids, cochlear implants, and adapted educational needs. Conventional hearing aids are successfully used in most patients with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss. However, for patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, a cochlear implant is usually preferred [3]. Finding the etiology of hearing loss can aid in choosing the most appropriate management options, as it usually results in a better understanding of the underlying physiopathology and the concomitant anatomical localization. This is especially important in the outcome of cochlear implants, as these bypass the membranous labyrinth but require a well-functioning auditory nerve and central auditory pathway to have good results. Mutations in genes preferentially expressed in the latter structures might thus be related to worse scores of cochlear implant performance than mutations preferentially expressed in the membranous labyrinth [12,13].
Given the prevalence of genetic hearing loss, molecular testing in an early stage is recommended. Technologic innovations in genetic research have expanded our knowledge on genetic hearing loss tremendously during the past decades. Where in early years single genes were tested sequentially, in present times a syndromic and/or non-syndromic test panel is widely implemented, whether or not it is preceded by GJB2/GJB6 screening. Gene panels are regularly updated based on recent knowledge, and a transition from custom targeted panel testing to exome sequencing with a virtual panel has been introduced recently. Unfortunately, even after a comprehensive etiological work-up, the cause of hearing loss is not discovered in a considerable proportion of patients [5].
This article aimed to describe a cohort with negative molecular diagnostics for non-syndromic hearing loss with a strong likelihood of a genetic cause based on an obvious familial history for the same type of hearing loss. Furthermore, for some of those patients, we aimed to explain why no etiological diagnosis was found, and proved our hypotheses by additional genetic analyses. In addition, the management and future possibilities for genetic testing of patients with negative molecular diagnostics for non-syndromic hearing loss will be discussed.

2. Materials and Methods

A combination of a retrospective study and literature study was performed. Additional testing with an updated gene panel was performed in some patients after approval of the respective families. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.

2.1. Inclusion of Patients

Patients included in this article (n = 21) have been selected from the database of the otogenetics consultation of the otorhinolaryngology department of Ghent University Hospital, Belgium. Patients in whom no pathogenic mutation had been identified by a previous molecular analysis (gene panel analysis) were selected by a group of otorhinolaryngologists and geneticists of Ghent University Hospital based on a very high likelihood of having a genetic cause for their hearing loss. This likelihood was mainly based on an obvious familial history for the same type of hearing loss. Patients with arguments for a non-genetic cause of hearing loss (TORCHes infections, perinatal and postnatal risk factors) were excluded.
Based on the highest suspicion of genetic hearing loss and on their audiograms, which showed moderate to moderately severe hearing loss, eight patients of four families were contacted for additional genetic testing (whole exome sequencing), of whom seven agreed.

2.2. Mutation Analysis

All of the 21 included patients underwent genetic testing using the targeted gene panel for non-syndromic hearing loss at the Center for Medical Genetics, Antwerp, Belgium. In earlier years, this test was preceded by the exclusion of mutations in the GJB2/GJB6 genes using Sanger sequencing by the Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Belgium. A gene panel analysis was performed by SBS sequencing technology (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) after Haloplex enrichment of a gene panel of genes causing hearing loss. Different versions of the non-syndromic deafness gene panel (DOOF_v5_NS—DOOF_v11_NS, ranging from 87 to 115 genes) have been used as panel testing for those patients in the past. The retrieved variants were reported based on five classes depending on their likelihood to be pathogenic according to the recommendations of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) [14]. All patients were counselled during an otogenetic consultation.
Of the included patients, seven underwent whole exome sequencing conducted via SBS sequencing technology (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) after enrichment with the Twist Human Core Exome kit with additional human RefSeq transcripts and the mitochondrial genome (Twist Bioscience, South San Francisco, CA, USA). The 146 genes included in the WESHL panel v2.0 were analyzed for variants with JSI SeqPilot software v5.3.3 (Ettenheim, Germany) (Table A1). In addition, exome-wide HPO based filtering using MOON software (Diploid/Invitae, San Fransisco, USA) was performed. Variants in the STRC gene were confirmed via STRC-specific long-range PCR followed by a sequence analysis of the relevant STRC coding exons. Analysis for STRC copy number variants was performed using sequencing data and copy number loss was confirmed by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis with the P461-A1kit (MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands).
Sequence data were analyzed with SeqNext analysis software (JSI Medical Systems, Ettenheim, Germany) against the Hg19 exome build reference sequence. For all individual genes a minimal 30× coverage was obtained for more than 95% of the coding sequences, and for the total gene panel a minimal 30× coverage was obtained for more than 98% of the coding sequences. A minimal minor allele frequency threshold of 15% was used for variant detection.

