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1.
Neurol India ; 72(3): 597-602, 2024 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39041979

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Peripheral neuropathy is one of the manifestations of primary or familial amyloidosis. Published studies from India are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinical and pathological features of amyloid neuropathy diagnosed at our Institute over the last 39 years. RESULTS: Fifty-five cases of amyloid neuropathies were diagnosed between 1981 and 2019, constituting 0.28% of peripheral nerve biopsies (55/19,081). Age at presentation ranged from 24 to 81 years (mean-48 years) with male preponderance [M:F = 3.58:1]. Duration of symptoms at presentation varied from 3 months to 10 years (mean-2.31 years). Majority presented with small fiber neuropathy (85%). Pure sensory symptoms predominated in 23%, while 72% had sensorimotor neuropathy and 35.8% had autonomic involvement, with isolated autonomic failure in one patient. Amyloid neuropathy was clinically suspected in 22.6% of nonfamilial cases. Familial amyloid neuropathy was suspected in eight patients. Genetic testing detected ATTR and gelsolin mutation in one each of tested patients. Nerve biopsies revealed characteristic birefringent amyloid deposits stained mahogany brown by Congo red predominantly surrounding endoneurial microvessels (34.5%), also in perineurium and epineurium in 25.45% cases. Preferential loss of small diameter myelinated fibers was noted. Axonal degeneration or regeneration was conspicuously absent. CONCLUSION: Amyloid neuropathy is uncommon (0.28% of nerve biopsies in our series). Nerve biopsy is essential for the diagnosis. We report our experience of amyloid neuropathy and underscore the importance of making an assiduous search for amyloid deposits in the appropriate setting. Awareness of this entity is important for early diagnosis in the light of emerging therapeutic advances.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Female , Adult , Aged , Amyloid Neuropathies/pathology , Amyloid Neuropathies/diagnosis , Aged, 80 and over , Young Adult , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , India , Biopsy
2.
Orphanet J Rare Dis ; 19(1): 273, 2024 Jul 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39033298

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a multisystem disease caused by the deposition of fibrillar protein in organs and tissues. ATTR genotypes and phenotypes are highly heterogeneous. We present data on physical signs and symptoms, cardiac and neurological assessments and genetic profile of patients enrolled in the Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis Registry of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: Six hundred-forty-four patients were enrolled, 505 with the variant form (ATTRv) and 139 with wild-type (ATTRwt). Eleven different mutations were detected, the most common being Val50Met (47.5%) and V142Ile (39.2%). Overall, more than half of the patients presented cardiac involvement, and the difference in this proportion between the ATTRv and ATTRwt groups was significant (43.9 vs. 89.9%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of the neurological phenotype also differed between ATTRv and ATTRwt (56.8 vs. 31.7%; p < 0.001). The mixed phenotype was found in 25.6% of the population, without a significant difference between ATTRv and ATTRwt groups. A group of patients remained asymptomatic (10.4%), with a lower proportion of asymptomatic ATTRwt patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study details the clinical and genetic spectrum of patients with ATTR in São Paulo, Brazil. This preliminary analysis highlights the considerable phenotypic heterogeneity of neurological and cardiac manifestations in patients with variant and wild-type ATTR.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Prealbumin , Humans , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Brazil , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Prealbumin/genetics , Prealbumin/metabolism , Mutation/genetics , Registries , Adult , Genotype , Phenotype
3.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 905, 2024 Jul 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39068302

ABSTRACT

ATTR amyloidosis results from the conversion of transthyretin into amyloid fibrils that deposit in tissues causing organ failure and death. This conversion is facilitated by mutations in ATTRv amyloidosis, or aging in ATTRwt amyloidosis. ATTRv amyloidosis exhibits extreme phenotypic variability, whereas ATTRwt amyloidosis presentation is consistent and predictable. Previously, we found unique structural variabilities in cardiac amyloid fibrils from polyneuropathic ATTRv-I84S patients. In contrast, cardiac fibrils from five genotypically different patients with cardiomyopathy or mixed phenotypes are structurally homogeneous. To understand fibril structure's impact on phenotype, it is necessary to study the fibrils from multiple patients sharing genotype and phenotype. Here we show the cryo-electron microscopy structures of fibrils extracted from four cardiomyopathic ATTRwt amyloidosis patients. Our study confirms that they share identical conformations with minimal structural variability, consistent with their homogenous clinical presentation. Our study contributes to the understanding of ATTR amyloidosis biopathology and calls for further studies.


