Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza syndrome (HYAL2 deficiency) is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive multiple congenital anomaly disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in HYAL2, which encodes hyaluronidase 2, a GPI-anchored cell-surface enzyme that degrades the extracellular glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan. Hyaluronan is a critical, transient component of the developing heart and palatal shelf matrix, and its regulated turnover is required for normal craniofacial and cardiac morphogenesis. Loss of HYAL2 activity therefore produces a recognizable syndrome dominated by orofacial clefting (unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate), a characteristic craniofacial dysmorphism, and congenital cardiac anomalies, most distinctively cor triatriatum sinister - of which HYAL2 deficiency is the first defined molecular cause. More variable features include myopia (sometimes severe, with increased risk of retinal detachment), typically conductive hearing loss, and skeletal findings such as pectus excavatum and digital anomalies; intellect is usually normal. The condition is distinct from HYAL1 deficiency (mucopolysaccharidosis type IX), which affects the other major somatic hyaluronidase and presents as a mild joint-centred phenotype. First delineated by Muggenthaler and colleagues in 2017, only a handful of families have been reported.
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name: Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza Syndrome
creation_date: "2026-09-02T00:00:00Z"
category: Mendelian
description: >-
Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza syndrome (HYAL2 deficiency) is an ultra-rare
autosomal recessive multiple congenital anomaly disorder caused by biallelic
loss-of-function variants in HYAL2, which encodes hyaluronidase 2, a
GPI-anchored cell-surface enzyme that degrades the extracellular
glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan. Hyaluronan is a critical, transient component of
the developing heart and palatal shelf matrix, and its regulated turnover is
required for normal craniofacial and cardiac morphogenesis. Loss of HYAL2
activity therefore produces a recognizable syndrome dominated by orofacial
clefting (unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate), a characteristic
craniofacial dysmorphism, and congenital cardiac anomalies, most distinctively
cor triatriatum sinister - of which HYAL2 deficiency is the first defined
molecular cause. More variable features include myopia (sometimes severe, with
increased risk of retinal detachment), typically conductive hearing loss, and
skeletal findings such as pectus excavatum and digital anomalies; intellect is
usually normal. The condition is distinct from HYAL1 deficiency
(mucopolysaccharidosis type IX), which affects the other major somatic
hyaluronidase and presents as a mild joint-centred phenotype. First delineated
by Muggenthaler and colleagues in 2017, only a handful of families have been
reported.
disease_term:
preferred_term: Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza syndrome
term:
id: MONDO:0976127
label: Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza syndrome
mappings:
mondo_mappings:
- term:
id: MONDO:0976127
label: Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza syndrome
mapping_predicate: skos:exactMatch
mapping_source: MONDO
parents:
- Syndromic disease
- Hereditary disease
synonyms:
- HYAL2 deficiency
- HYAL2-related syndromic orofacial clefting
notes: >-
Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza syndrome is the HYAL2 counterpart of HYAL1
deficiency (mucopolysaccharidosis type IX). Both disrupt somatic hyaluronan
turnover, but they are clinically and biochemically distinct: HYAL1 loss
produces a mild, joint-centred lysosomal storage phenotype, whereas HYAL2 loss
produces a developmental multiple-congenital-anomaly syndrome of orofacial
clefting, cor triatriatum sinister, and craniofacial dysmorphism, reflecting
the role of HYAL2 in degrading hyaluronan in the developing heart and palatal
shelf matrix. The disorder is ultra-rare; the reported case series remain
small (17 individuals from seven families summarized in GeneReviews as of the
2023 review), so several well-documented features are described conservatively
in prose rather than over-annotated. Cor triatriatum sinister and hearing loss
are incompletely penetrant, having been identified in only a proportion of
affected humans and Hyal2-/- mice.
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal recessive inheritance
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: Autosomal recessive inheritance
term:
id: HP:0000007
label: Autosomal recessive inheritance
description: >-
HYAL2 deficiency is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner; affected
individuals carry biallelic (homozygous or compound heterozygous) pathogenic
HYAL2 variants, and heterozygous carriers are unaffected.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "HYAL2 deficiency is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner."
explanation: >-
The GeneReviews clinical synopsis states the autosomal recessive mode of
inheritance for HYAL2 deficiency.
