Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) has recently been shown to be caused by mutations in the cathepsin C gene resulting in periodontal disease and palmoplantar keratosis. Thirteen different homozygous mutations have been characterised in PLS patients of different ethnic origin. In the present paper, a PLS patient is described who carries two novel mutations (706G>T and 872G>A) in the paternal and maternal chromosomes, respectively. This is the first compound patient described so far. In addition, a novel symptomless mutation (458C>T) in the cathepsin C gene is described in three homozygous individuals. Thus, not all mutations should be considered as a cause of disease, whether case studies or general population screening is performed. Another already described mutation that provoked the Haim-Munk syndrome (HMS) in Indian Jews has also been found to give rise to PLS in a Spanish family from Madrid. On the other hand, PLS patients are ameliorated by retinoids, which indicates that retinoids may be used as therapeutic agents in this immune system deficiency.
Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.