A novel desmoplakin mutation causes dilated cardiomyopathy with palmoplantar keratoderma as an early clinical sign

Risk Assessment and Personalized Treatment Options in Inherited Dilated Cardiomyopathies: A Narrative Review

Considering the worldwide impact of heart failure, it is crucial to develop approaches that can help us comprehend its root cause and make accurate predictions about its outcome. This is essential for lowering the suffering and death rates connected with this widespread illness. Cardiomyopathies frequently result from genetic factors, and the study of heart failure genetics is advancing quickly. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most prevalent kind of cardiomyopathy, encompassing both genetic and nongenetic abnormalities. It is distinguished by the enlargement of the left ventricle or both ventricles, accompanied by reduced contractility. The discovery of the molecular origins and subsequent awareness of the molecular mechanism is broadening our knowledge of DCM development. Additionally, it emphasizes the complicated nature of DCM and the necessity to formulate several different strategies to address the diverse underlying factors contributing to this disease. Genetic variants that can be transmitted from one generation to another can be a significant contributor to causing family or sporadic hereditary DCM. Genetic variants also play a significant role in determining susceptibility for acquired triggers for DCM. The genetic causes of DCM can have a large range of phenotypic expressions. It is crucial to select patients who are most probable to gain advantages from genetic testing. The purpose of this research is to emphasize the significance of identifying genetic DCM, the relationships between genotype and phenotype, risk assessment, and personalized therapy for both those affected and their relatives. This approach is expected to gain importance once treatment is guided by genotype-specific advice and disease-modifying medications.

Characterization of primary human leptomeningeal cells in 2D culture

Maintaining the integrity of brain barriers is critical for a healthy central nervous system. While extensive research has focused on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the brain vasculature and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) of the choroid plexus, the barriers formed by the meninges have not received as much attention. These membranes create a barrier between the brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as between CSF and blood. Recent studies have revealed that this barrier has been implicated in the development of neurological and immunological disorders. In order to gain a deeper comprehension of the functioning and significance of the meningeal barriers, sophisticated models of these barriers, need to be created. The aim of this paper is to investigate the characteristics of commercially available primary leptomeningeal cells (LMCs) that form the meningeal barriers, in a cultured environment, including their morphology, proteomics, and barrier properties, and to determine whether passaging of these cells affects their behaviour in comparison to their in vivo state. The results indicate that higher passage numbers significantly alter the morphology and protein localisation and expression of the LMCs. Furthermore, the primary cell culture co-stained for S100A6 and E-cadherin suggesting it is a co-culture of both pial and arachnoid cells. Additionally, cultured LMCs showed an increase in vimentin and cytokeratin expression and a lack of junctional proteins localisation on the cell membrane, which could suggest loss of epithelial properties due to culture, preventing barrier formation. This study shows that the LMCs may be a co-culture of pial and arachnoid cells, that the optimal LMC passage range is between passages two and five for experimentation and that the primary human LMCs form a weak barrier when in culture.

Comprehensive review on gene mutations contributing to dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common primary myocardial diseases. However, to this day, it remains an enigmatic cardiovascular disease (CVD) characterized by ventricular dilatation, which leads to myocardial contractile dysfunction. It is the most common cause of chronic congestive heart failure and the most frequent indication for heart transplantation in young individuals. Genetics and various other factors play significant roles in the progression of dilated cardiomyopathy, and variants in more than 50 genes have been associated with the disease. However, the etiology of a large number of cases remains elusive. Numerous studies have been conducted on the genetic causes of dilated cardiomyopathy. These genetic studies suggest that mutations in genes for fibronectin, cytoskeletal proteins, and myosin in cardiomyocytes play a key role in the development of DCM. In this review, we provide a comprehensive description of the genetic basis, mechanisms, and research advances in genes that have been strongly associated with DCM based on evidence-based medicine. We also emphasize the important role of gene sequencing in therapy for potential early diagnosis and improved clinical management of DCM.

A Novel Heterozygous Desmoplakin Variant Causes Cardiocutaneous Syndrome with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy and Palmoplantar Keratosis

Cardiocutaneous syndrome (CCS) is often caused by genetic variants in desmoplakin (DSP) in the presence of thick calluses on the hands and soles of the feet (palmoplantar keratoderma) in combination with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. In this case report, we describe a 58-year-old man presenting with a history of cardiomyopathy with recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia and palmoplantar keratosis. The cardiological evaluation showed biventricular cardiomyopathy, and repeated genetic testing identified a novel DSP variant. Repeated genetic testingis clinically meaningful in patients with a high probability of a specific inherited cardiac disease, such as CCS, particularly if molecular screening has been performed in the pre-NGS era with an incomplete NGS panel or outdated technology as presented in this case report.