2.3. Database Preparation and Statistical Analysis

After the selection of patients, a database was created in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA). This database included general information about the patients (age, sex), data on the type and etiology of hearing loss, severity, onset, type, symmetry and audiometric configuration of hearing loss, familial history of hearing loss, cytomegalovirus infection status, and results of molecular testing with the non-syndromic deafness gene panel of the Center for Medical Genetics Antwerp (DOOF_v5_NS—DOOF_V11_NS).
These data were obtained from the electronic health record of the patients. Severity of hearing loss was classified into six categories ((slight (16–25 decibel hearing level (dB)), mild (26–40 dB), moderate (41–55 dB), moderately severe (56–70 dB), severe (71–90 dB) or profound (≥90 dB)) [12]. For asymmetric hearing loss, the severity was classified based on the amount of hearing loss of the worst hearing ear. Figures were created using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA (USA)), Microsoft Visio (Microsoft, Redmond, WA (USA)), and BioRender.com (BioRender, Toronto, ON, Canada).

2.4. Literature Study

Different databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Web of Science) were used to find relevant publications. The reference list of the most important publications was used to search for essential missing publications. EndNote 20 (Clarivate, London, UK) was used as the citation manager.

3. Results

3.1. Study Population

The selected study population included 21 patients, of whom 16 were male and 5 were female. Their ages at inclusion ranged between 4 and 13 years old, with the majority born between 2015 and 2018 (15 patients). All included patients had bilateral hearing loss. Fifteen of them had symmetrical hearing loss, whereas six had asymmetrical hearing loss. The hearing loss severity of the included patients can be found in Figure 1. The majority of patients demonstrate moderate hearing loss, followed by moderately severe hearing loss.
The targeted gene panel for non-syndromic hearing loss, performed in all patients, resulted in a total of 65 variants in 39 different genes (Table 1 and Table A2). Nine of these variants have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, 47 have an autosomal recessive pattern, and nine variants are situated in genes with both autosomal dominant and recessive patterns of inheritance. However, all patients inherited the sequence variants found after genetic analysis heterozygously. In addition, all but two of these variants were classified as class 3. The other two variants were classified as class 4 and 5 variants, but as they were detected in combination with a class 3 variant, they did not (yet) explain the hearing loss. The gene panels used for each patient can be found in Table A2.

3.2. Additional Genetic Testing

Eight patients out of four families were selected for additional genetic testing based on the strongest familial history for the same type of hearing loss. Seven of them agreed to perform additional testing. The pedigrees of the four families are depicted in Figure 2, whereas Table 2 shows the results of the additional whole exome sequencing-based panel testing performed in these seven patients.