pathophysiology:
- name: HYAL2 hyaluronidase 2 deficiency
description: >-
Biallelic loss-of-function variants in HYAL2 destabilize the hyaluronidase 2
protein, dramatically reducing its levels and causing an absence of the
GPI-anchored enzyme from the cell surface. HYAL2 normally degrades
extracellular high-molecular-weight hyaluronan, acting alongside HYAL1 as one
of the two major mammalian somatic hyaluronidases.
biological_scale: MOLECULAR
genes:
- preferred_term: HYAL2
term:
id: hgnc:5321
label: HYAL2
genetic_context:
functional_impact_category: LOSS_OF_FUNCTION
description: >-
Biallelic HYAL2 missense and truncating variants destabilize the protein
and abolish its cell-surface presentation, producing a loss of
hyaluronidase 2 function. Nonsense alleles yield no detectable protein and
missense alleles are degraded or fail GPI-anchored surface localization.
molecular_functions:
- preferred_term: hyaluronidase 2 activity
modifier: DECREASED
term:
id: GO:0004415
label: hyalurononglucosaminidase activity
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: "Transfection assays demonstrated that the gene mutations destabilize the molecule, dramatically reducing HYAL2 protein levels."
explanation: >-
Establishes that the pathogenic HYAL2 variants act by destabilizing the
protein and reducing its levels, i.e. loss of function.
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: "functional studies indicated that these variants cause protein instability and a concomitant cell surface absence of HYAL2 protein."
explanation: >-
Independent functional studies confirm that pathogenic missense variants
cause HYAL2 protein instability and loss of the cell-surface enzyme.
downstream:
- target: Impaired extracellular hyaluronan degradation
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: >-
Loss of the cell-surface hyaluronidase 2 enzyme removes a major route for
degrading extracellular hyaluronan.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "HYAL2, encoding hyaluronidase 2, degrades extracellular hyaluronan, a critical component of the developing heart and palatal shelf matrix."
explanation: >-
Identifies extracellular hyaluronan degradation as the function of
HYAL2, whose loss leaves that substrate incompletely turned over. This
is a background statement of HYAL2 enzymology, not a human clinical
observation, so it is graded OTHER.
- name: Impaired extracellular hyaluronan degradation
description: >-
With HYAL2 activity lost, high-molecular-weight extracellular hyaluronan is
not properly degraded. Because hyaluronan is a critical, developmentally
regulated component of the extracellular matrix of the developing heart and
palatal shelves, its dysregulated turnover disrupts the matrix remodeling
required for normal morphogenesis of these structures.
biological_scale: MOLECULAR
chemical_entities:
- preferred_term: hyaluronan
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: CHEBI:16336
label: hyaluronic acid
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: hyaluronan catabolic process
modifier: DECREASED
term:
id: GO:0030214
label: hyaluronan catabolic process
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "catalyzing the degradation of the high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan polymer hyaluronan."
explanation: >-
Confirms that HYAL2 catalyzes degradation of high-molecular-weight
hyaluronan, the reaction that fails in HYAL2 deficiency. This is a
background enzymology statement in the Fasham introduction, not a human
clinical observation, so it is graded OTHER.
downstream:
- target: Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent developmental morphogenesis
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: >-
Failure to remodel the hyaluronan-rich matrix of the developing heart and
palatal shelves disrupts their morphogenesis.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "HYAL2, encoding hyaluronidase 2, degrades extracellular hyaluronan, a critical component of the developing heart and palatal shelf matrix."
explanation: >-
Ties impaired hyaluronan turnover to the developing heart and palatal
shelf matrix, the substrates of the affected morphogenesis. This is a
background statement of HYAL2 enzymology, not a human clinical
observation, so it is graded OTHER.
- name: Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent developmental morphogenesis
description: >-
Dysregulated hyaluronan turnover during embryonic development disrupts
morphogenesis of the tissues in which hyaluronan is a critical, transient
matrix constituent - the craniofacial structures (palatal shelves, lip), the
heart, the vitreous of the eye, and the skeleton - producing the orofacial
clefting, cardiac malformations, myopia, and skeletal findings that define
the syndrome. Mechanistically, failure to clear high-molecular-weight
hyaluronan drives excess epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and decreased
differentiation in the affected cushions and shelves. The Hyal2-/- mouse
recapitulates these developmental abnormalities, supporting a causal,
conserved role for HYAL2 in this process.
biological_scale: TISSUE
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: "investigations of Hyal2-/- mice revealed craniofacial abnormalities, including submucosal cleft palate."
explanation: >-
Hyal2-null mice develop craniofacial abnormalities including cleft palate,
demonstrating that loss of HYAL2 disrupts craniofacial morphogenesis.
downstream:
- target: Cleft lip
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted palatal shelf and lip morphogenesis produces cleft lip.
