Clinical, pathological, and genetic analysis of a Korean family with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections carrying a novel Asp26Tyr mutation

Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2010 Summer;40(3):278-84.

Abstract

Non-syndromic familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAADs), inherited in an autosomal dominant manner in up to 19% of patients, are genetically heterogeneous. The ACTA2 gene, which encodes the vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific isoform of alpha-actin, is known to cause TAADs and occlusive vascular diseases, including coronary artery disease and premature ischemic stroke. We have investigated a Korean family with DeBakey type I aortic dissection related to pregnancy and a strong family history of TAADs. All affected family members underwent surgical repair of the ascending aorta. Other clinical features of familial TAAD, including inguinal hernias, iris flocculi, and livedo reticularis, were not observed. Histologic studies of aortic tissues showed medial degeneration and SMC hyperplasia in the aorta, consistent with previous observations. Molecular analyses of the ACTA2 gene showed a novel heterozygous missense mutation (c.76G>T; p.Asp26Tyr). Further analysis of a female patient and members of her family revealed that two affected sisters and her asymptomatic son had the same mutation. The novel Asp26Tyr mutation resides in SM alpha-actin subdomain 1 and is linked to TAAD with hypertrophy and disarray of SMCs and severe migraine, but not to livedo reticularis or iris flocculi. This study expands the spectrum of mutations of the ACTA2 gene by identifying a novel missense mutation. This is the first report of a pathologically- and genetically-confirmed family with TAAD in Korea.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / genetics*
  • Adult
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / genetics*
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / pathology*
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Dissection / genetics*
  • Aortic Dissection / pathology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • DNA Primers / chemistry
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Korea
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation, Missense / genetics*
  • Pedigree
  • Prognosis
  • Radiography
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • ACTA2 protein, human
  • Actins
  • DNA Primers