4. Discussion

In this study, patients with presumable hereditary hearing loss and negative molecular testing in the past have been investigated. We found most patients exhibiting moderate and moderately severe hearing loss (71%). Patients with profound hearing loss seem underrepresented compared with the general distribution of congenital hearing loss severity. In general, in more severe forms of hearing impairment the cause is more frequently found than in milder degrees of hearing loss [13]. This suggests that a higher severity of hearing loss is a positive predictor for identifying an underlying etiology. However, we should be careful with the hypothesis of patients with more moderate hearing loss being less likely to have genetic hearing loss. A more obvious explanation is that genes resulting in moderate hearing loss still need to be discovered.
Asymmetric hearing loss was present in 24% of our cohort. Sloan-Heggen et al. [15] reported that making an etiological diagnosis in patients with asymmetrical hearing loss is less frequent compared to patients with symmetrical hearing loss. However, the likelihood of a causative molecular defect is still higher for asymmetrical hearing loss compared to unilateral hearing loss.
Genetic variants were found in more than 40 different genes in the patients of the study cohort. To date, more than 120 genes are identified as causing non-syndromic hearing loss [16]. Custom targeted gene panels are modified according to the latest knowledge, but some of the included patients were tested years ago and were consequently not tested for all deafness genes known today. The gene panels used for each patient can be found in Table A1.
Of the included patients, 52% presented with moderate sensorineural hearing loss. The STRC gene has been shown to be the most commonly mutated gene in patients with this type of hearing impairment. STRC causes hearing loss in an autosomal recessive manner [15,17]. The STRC gene sequence data are difficult to interpret due to the existence of an almost identical pseudogene pSTRC [18]. The STRC gene was only recently (March 2020) added to the non-syndromic hearing loss panel used in the center for Medical Genetics in Antwerp. Based on a strong family history of hearing loss and the audiograms showing moderate to moderately severe hearing loss, a subset of patients with no molecular diagnosis was recontacted to perform an updated deafness gene panel containing the most recent deafness genes. More specifically, eight patients of four different families were recontacted, of whom seven agreed to participate. The main goal was to identify the molecular causes of hearing loss in additional deafness genes, and in particular in the recently added STRC gene. In half of the families (four out of seven patients), STRC pathogenic variants were found, some in cis with a CATSPER2 deletion. The latter is a gene accounting for sperm motility. Deletions in this gene often go hand in hand with deletions in the STRC gene [19]. This genotype causes deafness-infertility syndrome (DIS), which is characterized by early-onset hearing loss in both male and female patients. In addition, the affected male patients are infertile. This is important in counseling the patients and their parents [19,20].
In addition to the detected disease-causing variants, we observed variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in several deafness genes. Variants in the CDH23, MYO15A and PTPRQ genes were mainly detected. Given the existence of digenic inheritance, it does not imply that a heterozygous variant in an autosomal recessive deafness gene is not involved in hearing loss. True digenic inheritance occurs when two non-allelic mutations on two separate genes are necessary and sufficient to cause disease [21]. Digenic inheritance of variants in the CDH23 and ATP2B2 genes and of variants in the SLC26A4 gene and FOXI10 or KCNJ10 genes has been suggested [22,23,24]. However, a study of Landa et al. could not prove the latter [25]. In general, the evidence for digenic inheritance for hearing loss is still weak [11], and this mechanism was only suggested for combinations of genes not present in our study population.
With these results in mind, we see several opportunities to improve the diagnostic yield for genetic hearing impairment. Different genetic testing strategies can be used to detect genetic alterations that can cause hearing loss. Currently, next generation sequencing custom targeted gene panel testing is the gold standard for the genetic analysis of hearing loss in most centers. There are other ways to establish an etiological diagnosis, however. Three commonly used testing strategies (custom targeted next-generation sequencing panel-based testing, whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing) all have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we summarized in Table 3 [26,27,28,29,30,31]. Partly based on these evolutions, we recommend re-evaluating patients with unidentified hearing loss on a regular basis, in addition to the more frequent audiological follow-up. In this way, recent knowledge about novel deafness genes, modified variant calling and eventual digenic inheritance can be considered.
Initially, custom targeted gene panel testing was performed in this study population (n = 21). One of the largest disadvantages of this testing strategy is that only known deafness genes are included and that it is very static, as it is not easy to change these panels. A transition towards exome or even genome sequencing is becoming the gold standard. Exome sequencing with the use of virtual panels to restrict the analysis to specific genes related to a specific disorder using bioinformatic filtering is an increasingly favored approach for genetic testing. This technique has several advantages compared to the targeted approach. First, there is less chance of secondary findings compared to exome or genome sequencing without a virtual panel, thanks to the fact that only a panel of genes associated with hearing loss is analyzed. It also leads to less detection of variants with uncertain significance, which are often difficult to interpret and can cause uncertainty for both patients and clinicians. The technique is very flexible because genes can easily be added to and removed from the panel when new genetic knowledge becomes available. Even a retrospective analysis of novel deafness genes is possible without new blood sampling, again stressing the importance of the regular re-evaluation of patients [26,28,29,32].
Genetic variants are mostly classified into five classes based on the criteria of the ACMG-AMP [14]. In recent years, next-generation sequencing has enabled the performance of genetic tests on a large scale, providing ample genomic data. In addition to population data, computational and functional tools evolve, making more accurate variant classification possible [33,34,35]. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been performed to establish the reclassification rate in a population of patients who underwent genetic testing due to hearing loss. Such a study can be useful to establish whether variant reclassification is common for hearing loss.
This study has a few limitations. First, the study population only included 21 patients. In addition, the study is retrospective in design. There is also a selection bias because patients were not randomly selected, but were selected by an expert committee to be the most likely having genetic hearing loss. Minor information bias is also possible as the database is based on the patients’ electronic health records and different caregivers sometimes have a different way of interpreting clinical information.