- target: Cleft palate
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted palatal shelf morphogenesis produces cleft palate.
- target: Congenital cardiac anomalies
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted cardiac cushion morphogenesis produces the congenital cardiac anomalies.
- target: Cor triatriatum sinister
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted cardiac morphogenesis produces cor triatriatum sinister.
- target: Facial dysmorphism
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted craniofacial morphogenesis produces the characteristic facial dysmorphism.
- target: Myopia
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: >-
Dysregulated hyaluronan turnover in the vitreous, of which hyaluronan is
the major macromolecule, disrupts ocular development and produces myopia.
- target: Cataract
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent ocular development contributes to the cataract seen in some individuals.
- target: Conductive hearing impairment
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: >-
Disrupted craniofacial and middle-ear development, associated with the
palatal clefting, produces the conductive hearing impairment.
- target: Sensorineural hearing loss
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: >-
Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent otic development is the proposed basis for
the sensorineural hearing loss identified in a minority of individuals.
- target: Pectus excavatum
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent skeletal development produces pectus excavatum.
- target: Digital anomalies
causal_link_type: DIRECT
description: Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent skeletal development produces the digital anomalies.
phenotypes:
- name: Cleft lip
category: Craniofacial
description: >-
Unilateral or bilateral cleft lip, part of the orofacial clefting (cleft lip
and palate) that is a core - though, in the expanded cohort, variable -
feature of HYAL2 deficiency and the presentation through which the syndrome
was first recognized. The companion cleft palate is modelled as a separate
phenotype node.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Cleft lip
term:
id: HP:0410030
label: Cleft lip
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Here, we describe mutations in the HYAL2 gene as a cause of syndromic orofacial clefting."
explanation: >-
Identifies syndromic orofacial clefting as the defining presentation of
HYAL2 mutations.
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "cleft lip and palate (unilateral or bilateral)"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews lists unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate as a core
manifestation.
- name: Cleft palate
category: Craniofacial
description: >-
Cleft palate accompanies the cleft lip as part of the orofacial clefting;
Hyal2-/- mice show a submucosal cleft palate.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Cleft palate
term:
id: HP:0000175
label: Cleft palate
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "cleft lip and palate (unilateral or bilateral)"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents cleft palate as part of the core craniofacial
manifestation of HYAL2 deficiency.
- name: Cor triatriatum sinister
category: Cardiovascular
description: >-
Cor triatriatum sinister, a congenital cardiac anomaly in which a fibromuscular
membrane subdivides the left atrium, is an incompletely penetrant but
characteristic feature. HYAL2 deficiency is the first defined molecular cause
of human cor triatriatum sinister.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Cor triatriatum sinister
term:
id: HP:0031134
label: Cor triatriatum sinister
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "cor triatriatum sinister and hearing loss, identified in a proportion of Hyal2-/- mice, were also found as incompletely penetrant features in affected humans."
explanation: >-
Documents cor triatriatum sinister as an incompletely penetrant feature of
HYAL2 deficiency in affected humans.
- name: Myopia
category: Ophthalmologic
description: >-
Myopia, which can range from mild to severe (up to about -16.75 diopters),
occurs in HYAL2 deficiency and carries an increased risk of retinal
detachment. Hyaluronan is a major constituent of the vitreous humor.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Myopia
term:
id: HP:0000545
label: Myopia
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "ophthalmic findings (including mild-to-severe myopia up to −16.75 diopters and increased risk of retinal detachment)"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents mild-to-severe myopia, with increased retinal
detachment risk, as an ophthalmic manifestation.
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "confirmed a recognizable craniofacial phenotype in addition to myopia, cleft lip/palate, and congenital cardiac anomalies as the most consistent manifestations of the condition."
explanation: >-
Independently lists myopia among the most consistent manifestations of the
condition.
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: "The human vitreous is a specialized extracellular matrix composed of hyaluronan, the major macromolecule, interwoven with chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (including versican and collagen IX) and other collagen fibrils."
explanation: >-
Background statement that hyaluronan is the major macromolecule of the
vitreous, providing the mechanistic rationale for why impaired hyaluronan
turnover produces the ocular (myopic) phenotype.
sequelae:
- target: Staphyloma
description: >-
Progressive high myopia leads to posterior scleral ectasia (staphyloma),
reported in several affected individuals.
