Integrated multiomics profiling of amniotic fluid exosomes reveals dysregulated lipid and protein signatures in fetal 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Amniotic fluid exosomes (AF-Exos) are pivotal carriers of biological information during fetal development; however, their role in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) remains unclear. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying fetal anomalies in 22q11.2DS, this study performed a comprehensive multiomics analysis of AF-Exos obtained from 22q11.2DS fetuses (n = 5) and matched controls (n = 5).

RESULTS

While exosomal morphology and size distribution remained unaltered, integrated lipidomic and proteomic profiling revealed profound molecular remodeling. Lipidomics analysis revealed a specific suppression of diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, and ceramides, accompanied by a shift in carbon chain length distribution. Concurrently, data-independent acquisition proteomics identified 329 differentially expressed proteins, highlighting a significant downregulation of PI4KA and widespread perturbations in pathways governing cardiovascular morphogenesis, angiogenesis, and SNARE-mediated vesicular transport. Integrated network analysis revealed strong correlations between the depletion of key lipids and reduced abundance of PI4KA and SNARE complex components, suggesting a potential interplay between lipid metabolism and vesicle trafficking.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings, extending beyond the primary genetic driver TBX1, point to distinct alterations in lipid signaling and exosomal transport machinery in 22q11.2DS, suggesting a novel parallel pathogenic mechanism. This study provides a novel multiomics resource for understanding 22q11.2DS pathogenesis and generates valuable hypothesis-driven candidates for future mechanistic investigation.