5. Conclusions

In summary, clinical and audiometric re-evaluation combined with updated genetic testing can be successful in establishing an etiological diagnosis in some cases without a molecular diagnosis at first. The implementation of whole exome or whole genome sequencing with a virtual panel as the gold standard for genetic testing in hearing loss should be considered, instead of custom targeted gene panel testing. STRC seems to be a prevalent cause of hearing loss. In patients with previous negative molecular diagnostics for non-syndromic, mild to moderately severe hearing loss, the STRC gene should be analysed in case it was not performed in the past.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, F.A. and E.D.L.; methodology, all authors; software, T.C., L.M., W.W. and K.V.S.; formal analysis, T.C., L.M., W.W. and K.V.S.; investigation, all authors; clinical data curation, F.A. and E.D.L.; molecular data curation, W.W., K.V.S., P.C. and S.J.; writing—original draft preparation, T.C. and L.M.; writing—review and editing, F.A., W.W., K.V.S., P.C., S.J. and E.D.L.; visualization, T.C. and L.M.; supervision, F.A., P.C., S.J. and E.D.L.; project administration, E.D.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Institutional Review Board (or Ethics Committee) of Ghent University Hospital, Belgium (protocol code BC-08506, 21/12/2020).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all participating families involved in the study.

Data Availability Statement

All included data can be provided upon simple request.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participating families.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Appendix A