- name: Conductive hearing impairment
category: Otologic
description: >-
Hearing loss, typically conductive, occurs in HYAL2 deficiency and was an
incompletely penetrant feature in both affected humans and Hyal2-/- mice.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Conductive hearing impairment
term:
id: HP:0000405
label: Conductive hearing impairment
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "hearing loss (typically conductive), and skeletal findings (including pectus excavatum and digital anomalies)"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews specifies that the hearing loss in HYAL2 deficiency is
typically conductive (quoted within the clinical-characteristics sentence).
- name: Facial dysmorphism
category: Craniofacial
description: >-
Affected individuals share a recognizable craniofacial dysmorphism beyond the
clefting, allowing clinical recognition of the syndrome.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Recognizable craniofacial dysmorphism
term:
id: HP:0001999
label: Abnormal facial shape
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "confirmed a recognizable craniofacial phenotype in addition to myopia, cleft lip/palate, and congenital cardiac anomalies as the most consistent manifestations of the condition."
explanation: >-
Documents a recognizable craniofacial phenotype as a consistent
manifestation of the syndrome.
- name: Pectus excavatum
category: Skeletal
description: >-
Skeletal findings in HYAL2 deficiency include pectus excavatum and digital
anomalies.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Pectus excavatum
term:
id: HP:0000767
label: Pectus excavatum
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "skeletal findings (including pectus excavatum and digital anomalies)"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews lists pectus excavatum among the skeletal findings of HYAL2
deficiency.
- name: Congenital cardiac anomalies
category: Cardiovascular
description: >-
Congenital cardiac anomalies are a core, high-incidence feature of HYAL2
deficiency and comprise a spectrum beyond the distinctive cor triatriatum
sinister - valvular anomalies, atrial/ventricular septal defects, and, in the
expanded cohort, clinically significant lesions requiring early surgery
(coarctation of the aorta, mitral valve atresia, hypoplastic left ventricle,
pulmonary valve atresia, tetralogy of Fallot). Unlike the incompletely
penetrant cor triatriatum sinister, cardiac anomalies as a class are a
defining manifestation of the syndrome.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Congenital cardiac anomalies
term:
id: HP:0001627
label: Abnormal heart morphology
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "HYAL2 deficiency is characterized by cardiac anomalies"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews names cardiac anomalies first among the defining clinical
characteristics of HYAL2 deficiency.
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Congenital cardiac anomalies, identified in most new cases, comprise an important component of the disease phenotype"
explanation: >-
The expanded Fasham cohort finds congenital cardiac anomalies in most new
cases, establishing them as a consistent component of the phenotype.
- name: Cataract
category: Ophthalmologic
description: >-
Lens opacities / cataract are reported among the ocular findings, part of a
broader hyaluronan-dependent ocular (vitreoretinal) phenotype.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Cataract
term:
id: HP:0000518
label: Cataract
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "along with more variable features, including congenital cardiac anomalies (cor triatriatum sinister), myopia with staphyloma, cataract, conductive/sensorineural hearing loss, pectus excavatum, and single palmar creases."
explanation: >-
Fasham et al. list cataract among the variable clinical features of HYAL2
deficiency.
- name: Staphyloma
category: Ophthalmologic
description: >-
Posterior staphyloma, associated with the high myopia, was reported in
several affected individuals.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Staphyloma
term:
id: HP:0030856
label: Posterior staphyloma
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "along with more variable features, including congenital cardiac anomalies (cor triatriatum sinister), myopia with staphyloma, cataract, conductive/sensorineural hearing loss, pectus excavatum, and single palmar creases."
explanation: >-
Fasham et al. list staphyloma (with myopia) among the variable ocular
features of HYAL2 deficiency.
- name: Sensorineural hearing loss
category: Otologic
description: >-
Although hearing loss in HYAL2 deficiency is typically conductive, profound
sensorineural hearing loss was identified in an affected individual,
indicating the otologic involvement is not exclusively conductive.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Sensorineural hearing loss
term:
id: HP:0000407
label: Sensorineural hearing impairment
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "one affected individual was found to have profound sensorineural hearing loss."
explanation: >-
Documents profound sensorineural hearing loss in an affected individual,
distinct from the usual conductive hearing impairment.