Subject(s)
Amyloid , Cryoelectron Microscopy , Myocardium , Humans , Amyloid/metabolism , Amyloid/chemistry , Amyloid/ultrastructure , Myocardium/pathology , Myocardium/ultrastructure , Prealbumin/genetics , Prealbumin/metabolism , Prealbumin/chemistry , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Amyloidosis/metabolism , Amyloidosis/pathology , Amyloidosis/genetics , Mutation , Cardiomyopathies/genetics , Cardiomyopathies/pathology , Cardiomyopathies/metabolism
4.
Heart Fail Clin ; 20(3): 307-316, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38844301

ABSTRACT

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is caused by the myocardial deposition of misfolded proteins, either amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) or immunoglobulin light chains (AL). The paradigm of this condition has transformed, since CA is increasingly recognized as a relatively prevalent cause of heart failure. Cardiac scintigraphy with bone tracers is the unique noninvasive technique able to confirm CA without performing tissue biopsy or advanced imaging tests. A moderate-to-intense myocardial uptake (Perugini grade ≥2) associated with the absence of a monoclonal component is greater than 99% specific for ATTR-CA, while AL-CA confirmation requires tissue biopsy.


Subject(s)
Amyloidosis , Cardiomyopathies , Radiopharmaceuticals , Humans , Cardiomyopathies/diagnostic imaging , Cardiomyopathies/metabolism , Amyloidosis/diagnostic imaging , Amyloidosis/metabolism , Amyloidosis/pathology , Radionuclide Imaging/methods , Bone and Bones/diagnostic imaging , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Bone and Bones/pathology , Myocardium/pathology , Myocardium/metabolism , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnostic imaging , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/metabolism , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Heart Failure/diagnostic imaging , Heart Failure/metabolism , Prealbumin/metabolism
5.
PLoS One ; 19(6): e0304891, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38843135

ABSTRACT

ATTR amyloidosis is caused by deposition of large, insoluble aggregates (amyloid fibrils) of cross-ß-sheet TTR protein molecules on the intercellular surfaces of tissues. The process of amyloid formation from monomeric TTR protein molecules to amyloid deposits has not been fully characterized and is therefore modeled in this paper. Two models are considered: 1) TTR monomers in the blood spontaneously fold into a ß-sheet conformation, aggregate into short proto-fibrils that then circulate in the blood until they find a complementary tissue where the proto-fibrils accumulate to form the large, insoluble amyloid fibrils found in affected tissues. 2) TTR monomers in the native or ß-sheet conformation circulate in the blood until they find a tissue binding site and deposit in the tissue or tissues forming amyloid deposits in situ. These models only differ on where the selection for ß-sheet complementarity occurs, in the blood where wt-wt, wt-v, and v-v interactions determine selectivity, or on the tissue surface where tissue-wt and tissure-v interactions also determine selectivity. Statistical modeling in both cases thus involves selectivity in fibril aggregation and tissue binding. Because binding of protein molecules into fibrils and binding of fibrils to tissues occurs through multiple weak non-covalent bonds, strong complementarity between ß-sheet molecules and between fibrils and tissues is required to explain the insolubility and tissue selectivity of ATTR amyloidosis. Observation of differing tissue selectivity and thence disease phenotypes from either pure wildtype TTR protein or a mix of wildtype and variant molecules in amyloid fibrils evidences the requirement for fibril-tissue complementarity. Understanding the process that forms fibrils and binds fibrils to tissues may lead to new possibilities for interrupting the process and preventing or curing ATTR amyloidosis.