Table A1. Genes included in the exome sequencing analysis, together with their mode of inheritance and reference sequence (AD = autosomal dominant, AR = autosomal recessive).
Table A1. Genes included in the exome sequencing analysis, together with their mode of inheritance and reference sequence (AD = autosomal dominant, AR = autosomal recessive).
GeneMode of InheritanceReference Sequence (GenBank)Reference Sequence (Ensembl)
ACTG1ADNM_001199954.2ENST00000331925
ADCY1ARNM_021116.4ENST00000292723
ADGRV1ARNM_032119.4ENST00000405460
ATP6V0A4ARNM_020632.3ENST00000310018
ATP6V1B1ARNM_001692.4ENST00000234396
BSNDARNM_057176.3ENST00000371265
CABP2ARNM_016366.3ENST00000294288
CACNA1DARNM_00720.4ENST00000288139
CCDC50ADNM_178335.3ENST00000392456
CD164ADNM_006016.6ENST00000310786
CDC14AARNM_033312.2ENST00000361544
CDH23ARNM_022124.6ENST00000224721
CEACAM16AD, ARNM_001039213.4ENST00000405314
CHD7ADNM_017780.4ENST00000423902
CIB2ARNM_006383.4ENST00000258930
CISD2ARNM_001008388.5ENST00000273986
CLDN14ARNM_144492.3ENST00000399137
CLIC5ARNM_001114086.2ENST00000339561
CLPPARNM_006012.4ENST00000245816
CLRN1ARNM_174878.3ENST00000327047
COCHAD, ARNM_004086.3ENST00000396618
COL11A1ADNM_080629.2ENST00000370096
COL11A2AD, ARNM_080680.3ENST00000341947
COL2A1ADNM_001844.5ENST00000380518
COL4A3AD, ARNM_000091.5ENST00000396578
COL4A4AD, ARNM_000092.4ENST00000396625
COL4A5X-linkedNM_033380.3ENST00000328300
COL9A1ARNM_001851.5ENST00000357250
COL9A2ARNM_001852.4ENST00000372748
COL9A3ARNM_001853.4ENST00000343916
DCDC2ARNM_016356.5ENST00000378454
DIABLOADNM_019887.6ENST00000443649
DIAPH1ADNM_005219.5ENST00000398557
DMXL2ADNM_001174116.2ENST00000543779
EDN3AD, ARNM_207034.3ENST00000337938
EDNRBAD, ARNM_001201397.1ENST00000377211
ELMOD3ARNM_001329793.2ENST00000315658
EPS8ARNM_004447.6ENST00000281172
EPS8L2ARNM_022772.4ENST00000318562
ERAL1ARNM_005702.4ENST00000254928
ESRP1ARNM_017697.4ENST00000433389
ESRRBARNM_004452.3ENST00000380887
EYA1ADNM_000503.6ENST00000340726
EYA4ADNM_004100.5ENST00000367895
FOXI1ARNM_012188.5ENST00000306268
GIPC3ARNM_133261.3ENST00000322315
GJB2AD, ARNM_004004.6ENST00000382848
GJB3AD, ARNM_024009.3ENST00000373366
GPSM2ARNM_013296.5ENST00000406462
GRHL2ADNM_024915.3ENST00000251808
GRXCR1ARNM_001080476.2ENST00000399770
GRXCR2ARNM_001080516.1ENST00000377976
GSDMEADNM_004403.3ENST00000342947
HARS1ARNM_002109.6ENST00000504156
HARS2ARNM_012208.4ENST00000230771
HECTD3ARNM_024602.6ENST00000372172
HGFARNM_000601.6ENST00000222390
HOMER2ADNM_199330.3ENST00000304231
HSD17B4ARNM_170743.4ENST00000504811
IFNLR1ADNM_001199291.3ENST00000327535
ILDR1ARNM_001199799.1ENST00000344209
KARS1ARNM_001130089.1ENST00000319410
KCNE1ARNM_000219.6ENST00000337385
KCNJ10ARNM_002241.5ENST00000368089
KCNQ1ARNM_000218.3ENST00000155840
KCNQ4ADNM_004700.4ENST00000347132
KITLGAD, ARNM_000899.5ENST00000228280
LARS2ARNM_015340.4ENST00000415258
LHFPL5ARNM_182548.4ENST00000360215
LOXHD1ARNM_144612.6ENST00000536736
LRTOMTARNM_001145309.3ENST00000435085
MARVELD2ARNM_001038603.3ENST00000325631
MCM2ADNM_004526.4ENST00000265056
MIR96ADNR_029512ENST00000362288
MITFADNM_198159.3ENST00000352241
MPZL2ARNM_005797.4ENST00000278937
MSRB3ARNM_198080.4ENST00000355192
MTAPARNM_002451.4ENST00000380172
MT-RNR1MitochondrialNC_012920ENST00000389680
MT-TL1MitochondrialNC_012920ENST00000386347
MT-TS1MitochondrialNC_012920ENST00000387416
MYH14ADNM_001145809.2ENST00000601313
MYH9ADNM_002473.5ENST00000216181
MYO15AARNM_016239.4ENST00000205890
MYO3AAD, ARNM_017433.5ENST00000265944
MYO6AD, ARNM_004999.4ENST00000369981
MYO7AAD, ARNM_000260.4ENST00000409709
NARS2ARNM_024678.6ENST00000281038
NDPX-linkedNM_000266.4ENST00000378062
NLRP3ADNM_004895.4ENST00000336119
OSBPL2ADNM_144498.3ENST00000313733
OTOAARNM_144672.3ENST00000388958