- name: Digital anomalies
category: Skeletal
description: >-
Digital anomalies (including toe syndactyly and single palmar creases) are
reported among the skeletal findings of HYAL2 deficiency.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Digital anomalies
term:
id: HP:0011297
label: Abnormal digit morphology
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "skeletal findings (including pectus excavatum and digital anomalies)"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews lists digital anomalies among the skeletal findings of HYAL2
deficiency.
genetic:
- name: HYAL2 pathogenic variants
gene_term:
preferred_term: HYAL2
term:
id: hgnc:5321
label: HYAL2
association: Causative
relationship_type: CAUSATIVE
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal recessive
description: >-
Disease results from biallelic (homozygous or compound heterozygous)
loss-of-function HYAL2 variants.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "biallelic pathogenic variants in HYAL2 identified by molecular genetic testing."
explanation: >-
GeneReviews establishes the diagnosis on biallelic pathogenic HYAL2
variants, consistent with recessive inheritance.
features: >-
Muggenthaler-Chowdhury-Chioza syndrome is caused by biallelic
loss-of-function variants in HYAL2, which encodes the GPI-anchored
cell-surface hyaluronidase 2. The originally reported Amish and Saudi Arabian
families carried homozygous missense variants, and a later series identified
additional novel missense and small-deletion variants. Functional and in
silico studies indicate that the missense variants cluster around the
predicted enzymatic active site and destabilize protein folding, causing
protein instability and loss of the enzyme from the cell surface.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Ten newly identified individuals with this condition were investigated, and they were associated with 9 novel pathogenic variants."
explanation: >-
Expands the HYAL2 mutational spectrum with nine additional pathogenic
variants across ten newly identified individuals.
- reference: PMID:34906488
reference_title: Elucidating the clinical spectrum and molecular basis of HYAL2 deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: COMPUTATIONAL
snippet: "In silico modeling of missense variants identified likely deleterious effects on protein folding."
explanation: >-
In silico modeling supports a protein-folding/destabilization mechanism for
the missense variants.
animal_models:
- name: Hyal2-/- knockout mouse
species: Mouse
genotype: Hyal2 homozygous null (Hyal2-/-)
publication: PMID:28081210
description: >-
Constitutive Hyal2-null mice were used to establish the causal, conserved
role of HYAL2 in the disorder. They universally show facial dysmorphism,
underdevelopment of the viscerocranium, submucosal cleft palate (in ~83% of
nulls), and cardiac valve thickening; cor triatriatum sinister (~50%) and
hearing loss are found in a proportion of animals, paralleling the
incompletely penetrant features seen in affected humans. Because the null
allele abolishes HYAL2 entirely - whereas the human missense alleles retain
residual protein - the mouse also develops circulating hyaluronan
accumulation and cardiopulmonary complications not seen in the described
human patients.
modeled_mechanisms:
- target: Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent developmental morphogenesis
relationship: PARTIALLY_RECAPITULATES
fidelity: HIGH
description: >-
The Hyal2-null mouse reproduces the core craniofacial and cardiac
developmental defects of the human syndrome, establishing HYAL2 loss as a
conserved cause of the disrupted hyaluronan-dependent morphogenesis.
limitations: >-
Only a proportion of null mice manifest cor triatriatum sinister (~50%)
and hearing loss, mirroring the incomplete penetrance of these features in
humans; and the complete null abolishes HYAL2 (versus residual protein
from human missense alleles), so nulls additionally develop circulating
hyaluronan accumulation and cardiopulmonary disease absent in the described
human patients.
readouts:
- name: Craniofacial morphogenesis (submucosal cleft palate)
target: Disrupted hyaluronan-dependent developmental morphogenesis
description: >-
Gross and micro-CT examination of the craniofacial skeleton and palate
of Hyal2-/- versus littermate control mice.
direction: INCREASED
interpretation: >-
Craniofacial abnormalities including submucosal cleft palate in null
mice are the structural correlate of the disrupted morphogenesis node.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: "investigations of Hyal2-/- mice revealed craniofacial abnormalities, including submucosal cleft palate."
explanation: >-
Reports the craniofacial and palatal malformations measured in the
null mouse that ground this readout.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:28081210
reference_title: "Mutations in HYAL2, Encoding Hyaluronidase 2, Cause a Syndrome of Orofacial Clefting and Cor Triatriatum Sinister in Humans and Mice."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: "Consistent with the clinical presentation in affected individuals, investigations of Hyal2-/- mice revealed craniofacial abnormalities, including submucosal cleft palate."
