Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40158138›Full record

ArticleReproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E2025

Broadening the ARMC2 mutational phenotype: linking multiple morphological abnormalities of the Flagella to Pulmonary Manifestations in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Baoyan Wu, Wenhao Zhang, Hui Yu, Lewen Ruan, Kai Wang, Meng Gu, Hao Geng, Jiajun Fang, Chuan Xu, Yuying Sheng and 14 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

24 authors.

Baoyan Wu *Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Wenhao Zhang *Department of Clinical Medical, First Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
Hui Yu *Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Lewen Ruan *Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Kai Wang *Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Meng GuReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Hao GengReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Jiajun FangThe First Clinical Medical College of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
Chuan XuReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Yuying ShengReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Qing TanReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Qunshan ShenReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Zongliu DuanReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Huan WuReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Rong HuaReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Rui GuoReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Zhaolian WeiReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Ping ZhouReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Yuping XuReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Yunxia CaoReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
Xiaojin HeReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Kuokuo LiReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. likuokuo_bio@163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9422-677X
Mingrong LvReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. lvmingrong2016@163.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8817-7350
Dongdong TangReproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. tangdongdong@ahmu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9966-3642

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82071705National Natural Science Foundation of China 82101681National Natural Science Foundation of China 82271639University Outstanding Youth Program of Anhui Provincial Education Department 2022AH030113
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSevere asthenoteratozoospermia, a prevalent cause of male infertility, has increasingly been associated with ARMC2 variants that cause Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella (MMAF). Although ARMC2 is also expressed in other ciliary structures, no studies have yet reported a link between ARMC2 gene variants and other symptoms of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD).

methodsHere, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) on Chinese subjects with MMAF to identify potential genetic variants. Sanger sequencing was used to validate the candidate variants. Sperm morphology was assessed using modified hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed to observe the ultrastructural defects of the sperm flagella. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence (IF) of spermatozoa were performed to evaluate variations in structural protein. Additionally, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was applied for assisted fertilization.

resultsWe identified two compound heterozygous ARMC2 variants and one homozygous variant (P1: c.1030_1042del, p.T344fs/c.1331G > A, p.R444H; P2:c.1264C > T, p.R422X) in two unrelated individuals. Notably, in addition to MMAF, individual P2 exhibited classic symptoms of PCD in the lungs, including recurrent airway infections, bronchitis, and rhinosinusitis. Morphological and ultrastructural analyses of the spermatozoa obtained from the two individuals revealed dramatic disorganization in axonemal and peri-axonemal structures, as well as the absence of the axonemal central pair complex (CPC). Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays revealed the reduced expression of ARMC2 and the abnormality of various axonal structural proteins. Further assisted reproduction outcomes showed that one of the individuals conceived successfully after Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

conclusionsOverall, this study significantly expanded the mutational phenotype of ARMC2, marking the first discovery of PCD-related pulmonary phenotypes outside of the reproductive system. This work establishes the association between ARMC2 and typical PCD and lays the groundwork for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of ARMC2 in both flagellogenesis and ciliogenesis.

Indexed as

Ciliary Motility DisordersKartagener SyndromeMutationSperm TailAdultExome SequencingHumansInfertility, MaleMalePedigreePhenotypeSpermatozoaARMC2CillaFlagellumMale infertilityMMAFPCD

Identifiers

PMID40158138
PMCPMC11954227

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.