OTOFARNM_194248.3ENST00000272371
OTOGARNM_001277269.2ENST00000399391
OTOGLARNM_173591.3ENST00000458043
P2RX2ADNM_170683.4ENST00000343948
PAX3AD, ARNM_181457.4ENST00000350526
PCDH15ARNM_033056.4ENST00000320301
PDE1CADNM_001191058.4ENST00000396193
PDZD7ARNM_001195263.2ENST00000619208
PJVKARNM_001042702.4ENST00000409117
PNPT1ARNM_033109.5ENST00000447944
POLR1CARNM_203290.4ENST00000372389
POLR1DARNM_015972.4ENST00000399696
POU3F4X-linkedNM_000307.5ENST00000373200
POU4F3ADNM_002700.3ENST00000230732
PPIP5K2ARNM_001276277.3ENST00000358359
PRPS1X-linkedNM_002764.4ENST00000372435
PTPRQAD, ARENST00000614701ENST00000266688
RDXARNM_001260492.1ENST00000405097
RIPOR2AD, ARNM_014722.5ENST00000259698
S1PR2ARNM_004230.4ENST00000590320
SEMA3EADNM_012431.3ENST00000307792
SERPINB6ARNM_004568.5ENST00000335686
SIX1ADNM_005982.4ENST00000247182
SIX5ADNM_175875.5ENST00000317578
SLC17A8ADNM_139319.3ENST00000323346
SLC22A4ARNM_003059.3ENST00000200652
SLC26A4ARNM_000441.2ENST00000265715
SLC7A8AD, ARNM_012244.4ENST00000316902
SLITRK6ARNM_032229.3ENST00000647374
SMPXX-linkedNM_014332.3ENST00000379494
SNAI2ARNM_003068.5ENST00000396822
SOX10ADNM_006941.4ENST00000396884
SSBP1ARNM_003143.3ENST00000481508
SYNE4ARNM_001039876.3ENST00000324444
TBC1D24AD, ARNM_001199107.2ENST00000293970
TCOF1ADNM_001135243.1ENST00000377797
TECTAAD, ARNM_005422.2ENST00000392793
TMC1AD, ARNM_138691.2ENST00000297784
TMEM132EARNM_001304438.2ENST00000631683
TMIEARNM_147196.2ENST00000326431
TMPRSS3ARNM_024022.3ENST00000291532
TNCADNM_002160.4ENST00000350763
TPRNARNM_001128228.3ENST00000409012
TRIOBPARNM_001039141.3ENST00000406386
TSPEARARNM_144991.3ENST00000323084
TWNKAD, ARNM_021830.5ENST00000311916
USH1CARNM_153676.4ENST00000005226
USH1GARNM_173477.5ENST00000319642
USH2AARNM_206933.3ENST00000307340
WBP2ARNM_012478.4ENST00000254806
WDR92ADNM_138458.4ENST00000295121
WFS1AD, ARNM_006005.3ENST00000226760
WHRNARNM_015404.4ENST00000362057
Table A2. Phenotypic and genotypic data of the included patients (AD = autosomal dominant, AR = autosomal recessive, F = female, M = male).
Table A2. Phenotypic and genotypic data of the included patients (AD = autosomal dominant, AR = autosomal recessive, F = female, M = male).
PatientIncluded Family MembersSexYear of BirthSeverity of
Hearing Loss
Genetic Variants Found
(All Heterozygous Variants)
Genetic Variants (Protein Level)Used PanelDeafness Gene Mode of Inheritance
1Family 1M2011Moderately severeMYO15A c.3203G > T (class 3)
OTOF c.4463A > T (class 3)
CDH23 c.2263 C > T (class 3)
DMXL2 c.4937G > A (class 3)
p.(Cys1068Phe)
p.(Asp1488Val)
p.(His755Tyr)
p.(Arg1646Gln)
DOOF_v5_NS
DOOF_v5_NS
DOOF_v5_NS
WESHL panel v2.0
AR
AR
AR
AD
2Family 2, patient 3 = dizygotic twinM2015ModerateGRXCR2 c.182T > C (class 3)
PTPRQ c.3304C > T (class 3)
p.(Met61Thr)
p.(Pro1102Ser)
DOOF_v6.2_NS
DOOF_v6.2_NS
AR
AR
3Family 2, patient 2 = dizygotic twinM2015ModeratePTPRQ c.3304C > T (class 3)
TBC1D24 c.169C > T (class 3)
TSPEAR c.415G > A (class 3)
p.(Pro1102Ser)
p.(Arg57Cys)
p.(Gly139Ser)
DOOF_v6.2_NS
DOOF_v6.2_NS
DOOF_v6.2_NS
AR
AR
AR
4Family 3, patient 5 = monozygotic twin, patient 6 = sibling M2016ModerateOTOGL c.3400A > G (class 3)
TBC1D24 c.601G > A (class 3)
p.(Ile1134Val)
p.(Val201Met)
DOOF_v7_NSAR
AD/AR
5Family 3, patient 4 = monozygotic twin, patient 6 = sibling M2016ModerateOTOGL c.3400A > G (class 3)
TBC1D24 c.601 G > A (class 3)
p.(Ile1134Val)
p.(Val201Met)
DOOF_v7_NSAR
AD/AR
6Family 3, patient 4 and 5 = siblingsM2014ModerateOTOGL c.3400A > G (class 3)p.(Ile1134Val)
DOOF_v7.1_NSAR
7Family 4, patient 8 = siblingM2010Moderately severeGIPC3 c.226-1G > T (class 4)
OTOF c.4981G > A (class 3)
PTPRQ c.6617G > T (class 3)
SLC17A8 c.1645G > A (class 3)
GIPC3 c.226-1G > T (class 5)

