Research - 1st Abstract

Presented at the American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting, Oct. 2006

A cohort of patients with generalized Fibromuscular Dysplasia and features of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A new phenotype. N.B. McDonnell¹, J. Yang¹, W. Chen¹, B. Griswold¹, C.A. Francomano^1,2. 1) National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD; 2) Harvey Inst Human Gen, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD.
   

The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a heterogeneous group of hereditary disorders of connective tissue. Vascular dissections and aneurysms are a cardinal feature of the vascular form of EDS (VEDS) caused by mutations in COL3A1. Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a closely related phenotype, is caused by mutations in TGFBR1 or TGFBR2. We have identified a group of patients without mutations in COL3A1, TGFBR1 or TGFBR2 who presented with arterial dissections and aneurysms as well as stenotic lesions with a diagnosis of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) by pathology or radiology. Varying features of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, such as atrophic scars, velvety or stretchy skin, joint hypermobility as evidenced by a high Beighton score, history of articular dislocations, uterine prolapse, joint pain, pectus deformities, pes planus and scoliosis were also present. Several of the patients had a family history of premature death from vascular events, as well as a family history of joint and skin abnormalities compatible with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. There were no reports of uterine or bowel rupture, or pregnancy related death in personal or family histories. The facial features were not characteristic of VEDS or Loeys-Dietz syndrome. The first patient identified was a 44 year old woman who had a history of carotid dissection, ruptured cerebral aneurysms, FMD of renal arteries and iliac vessels, multiple atrophic scars, frequent joint dislocations, and stretchy and doughy skin. A cohort of thirty patients with this syndrome has been identified and detailed phenotype and family history information has been assembled. The etiology of fibromuscular dysplasia is thought to be heterogeneous, with genetic and environmental factors proposed as possible contributors. Our findings suggest that there is a previously unrecognized variant of EDS, distinct from the VEDS and Loeys-Dietz syndrome, with FMD as a major clinical feature in addition to the skin and joint abnormalities.

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