Complement C1Q polymorphisms modulate onset in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy TTR Val30Met

Efthimios Dardiotis, Pantelitsa Koutsou, Eleni Zamba-Papanicolaou, Ilia Vonta, Marilena Hadjivassiliou, Georgios Hadjigeorgiou, Marios Cariolou, Kyproula Christodoulou, Theodoros Kyriakides

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) TTR Val30Met is a lethal autosomal dominant sensorimotor and autonomic neuropathy due to a substitution of methionine for valine at position 30 of the transthyretin (TTR) gene. Amyloid, composed of mutated TTR, is deposited in the peripheral nervous system, myocardium and kidneys. Considerable variability in the age of onset and penetrance of the disease occurs in different countries. Penetrance in Sweden, Cyprus and Portugal is 2%, 28% and 80% respectively. Environmental and genetic factors are believed to contribute to this variability. So far, no single modifier gene has been unequivocally associated with age of onset or penetrance. Methods: Candidate modifier genes were chosen from among those coding for chaperone proteins co-localized with TTR deposits in peripheral nerves. Seventy one TTRVal30Met carriers, 51 affected and 20 asymptomatic, belonging to 22 unrelated Greek-Cypriot families, and 59 normal controls were recruited for this study. Sequencing of the coding regions of TTR, serum amyloid P (APCS) and complement C1Q (A, B and C) genes was performed and APOE genotypes were determined. We searched for correlations between various polymorphisms of chaperone proteins and age of disease onset. Results: Four new and 4 previously described single nucleotide substitutions were identified. One polymorphic site in C1QA (rs172378) and one in C1QC (rs9434) as well as the ε2 allele correlated with age of onset (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study has identified polymorphisms which may influence the FAP-TTR Val30Met phenotype. Identifying modifier genes and their protein products may contribute to therapeutic advances.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)158-162
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of the Neurological Sciences
Volume284
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2009

Keywords

  • Familial amyloidotic neuropathy
  • Modifier genes
  • Transthyretin
  • TTR Val30Met

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