p.(Glu1661Lys)
p.(Arg2206Ile)
p.(Gly549Arg)
DOOF_v8_NS
DOOF_v8_NS
DOOF_v8_NS
DOOF_v8_NS
WESHL panel v2.0
AR
AR
AR
AD
AR
8Family 4, patient 7 = siblingM2013ModerateBDP1 c.3364G > A (class 3)
PTPRQ c.5867A > C (class 3)
p.(Gly1122Arg)
p.(Gln1956Pro)
DOOF_v8_NS
DOOF_v8_NS
AR
AR
9/F2017ModerateSLC26A4 c.1334T > G (class 5)
SLC26A4 c.2234C>T (class 3)
LOXHD1c.5616C>A (class 3)
MYO15A c.9493C>T (class 3)
TECTA c.2725C > T (class 3)
THRAP3 c.2689C > T (class 3)
p.(Leu445Trp)
p.(Thr745Met)
p.(Asn1872Lys)
p.(Arg3165Trp)
p.(Arg909Cys)
p.(Arg897Trp)
DOOF_v9_NSAR
AR
AR
AR
AD/AR
AR
10/F2015ModerateATP6V0A4 c.2035G > T (class 3)
COL2A1 c.4349T > C (class 3)
CDH23 c.9569C > T (class 3)
MYO7A c.5866G > A (class 3)
p.(Asp679Tyr)
p.(Ile1450Thr)
p.(Ala3190Val)
p.(Val1956Ile)
DOOF_v7_SYNAR
AD
AR
AD/AR
11/M2016ProfoundCDH23 c. 7552G > A (class 3)
COCH c.644T > C (class 3)
MYO15A c.9754A > G (class 3)
p.(Val2518Met)
p.(Ile215Thr)
p.(Asn3252Asp)
DOOF_v8.1_NSAR
AD
AR
12/F2011ProfoundADCY1 c.1750G > T (class 3)
PJVK c.839A > C (class 3)
OTOA c.2654A > G (class 3)
TRIOBP c.6736G > A (class 3)
p.(Asp584Tyr)
p.(Lys280Thr)
p.(His885Arg)
p.(Glu2246Lys)
DOOF_v4_NSAR
AR
AR
AR
13/M2017ModerateCOCH c.1075_1076delinsCT (class 3)
RIPOR2 c.2683G > A (class 3)
WFS1 c.1124G > A (class 3)
p.(Ser359Leu)
p.(Gly895Ser)
p.(Arg375His)
DOOF_v11_NSAD/AR
AR
AD/AR
14/M2015ModerateMYO1A c.277C > T (class 3)
CLIC5 c.991C > T (class 3)
TRIOBP c.3232C > T (class 3)
p.(Arg93Ter)
p.(Arg331Trp)
p.(Arg1078Cys)
DOOF_v6_NSAD
AR
AR
15/F2018Moderately severeCOL11A2 c.4266G > A (class 3)
MTAP c.-5C > G (class 3)
MYH14 c.2424G > A (class 3)
MYO15A c.4497G > T (class 3)
MYO3A c.1559C > T (class 3)
p.(Pro1422Pro)
p.(Met808Ile)
p.(Gly1499Asp)
p.(Ala520Val)
DOOF_v11_NSAD/AR
AR
AD
AR
AR
16/M2016ModerateMYO15A c.1111C > A (class 3)p.(Pro371Thr)DOOF_v7_NSAR
17/M2018MildLRTOMT c.491G > A (class 3)
TECTA c.4720A > G (class 3)
TRIOBP c.2776C > T (class 3)
USH2A c.13709G > A (class 3)
p.(Arg164Gln)
p.(Ile1574Val)
p.(Arg926Cys)
p.(Arg4570His)
DOOF_v10_NSAR
AD/AR
AR
AR
18/F2009MildNo variants found after panel testing DOOF_v6.2-NS
19/M2017 CDH23 c.2341G > A (class 3)
MYH9 c.5234C > T (class 3)
p.(Ala781Thr)
p.(Thr1745Met)
DOOF_V8_NSAR
AD
20/M2017ProfoundGSDME c.693G > C (class 3)
DMXL2 c.4138G > A (class 3)
OTOF c.152C > T (class 3)
RDX c.1696C > T (class 3)
p.(Gnl231His)
p.(Ala1380Thr)
p.(Pro51Leu)
p.(Arg566Ter)
DOOF_v11_NSAD
AD
AR
AR
21/M2015Moderately severeBDP1 c.566_567dupTC (class 5)
CDH23 c.2192C > T (class 3)
GIPC3 c.83C > A (class 3)
OTOA c.2654A > G (class 3)
OTOA c.2971 G > A (class 3)
OTOG c. 3719C > T (class 3)
p.(Ile190Serfs*11)
p.(Thr731Met)
p.(Pro28Gln)
p.(His885Arg)
p.(Glu991Lys)
p.(Pro1240Leu)
DOOF_v6_NSAR
AR
AR
AR
AR
AR