Subject(s)
Amyloid , Prealbumin , Prealbumin/metabolism , Prealbumin/chemistry , Humans , Amyloid/metabolism , Amyloid/chemistry , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/metabolism , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Amyloidosis/metabolism , Models, Molecular , Protein Conformation, beta-Strand
6.
Scand J Clin Lab Invest ; 84(3): 193-201, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38709651

ABSTRACT

Amyloidosis is a disease characterized by the deposition of protein fibrils. Cardiac involvement is a significant factor in determining prognosis. This study aimed to examine the clinical profile, outcomes, and long-term mortality rates in patients with transthyretin (ATTR) and amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. The retrospective cohort study included 94 patients with amyloidosis (69 with AL and 25 with ATTR amyloidosis) diagnosed between 2010 and 2022. The study involved multimodality imaging (ECG, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) data and survival analyses. Patients with ATTR amyloidosis were older and had a higher proportion of males compared to those with AL amyloidosis. Cardiac involvement was more prevalent in the ATTR group, including atrial fibrillation (AF), while pleural and pericardial effusion were more frequent in the AL group. Biomarkers such as NT-proBNP and troponin T were significantly elevated in both groups and were associated with all-cause mortality only in univariate analyses. CMR data, especially typical late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was not associated with increased mortality, while pleural effusion and left atrial dilatation on echocardiography were identified as powerful predictors of mortality. In conclusion, both AL and ATTR amyloidosis exhibited poor outcomes. Cardiac involvement, particularly dilated left atrium and pleural effusion on echocardiography were associated with an increased risk of mortality, while typical LGE on CMR was not.


Subject(s)
Echocardiography , Natriuretic Peptide, Brain , Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Retrospective Studies , Middle Aged , Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/blood , Peptide Fragments/blood , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnostic imaging , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/mortality , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis/diagnostic imaging , Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis/mortality , Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis/pathology , Amyloidosis/diagnostic imaging , Amyloidosis/pathology , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers/blood , Troponin T/blood , Electrocardiography , Atrial Fibrillation/diagnostic imaging , Pericardial Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Prognosis , Cardiomyopathies/diagnostic imaging
7.
J Korean Med Sci ; 39(19): e163, 2024 May 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38769922

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transthyretin amyloidosis cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is an under-recognized cause of heart failure (HF) with clinical phenotypes that vary across regions and genotypes. We sought to characterize the clinical characteristics of ATTR-CM in Asia. METHODS: Data from a nationwide cohort of patients with ATTR-CM from six major tertiary centres in South Korea were analysed between 2010 and 2021. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, biochemical laboratory tests, echocardiography, and transthyretin (TTR) genotyping at the time of diagnosis. The study population comprised 105 Asian ATTR-CM patients (mean age: 69 years; male: 65.7%, wild-type ATTR-CM: 41.9%). RESULTS: Among our cohort, 18% of the patients had a mean left ventricular (LV) wall thickness < 12 mm. The diagnosis of ATTR-CM increased notably during the study period (8 [7.6%] during 2010-2013 vs. 22 [21.0%] during 2014-2017 vs. 75 [71.4%] during 2018-2021). Although the duration between symptom onset and diagnosis did not differ, the proportion of patients with HF presenting mild symptoms increased during the study period (25% NYHA class I/II between 2010-2013 to 77% between 2018-2021). In contrast to other international registry data, male predominance was less prominent in wild-type ATTR-CM (68.2%). The distribution of TTR variants was also different from Western countries and from Japan. Asp38Ala was the most common mutation. CONCLUSION: A nationwide cohort of ATTR-CM exhibited less male predominance, a proportion of patients without increased LV wall thickness, and distinct characteristics of genetic mutations, compared to cohorts in other parts of the world. Our results highlight the ethnic variation in ATTR-CM and may contribute to improving the screening process for ATTR-CM in the Asian population.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Cardiomyopathies , Echocardiography , Prealbumin , Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Republic of Korea , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnosis , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Cardiomyopathies/genetics , Cardiomyopathies/diagnosis , Prealbumin/genetics , Middle Aged , Cohort Studies , Asian People/genetics , Genotype , Mutation , Heart Failure/diagnosis , Aged, 80 and over
8.
Amyloid ; 31(2): 116-123, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38433466

