Diagnosis of genetic amyloidosis through the analysis of transthyretin gene mutation using high-resolution melting. (15th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lahuerta, Carmen; Menao, Sebastián; Gracia-Gutierrez, Anyuli; Bueno-Juana, Esperanza; Guillén, Natalia; Sorribas, Víctor; Gracia, Alejandro Andrés; Aibar, Miguel A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of cardiology. Volume 301(2020)
• Page Start: 220
• Page End: 225
• Publication Date: 2020-02-15
• Subjects: Transthyretin -- Hereditary amyloidosis -- Cardiac amyloidosis -- Cardiomyopathy -- High-resolution melting; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.10.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-5273

Abstract

Abstract: Transthyretin amyloidosis can be either the wild-type (ATTR-wt) or the hereditary form (ATTR-m) with autosomal dominant inheritance. ATTR seems to be an underdiagnosed disease, despite now being recognized as one of the most frequent causes of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction. The confirmation of diagnosis includes a genetic analysis as a critical step to distinguish between ATTR-wt and hereditary amyloidosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential application of High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis for identifying gene mutations in patients with suspected ATTR-m. We have adapted and validated the use of HRM for TTR mutations. We, therefore, sequenced the TTR gene and used HRM in a group of 134 patients suspected of suffering from amyloidosis. Seven patients were diagnosed with mutations in the TTR gene (p.Glu74Gln, heterozygous p.Val142Ile, and homozygous p.Val142Ile). HRM is capable of clearly detecting these TTR mutations, including the heterozygous and homozygous variants. The results show a 100% correlation between the HRM study and TTR sequencing. These results support future studies of applying HRM analysis as a diagnostic approach for ATTR-m, mainly for epidemiological studies. Highlights: This is the first study that has tested to screen for ATTR gene mutations. HRMA is capable of clearly detecting TTR variants (heterozygous and homozygous). The results show a 100% correlation between the HRMA study and TTR sequencing.