Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (embryo screening) for enlarged vestibular aqueduct due to SLC26A4 mutation

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is used to analyze embryos genetically before their transfer into the uterus. For families with genetic diseases, PGD offers a chance to have an unaffected child, without facing termination of pregnancy. Although PGD has been performed for many monogenic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and beta-thalassemia, the application of PGD to hereditary hearing impairment has not been explored. In the present study, we reported the development and application of PGD protocols to address enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA), which is a common type of hereditary hearing impairment associated with mutations in the SLC26A4 gene. The family requesting PGD had a history of EVA, segregating the SLC26A4 c.919-2A-->G mutation. In short, the PGD process was composed of two steps: the development of a single-cell testing protocol and clinical PGD cycles (i.e., selection and implantation of unaffected embryos using the single-cell testing protocol). First, protocols for genetic testing in a single cell were established for the c.919-2A-->G mutation using GenomiPhi technology and primer extension mini-sequencing. These protocols were validated on single lymphocytes collected from both parents and their affected child. Two clinical PGD cycles were then performed for the parents, with the second cycle successfully leading to a singleton pregnancy. The baby was homozygous for the wild-type SLC26A4 allele and revealed a normal audiological phenotype after birth. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature describing successful PGD in families with genetic hearing impairment. In our opinion, the application of PGD in the field of hereditary hearing impairment involves fewer ethical controversies than other novel applications of PGD and traditional indications for PGD for other monogenic diseases. Therefore, the approach demonstrated in the present study can also be used in a large number of families with other types of hereditary hearing impairment.