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR cardiac amyloidosis) is caused by variant (ATTRv) or wild type (ATTRwt) transthyretin. While gait abnormalities have been studied in younger patients with ATTRv amyloidosis, research on gait in older adults with ATTR cardiac amyloidosis is lacking. Given ATTR cardiac amyloidosis' association with neuropathy and orthopedic manifestations, we explore the gait in this population. METHODS: Twenty-eight older male ATTR cardiac amyloidosis patients and 11 healthy older male controls walked overground with and without a dual cognitive task. Gait parameters: stride width, length, velocity and stance time percentage were measured using an instrumented mat. ATTR amyloidosis patients were further categorized based on clinical and functional assessments. RESULTS: We found significant gait differences between ATTR cardiac amyloidosis patients and healthy controls; patients had more variable, slower, narrower and shorter strides, with their feet spending more time in contact with the ground as opposed to in swing. However, the observed gait differences did not correlate with clinical and functional measures of ATTR cardiac amyloidosis severity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that gait analysis could be a complementary tool for characterizing ATTR cardiac amyloidosis patients and may inform clinical care as it relates to falls, management of anticoagulation, and functional independence.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Gait , Humans , Male , Aged , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/physiopathology , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/complications , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Gait/physiology , Prealbumin/genetics , Prealbumin/metabolism , Middle Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology , Case-Control Studies , Female
9.
Amyloid ; 31(2): 132-141, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38477065

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) as biomarker of disease onset, progression and treatment effect in hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis patients and TTR variant (TTRv) carriers. METHODS: sNfL levels were assessed longitudinally in persistently asymptomatic TTRv carriers (N = 12), persistently asymptomatic ATTRv amyloidosis patients (defined as asymptomatic patients but with amyloid detectable in subcutaneous abdominal fat tissue) (N = 8), in TTRv carriers who developed polyneuropathy (N = 7) and in ATTRv amyloidosis patients with polyneuropathy on treatment (TTR-stabiliser (N = 20) or TTR-silencer (N = 18)). Polyneuropathy was confirmed by nerve conduction studies or quantitative sensory testing. sNfL was analysed using a single-molecule array assay. RESULTS: sNfL increased over 2 years in persistently asymptomatic ATTRv amyloidosis patients, but did not change in persistently asymptomatic TTRv carriers. In all TTRv carriers who developed polyneuropathy, sNfL increased from 8.4 to 49.8 pg/mL before the onset of symptoms and before polyneuropathy could be confirmed neurophysiologically. In symptomatic ATTRv amyloidosis patients on a TTR-stabiliser, sNfL remained stable over 2 years. In patients on a TTR-silencer, sNfL decreased after 1 year of treatment. CONCLUSION: sNfL is a biomarker of early neuronal damage in ATTRv amyloidosis already before the onset of polyneuropathy. Current data support the use of sNfL in screening asymptomatic TTRv carriers and in monitoring of disease progression and treatment effect.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Biomarkers , Neurofilament Proteins , Prealbumin , Humans , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/blood , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Neurofilament Proteins/blood , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Aged , Prealbumin/genetics , Prealbumin/metabolism , Longitudinal Studies , Adult , Polyneuropathies/blood , Polyneuropathies/genetics , Polyneuropathies/pathology , Polyneuropathies/diagnosis , Neurons/metabolism , Neurons/pathology
10.
Isr Med Assoc J ; 26(3): 149-156, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38493325

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is characterized by the extracellular deposition of misfolded protein in the heart. Precise identification of the amyloid type is often challenging, but critical, since the treatment and prognosis depend on the disease form and the type of deposited amyloid. Coexistence of clinical conditions such as old age, monoclonal gammopathy, chronic inflammation, or peripheral neuropathy in a patient with cardiomyopathy creates a differential diagnosis between the major types of CA: amyloidosis light chains (AL), amyloidosis transthyretin (ATTR) and amyloidosis A (AA). OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the utility of the Western blotting (WB)-based amyloid typing method in patients diagnosed with cardiac amyloidosis where the type of amyloid was not obvious based on the clinical context. METHODS: Congo red positive endomyocardial biopsy specimens were studied in patients where the type of amyloid was uncertain. Amyloid proteins were extracted and identified by WB. Mass spectrometry (MS) of the electrophoretically resolved protein-in-gel bands was used for confirmation of WB data. RESULTS: WB analysis allowed differentiation between AL, AA, and ATTR in cardiac biopsies based on specific immunoreactivity of the electrophoretically separated proteins and their characteristic molecular weight. The obtained results were confirmed by MS. CONCLUSIONS: WB-based amyloid typing method is cheaper and more readily available than the complex and expensive gold standard techniques such as MS analysis or immunoelectron microscopy. Notably, it is more sensitive and specific than the commonly used immunohistochemical techniques and may provide an accessible diagnostic service to patients with amyloidosis in Israel.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Amyloidosis , Cardiomyopathies , Humans , Amyloidosis/diagnosis , Amyloid/analysis , Amyloid/metabolism , Amyloidogenic Proteins , Cardiomyopathies/diagnosis , Blotting, Western , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Prealbumin
11.
Cardiovasc Pathol ; 70: 107624, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38412903

