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Monda E, Caiazza M, Limongelli G. The role of genetic testing in Marfan syndrome. Curr Opin Cardiol 2024; 39:162-169. [PMID: 38386349 DOI: 10.1097/hco.0000000000001126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims to delineate the genetic basis of Marfan syndrome (MFS) and underscore the pivotal role of genetic testing in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, genotype-phenotype correlations, and overall disease management. RECENT FINDINGS The identification of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in the FBN1 gene, associated with specific clinical features such as aortic root dilatation or ectopia lentis, is a major diagnostic criterion for MFS. Understanding genotype-phenotype correlations is useful for determining the timing of follow-up, guiding prophylactic aortic root surgery, and providing more precise information to patients and their family members during genetic counseling. Genetic testing is also relevant in distinguishing MFS from other conditions that present with heritable thoracic aortic diseases, allowing for tailored and individualized management. SUMMARY Genetic testing is essential in different steps of the MFS patients' clinical pathway, starting from the phase of diagnosis to management and specific treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Monda
- Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Martina Caiazza
- Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Limongelli
- Inherited and Rare Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
- Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, UK
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Yagyu T, Ida K, Noguchi T. Similarity of aortic events between siblings with heritable thoracic aortic diseases: Clinical analysis focusing on identical twins and same-sex siblings. Am J Med Genet A 2024:e63632. [PMID: 38619088 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Yagyu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Ida
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Teruo Noguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
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Sebastian WA, Inoue M, Shimizu N, Sato R, Oguri S, Itonaga T, Kishimoto S, Shiraishi H, Hanada T, Ihara K. Cardiac manifestations of human ACTA2 variants recapitulated in a zebrafish model. J Hum Genet 2024; 69:133-138. [PMID: 38316882 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-024-01221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The ACTA2 gene encodes actin α2, a major smooth muscle protein in vascular smooth muscle cells. Missense variants in the ACTA2 gene can cause inherited thoracic aortic diseases with characteristic symptoms, such as dysfunction of smooth muscle cells in the lungs, brain vessels, intestines, pupils, bladder, or heart. We identified a heterozygous missense variant of Gly148Arg (G148R) in a patient with a thoracic aortic aneurysm, dissection, and left ventricular non-compaction. We used zebrafish as an in vivo model to investigate whether or not the variants might cause functional or histopathological abnormalities in the heart. Following the fertilization of one-cell stage embryos, we injected in vitro synthesized ACTA2 mRNA of wild-type, novel variant G148R, or the previously known pathogenic variant Arg179His (R179H). The embryos were maintained and raised for 72 h post-fertilization for a heart analysis. Shortening fractions of heart were significantly reduced in both pathogenic variants. A histopathological evaluation showed that the myocardial wall of ACTA2 pathogenic variants was thinner than that of the wild type, and the total cell number within the myocardium was markedly decreased in all zebrafish with pathogenic variants mRNAs. Proliferating cell numbers were also significantly decreased in the endothelial and myocardial regions of zebrafish with ACTA2 variants compared to the wild type. These results demonstrate the effects of ACTA2 G148R and R179H on the development of left ventricle non-compaction and cardiac morphological abnormalities. Our study highlights the previously unknown significance of the ACTA2 gene in several aspects of cardiovascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masanori Inoue
- Department of Pediatrics, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Shimizu
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Sato
- Department of Pediatrics, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Saori Oguri
- Department of Pediatrics, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Tomoyo Itonaga
- Department of Pediatrics, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Shintaro Kishimoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shiraishi
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Hanada
- Department of Cell Biology, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan.
| | - Kenji Ihara
- Department of Pediatrics, Oita University, Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan.
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Yagyu T, Noguchi T. Diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease in patients with heritable connective tissue disorders or heritable thoracic aortic diseases. Cardiovasc Interv Ther 2024; 39:126-136. [PMID: 38182694 DOI: 10.1007/s12928-023-00977-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Patients with heritable connective tissue disorders (HCTDs), represented by Marfan syndrome, can develop fatal aortic and/or arterial complications before age 50. Therefore, accurate diagnosis, appropriate medical treatment, and early prophylactic surgical treatment of aortic and arterial lesions are essential to improve prognosis. Patients with HCTDs generally present with specific physical features due to connective tissue abnormalities, while some patients with heritable thoracic aortic diseases (HTADs) have few distinctive physical characteristics. The development of genetic testing has made it possible to provide accurate diagnoses for patients with HCTDs/HTADs. This review provides an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of HCTDs/HTADs, including current evidence on cardiovascular interventions for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Yagyu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1, Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan.
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan.
| | - Teruo Noguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1, Kishibe-Shimmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
- Department of Genomic Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
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