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Figure 1. Severity of hearing loss for the included patients.
Figure 1. Severity of hearing loss for the included patients.
Genes 14 00105 g001
Figure 2. Pedigrees of the four selected families; circles are female and squares are male individuals, black icons are patients affected by hearing loss typical for the family, icons crossed by a line indicate deceased family members, arrows indicate patients included in the study.
Figure 2. Pedigrees of the four selected families; circles are female and squares are male individuals, black icons are patients affected by hearing loss typical for the family, icons crossed by a line indicate deceased family members, arrows indicate patients included in the study.
Genes 14 00105 g002
Table 1. Variants found after initial genetic testing (AD = autosomal dominant, AR = autosomal recessive).
Table 1. Variants found after initial genetic testing (AD = autosomal dominant, AR = autosomal recessive).
Gene Mode of InheritanceNumber of Found Variants in Each GeneClass of Found Variants Homo- or
Heterozygous
Occurrence
GJB2
OTOGL
SLC26A4
LOXHD1
THRAP3
TECTA
TBC1D24
ATP6V0A4
COL2A1
CDH23
MYO7A
MYO15A
OTOF
GRXCR2
PTPRQ
TSPEAR
ADCY1
PJVK
OTOA
TRIOBP
COCH
RIPOR2
WFS1
MYO1A
CLIC5
COL11A2
MTAP
MYH14
MYO3A
LRTOMT
USH2A
MYH9
GSDME
DMXL2
RDX
GIPC3
OTOG
SLC17A8
BDP1
AR/AD
AR
AR
AR
AD
AR/AD
AR/AD
AR
AD
AR
AR/AD
AR
AR
AR
AR
AR
AR
AR
AR
AR
AR/AD
AR
AR/AD
AD
AR
AR/AD
AR
AD
AR
AR
AR
AD
AD
AD
AR
AR
AR
AD
AR
1
3
2
1
1
2
3
1
1
5
1
5
3
1
4
1
1
1
3
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
3
3
3,5
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3,4
3
3
3
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Heterozygous
Table 2. Results of additional whole exome sequencing-based panel testing.
Table 2. Results of additional whole exome sequencing-based panel testing.
PatientSeverity of Hearing LossResults of Additional Panel Testing
Family 1
1Moderately severeHeterozygous DMXL2 c.4937G > A (Class 3)
Family 2
2ModerateHomozygous STRC and CATSPER 2 deletion (Class 5)
3ModerateHomozygous STRC and CATSPER 2 deletion (Class 5)
Family 3
4ModerateHeterozygous STRC c.1030C > T (p.Arg344Ter) mutation and heterozygous STRC deletion (class 5)
5ModerateHeterozygous STRC c.1030C > T (p.Arg344Ter) mutation and heterozygous STRC deletion (class 5)
6ModerateNot tested
Family 4
7Moderately severeHeterozygous GIPC3 c.226-1G > T (already known, but now classified as class 5), recessive inheritance thus not considered responsible for the phenotype
8ModerateNo variants found
Table 3. Advantages and disadvantages of custom targeted gene panels, whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing (VUS = variants of uncertain significance).
Table 3. Advantages and disadvantages of custom targeted gene panels, whole exome sequencing and whole genome sequencing (VUS = variants of uncertain significance).
AdvantagesDisadvantages
Custom targeted gene panel testing
Less VUS
Less secondary findings
Lower costs
Streamlined data analysis
Shorter turnaround time
Static, quickly outdated
Only variants in known genes are detected
Whole exome
sequencing
Less selection bias
More flexibility in updating gene content if a panel is used
Reanalysis possible
Higher cost (although plunging)
Defects in mitochondrial
DNA not routinely tested
Secondary findings
More VUS
Whole genome
sequencing
Better identification of large structural re-
arrangements, balanced translocations, uniparental isodisomy and mosaicism
The most unbiased sequencing method
Sequencing coding and non-coding regions
Better detection of copy number variants
Higher cost
More VUS
Large amounts of data
More secondary findings
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Clabout, T.; Maes, L.; Acke, F.; Wuyts, W.; Van Schil, K.; Coucke, P.; Janssens, S.; De Leenheer, E. Negative Molecular Diagnostics in Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss: What Next? Genes 2023, 14, 105. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/genes14010105

AMA Style

Clabout T, Maes L, Acke F, Wuyts W, Van Schil K, Coucke P, Janssens S, De Leenheer E. Negative Molecular Diagnostics in Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss: What Next? Genes. 2023; 14(1):105. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/genes14010105

Chicago/Turabian Style

Clabout, Thomas, Laurence Maes, Frederic Acke, Wim Wuyts, Kristof Van Schil, Paul Coucke, Sandra Janssens, and Els De Leenheer. 2023. "Negative Molecular Diagnostics in Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss: What Next?" Genes 14, no. 1: 105. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/genes14010105

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