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the frequency and association between transthyretin-derived (ATTR) amyloidosis and sarcoidosis in a large autopsy cohort including many cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD). We identified 73 sporadic ATTR amyloidosis cases and 11 sarcoidosis cases, among which we found two cases with concomitant ATTR amyloidosis and sarcoidosis (2.4% of all cases; 2.7% within the sporadic ATTR group). The first case involved a 92-year-old man who experienced SCD. In this patient's heart, we observed ATTR deposition and noncaseating epithelioid granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. Focally, ATTR deposits and granulomas co-localized, with histiocyte phagocytosis of transthyretin-immunoreactive fragments. However, in most lesions, they were distributed independently. The second case was that of an 86-year-old woman who also experienced SCD. In this patient, we detected ATTR deposition in the heart and lung, while noncaseating epithelioid granulomas were only observed in the lung, liver, kidney, and thyroid. Furthermore, no co-localization of the two lesions was observed. Based on these findings, we concluded that the coexistence of ATTR amyloidosis and sarcoidosis was likely coincidental. Nevertheless, despite the rarity of the combination of these two diseases, it should be recognized as a potential cause of SCD, especially among elderly people.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Granuloma , Sarcoidosis , Humans , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Male , Granuloma/pathology , Granuloma/metabolism , Sarcoidosis/pathology , Sarcoidosis/metabolism , Sarcoidosis/complications , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/metabolism , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/complications , Aged , Autopsy , Myocardium/pathology , Myocardium/metabolism , Myocardium/immunology , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology , Death, Sudden, Cardiac/pathology , Middle Aged , Prealbumin/analysis , Prealbumin/metabolism , Cardiomyopathies/pathology , Cardiomyopathies/metabolism , Cardiomyopathies/etiology , Cardiomyopathies/immunology
12.
Medicina (Kaunas) ; 60(2)2024 Jan 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38399526

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a rare disease caused by pathogenic variants in the transthyretin (TTR) gene. More than 140 different disease-causing variants in TTR have been reported. Only a few individuals with a rare TTR variant, c.302C>T, p.(Ala101Val) (historically known as p.(Ala81Val)), primarily associated with cardiac ATTRv, have been described. Therefore, our aim was to analyze the clinical characteristics of individuals with the identified c.302C>T TTR variant at our center. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from individuals with ATTRv who were diagnosed and treated at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos. ATTRv was confirmed by negative hematological analysis for monoclonal protein, positive tissue biopsy or bone scintigraphy and a pathogenic TTR variant. Results: During 2018-2021, the TTR NM_000371.3:c.302C>T, NP_000362.1:p.(Ala101Val) variant was found in one individual in a homozygous state and in three individuals in a heterozygous state. The age of onset of symptoms ranged from 44 to 74 years. The earliest onset of symptoms was in the individual with the homozygous variant. A history of carpal tunnel syndrome was identified in two individuals. On ECG, three individuals had low QRS voltage in limb leads. All individuals had elevated NT-proBNP and hsTroponine I levels on baseline laboratory tests and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy on transthoracic echocardiography. The individual with the homozygous c.302C>T TTR variant had the most pronounced polyneuropathy with tetraparesis. Other patients with the heterozygous variant had more significant amyloid cardiomyopathy. When screening family members, the c.302C>T TTR variant was identified in two phenotypically negative relatives at the ages of 33 and 47 years. Conclusions: c.302C>T is a rare TTR variant associated with ATTRv cardiomyopathy. The homozygous state of this variant was not reported before, and is associated with earlier disease onset and neurological involvement compared to the heterozygote state.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Cardiomyopathies , Adult , Aged , Humans , Middle Aged , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/complications , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Cardiomyopathies/genetics , Cardiomyopathies/complications , Electrocardiography , Prealbumin/genetics , Prealbumin/analysis , Prealbumin/metabolism
13.
Echocardiography ; 41(1): e15733, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38284668