explanation: >-
Establishes that the null mouse recapitulates the craniofacial
developmental defects seen in affected individuals, making it informative
for the disrupted-morphogenesis node. Cor triatriatum sinister and
hearing loss are only partially penetrant in the mouse (see limitations).
treatments:
- name: Supportive and multidisciplinary care
description: >-
There is no cure for HYAL2 deficiency. Management is supportive, coordinated
by a multidisciplinary team (pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery for
cardiac anomalies, a craniofacial team for the clefting, and audiology and
speech-language pathology for hearing and communication) to maximize function
and reduce complications.
therapeutic_modality: OTHER
treatment_term:
preferred_term: supportive care
term:
id: NCIT:C15747
label: Supportive Care
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "There is no cure for HYAL2 deficiency. Supportive care to improve quality of life, maximize function, and reduce complications is recommended."
explanation: >-
GeneReviews states that management is supportive, with no curative therapy.
- name: Surgical repair of cleft and cardiac anomalies
description: >-
Surgical management is directed at the structural anomalies - staged
craniofacial/cleft repair and cardiac surgery for the congenital cardiac
anomalies (including cor triatriatum sinister when hemodynamically
significant).
therapeutic_modality: SURGERY
treatment_term:
preferred_term: surgical procedure
term:
id: NCIT:C15329
label: Surgical Procedure
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "care by specialists in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery and a multidisciplinary craniofacial team to coordinate timing and type of surgical interventions"
explanation: >-
GeneReviews describes cardiac surgery and coordinated craniofacial surgical
interventions as part of management.
target_mechanisms:
- target: Cleft lip
treatment_effect: RESTORES
description: >-
Staged craniofacial/cleft surgery repairs the orofacial cleft, restoring
the lip anatomy; symptomatic correction of the structural malformation
rather than modification of the underlying developmental mechanism.
- target: Cleft palate
treatment_effect: RESTORES
description: Cleft palate repair restores palatal continuity for feeding and speech.
- target: Congenital cardiac anomalies
treatment_effect: RESTORES
description: >-
Cardiac surgery corrects the congenital cardiac anomalies (including
lesions requiring intervention in the first year of life).
- target: Cor triatriatum sinister
treatment_effect: RESTORES
description: >-
Surgical resection of the dividing left-atrial membrane corrects cor
triatriatum sinister when hemodynamically significant.
- name: Genetic counseling
description: >-
Because HYAL2 deficiency is autosomal recessive, genetic counseling informs
families of the 25% recurrence risk for sibs and the availability of carrier,
prenatal, and preimplantation genetic testing once the familial variants are
known.
therapeutic_modality: OTHER
treatment_term:
preferred_term: Genetic Counseling
term:
id: NCIT:C15240
label: Genetic Counseling
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Once the HYAL2 pathogenic variants have been identified in an affected family member, carrier testing for relatives at risk and prenatal and preimplantation genetic testing are possible."
explanation: >-
GeneReviews documents the genetic counseling and testing options that
follow from recessive inheritance.
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "each sib of an affected individual has at conception a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier."
explanation: >-
GeneReviews states the 25% sib recurrence risk that the genetic-counseling
description reports.
diagnosis:
- name: Molecular genetic testing for biallelic HYAL2 variants
description: >-
The diagnosis is established in a proband with the suggestive craniofacial,
cardiac, ophthalmic, otologic, and skeletal findings by identifying biallelic
(homozygous or compound heterozygous) pathogenic HYAL2 variants on molecular
genetic testing (exome or genome sequencing). There is no biochemical or
functional assay in routine clinical use; molecular confirmation is the basis
of diagnosis, and it also enables the carrier, prenatal, and preimplantation
testing offered in genetic counseling.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The diagnosis of HYAL2 deficiency is established in a proband with suggestive findings and biallelic pathogenic variants in HYAL2 identified by molecular genetic testing."
explanation: >-
GeneReviews states the diagnostic criterion - suggestive findings plus
biallelic pathogenic HYAL2 variants on molecular genetic testing.
prevalence:
- population: Worldwide
measure_type: CASES_IN_LITERATURE
prevalence_class: ULTRA_RARE
notes: >-
Ultra-rare; GeneReviews (2023) summarizes 17 individuals from seven families
reported to date.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:37733894
reference_title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "To date, 17 individuals from seven families have been reported with HYAL2 deficiency."
explanation: >-
Directly supports the ultra-rare, cases-in-literature occurrence of HYAL2
deficiency.
references:
- reference: PMID:37733894
title: HYAL2 Deficiency.
tags:
- GeneReviews