ABSTRACT

The coexistence of bicuspid aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease is well-established, but the identification of cardiac amyloidosis in this population has surged with advancing imaging techniques, introducing complexities in patient management. This case report emphasizes the pivotal role of multimodality imaging in accurately diagnosing three concurrent pathologies.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Aortic Valve Stenosis , Myocardial Infarction , Humans , Aortic Valve Stenosis/diagnosis , Aortic Valve Stenosis/diagnostic imaging , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/complications , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnostic imaging , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Aortic Valve/diagnostic imaging , Aortic Valve/pathology , Myocardial Infarction/complications
14.
Amyloid ; 31(1): 62-69, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37855400

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is an adult-onset autosomal dominant disease resulting from TTR gene pathogenic variants. ATTRv often presents as a progressive polyneuropathy, and effective ATTRv treatments are available. METHODS: In this 5 year-long (2017-2021) nationwide prospective study, we systematically analysed the TTR gene in French patients with age >50 years with a progressive idiopathic polyneuropathy. RESULTS: 553 patients (70% males) with a mean age of 70 years were included. A TTR gene pathogenic variant was found in 15 patients (2.7%), including the Val30Met TTR variation in 10 cases. In comparison with patients with no TTR gene pathogenic variants (n = 538), patients with TTR pathogenic variants more often presented with orthostatic hypotension (53 vs. 21%, p = .007), significant weight loss (33 vs 11%, p = .024) and rapidly deteriorating nerve conduction studies (26 vs. 8%, p = .03). ATTRv diagnosis led to amyloid cardiomyopathy diagnosis in 11 cases, ATTRv specific treatment in all cases and identification of 15 additional ATTRv cases among relatives. CONCLUSION: In this nationwide prospective study, we found ATTRv in 2.7% of patients with age >50 years with a progressive polyneuropathy. These results are highly important for the early identification of patients in need of disease-modifying treatments.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Polyneuropathies , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Humans , Female , Prospective Studies , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Polyneuropathies/diagnosis , Polyneuropathies/genetics , Treatment Outcome , Prealbumin/genetics
15.
Muscle Nerve ; 69(1): 99-102, 2024 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37960924

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: In the early stage, hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis predominantly affects small nerve fibers, resulting in autonomic dysfunction and impaired sensation of pain and temperature. Evaluation of small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is therefore important for early diagnosis and treatment of ATTRv amyloidosis. Herein, we aimed to investigate the accuracy of a quick and non-invasive commercial sudomotor function test (SFT) for the assessment of SFN in ATTRv amyloidosis. METHODS: We performed the SFT in 39 Japanese adults with ATTRv amyloidosis, and we analyzed the correlations between electrochemical skin conductance (ESC) values obtained via the SFT and the parameters of other neuropathy assessment methods. RESULTS: ESC in the feet demonstrated significant, moderate correlations with intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) results (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient [rs ], 0.58; p < .002) and other neuropathy assessment methods including the sensory nerve action potential amplitude in the nerve conduction studies (rs , 0.52; p < .001), the Neuropathy Impairment Score (rs , -0.45; p < .01), the heat-pain detection threshold (rs , -0.62; p < .0001), and the autonomic section of the Kumamoto ATTRv clinical score (rs , -0.53; p < .0001). DISCUSSION: In this study, we found that ESC values in the feet via the SFT demonstrated significant, moderate correlations with IENFD and other SFN assessment methods in patients with ATTRv amyloidosis, suggesting that the SFT appears to be an appropriate method for assessment of SFN in this disease.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Small Fiber Neuropathy , Adult , Humans , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/complications , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnosis , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Electrophysiological Phenomena/physiology , Nerve Fibers/physiology , Small Fiber Neuropathy/diagnosis , Small Fiber Neuropathy/etiology , Cell Count , Skin/pathology , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Japan
16.
AJR Am J Roentgenol ; 222(1): e2329347, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37315017

ABSTRACT

Amyloidoses are a complex group of clinical diseases that result from progressive organ dysfunction due to extracellular protein misfolding and deposition. The two most common types of cardiac amyloidosis are transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) and light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. Diagnosis of ATTR cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is challenging owing to its phenotypic similarity to other more common cardiac conditions, the perceived rarity of the disease, and unfamiliarity with its diagnostic algorithms; endomyocardial biopsy was historically required for diagnosis. However, myocardial scintigraphy using bone-seeking tracers has shown high accuracy for detection of ATTR-CM and has become a key noninvasive diagnostic test for the condition, receiving support from professional society guidelines and transforming prior diagnostic paradigms. This AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review describes the role of myocardial scintigraphy using bone-seeking tracers in the diagnosis of ATTR-CM. The article summarizes available tracers, acquisition techniques, interpretation and reporting considerations, diagnostic pitfalls, and gaps in the current literature. The critical need for monoclonal testing of patients with positive scintigraphy results to differentiate ATTR-CM from AL cardiac amyloidosis is highlighted. Recent updates in guideline recommendations that emphasize the importance of a qualitative visual assessment are also discussed.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Cardiomyopathies , Heart Diseases , Myocardial Perfusion Imaging , Humans , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnostic imaging , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Radionuclide Imaging , Heart Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Cardiomyopathies/diagnostic imaging
17.
Eur J Neurol ; 31(1): e16070, 2024 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37724995

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a life-threatening disease caused by mutations in the gene encoding transthyretin (TTR). The recent therapeutic advances have underlined the importance of easily accessible, objective biomarkers of both disease onset and progression. Preliminary evidence suggests a potential role in this respect for neurofilament light chain (NfL). In this study, the aim was to determine serum NfL (sNfL) levels in a late-onset ATTRv population and evaluate whether it might represent a reliable biomarker of disease onset (i.e., 'conversion' from the asymptomatic status to symptomatic disease in TTR mutation carriers). METHODS: In all, 111 individuals harbouring a pathogenic TTR variant (61 symptomatic ATTRv patients and 50 presymptomatic carriers) were consecutively enrolled. Fifty healthy volunteers were included as the control group. Ella™ apparatus was used to assess sNfL levels. RESULTS: Serum NfL levels were increased in ATTRv patients compared to both presymptomatic carriers and healthy controls, whilst not differing between carriers and healthy controls. An sNfL cut-off of 37.10 pg/mL could discriminate between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals with high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve 0.958; p < 0.001), sensitivity (81.4%) and specificity (100%). CONCLUSIONS: Serum NfL seems to be a promising biomarker of peripheral nerve involvement in ATTRv amyloidosis and might become a reliable, objective measure to detect the transition from the presymptomatic stage to the onset of symptomatic disease. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm such a role and determine whether it could equally represent a biomarker of disease progression and response to therapy.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Intermediate Filaments , Humans , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnosis , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Longitudinal Studies , Biomarkers
20.
Stem Cell Res ; 72: 103215, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37788558

ABSTRACT

Specific mutations in the TTR gene are responsible for the development of variant (hereditary) ATTR amyloidosis. Here, we generated two human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from patients diagnosed with Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) carrying heterozygous mutation in the TTR gene (i.e., p.Val30Met). The patient-derived iPSC lines showed expression of high levels of pluripotency markers, trilineage differentiation capacity, and normal karyotype. The generation of these iPSC lines represents a great tool for modeling patient-specific amyloidosis in vitro, allowing the investigation of the pathological mechanisms related to the disease in different cell types and tissues.


Subject(s)
Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells , Humans , Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/genetics , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/diagnosis , Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial/pathology , Prealbumin/genetics , Prealbumin/metabolism , Mutation/genetics , Cell Differentiation
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