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Chao CC, Tzeng SR, Chiang MC, Hsueh HW, Hsieh WJ, Chao YC, Cheng MF, Lin YH, Su MY, Huang CH, Wang YS, Hsieh MF, Tseng PH, Hsieh ST. Diflunisal versus tafamidis on neuropathy and cardiomyopathy in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024. [PMID: 39096004 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.52158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTRv) is frequently complicated by polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) and cardiomyopathy (ATTRv-CM). The long-term efficacy of diflunisal on both polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy in ATTRv patients, especially those with non-V30M genotypes, has not been fully investigated and compared with that of tafamidis. METHODS We compared the structural and biochemical characteristics of A97S-TTR complexed with tafamidis with those of diflunisal, and prospectively followed up and compared the progression of polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy between ATTRv-PN patients taking diflunisal and those taking tafamidis. RESULTS Both diflunisal and tafamidis effectively bind to the two thyroxine-binding sites at the A97S-TTR dimer-dimer interface and equally and almost sufficiently reduce amyloid fibril formation. Thirty-five ATTRv-PN patients receiving diflunisal and 22 patients receiving tafamidis were enrolled. Compared with no treatment, diflunisal treatment significantly delayed the transition of FAP Stage 1 to 2 and Stage 2 to 3 and decreased the deterioration in parameters of the ulnar nerve conduction study (NCS). The progression of FAP stage or NCS parameters did not differ between patients treated with diflunisal and those treated with tafamidis. Both diflunisal and tafamidis treatments significantly decreased radiotracer uptake on 99mTc-PYP SPECT and stabilized cardiac wall thickness and blood pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels. No significant adverse events occurred during diflunisal or tafamidis treatment. INTERPRETATIONS The binding patterns of both tafamidis and diflunisal to A97S-TTR closely resembled those observed in the wild type. Diflunisal can effectively delay the progression of polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy with similar efficacy to tafamidis and may become a cost-effective alternative treatment for late-onset ATTRv-PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Chao Chao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiou-Ru Tzeng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chang Chiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wen Hsueh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Jen Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Chun Chao
- Department of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Fang Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hung Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mao-Yuan Su
- Department of Medical Imaging, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Huang
- Protein Diffraction Group, Experimental Facility Division, National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Shiang Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Fang Hsieh
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Huei Tseng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Tsang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Su TJ, Lin CHJ, Liu YL, Hsueh HW, Hsieh ST, Chao CC, Chiang MC. Altered connectivity of central autonomic network: effects of dysautonomia in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Amyloid 2024:1-9. [PMID: 39044725 DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2024.2383450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN) is a progressive fatal disorder caused by deposition of mutant transthyretin (TTR) amyloids mainly in the nerves and heart. Autonomic dysfunction is a major disabling manifestation, affecting 90% of patients with late-onset ATTRv-PN. The current study aimed to investigate brain functional alterations associated with dysautonomia due to peripheral autonomic nerve degeneration in ATTRv-PN. METHODS Resting-state functional MRI data were acquired from 43 ATTRv-PN patients predominantly of A97S (p.A117S) genotype, and the functional connectivity of central autonomic regions was assessed. RESULTS Compared with age-matched healthy controls, the ATTRv-PN patients exhibited (1) reduced functional connectivity of the central autonomic regions such as hypothalamus, amygdala, anterior insula, and middle cingulate cortex with brain areas of the limbic, frontal, and somatosensory systems, and (2) correlations of reduced functional autonomic connectivity with the severity of autonomic dysfunction especially orthostatic intolerance, decreased heart rate variability, and greater clinical disability. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence linking peripheral autonomic dysfunction with altered connectivity in the central autonomic network in ATTRv-PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Jou Su
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Ho Janice Lin
- Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Yeong-An Orthopedic and Physical Therapy Clinic, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Lin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wen Hsueh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Tsang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- Center of Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chao Chao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chang Chiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Taub DG, Woolf CJ. Age-dependent small fiber neuropathy: Mechanistic insights from animal models. Exp Neurol 2024; 377:114811. [PMID: 38723859 PMCID: PMC11131160 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a common and debilitating disease in which the terminals of small diameter sensory axons degenerate, producing sensory loss, and in many patients neuropathic pain. While a substantial number of cases are attributable to diabetes, almost 50% are idiopathic. An underappreciated aspect of the disease is its late onset in most patients. Animal models of human genetic mutations that produce SFN also display age-dependent phenotypes suggesting that aging is an important contributor to the risk of development of the disease. In this review we define how particular sensory neurons are affected in SFN and discuss how aging may drive the disease. We also evaluate how animal models of SFN can define disease mechanisms that will provide insight into early risk detection and suggest novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Taub
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center and Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Clifford J Woolf
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center and Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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4
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Tan SY, Tan CY, Yahya MA, Low SC, Shahrizaila N, Goh KJ. Quantitative muscle ultrasound as a disease biomarker in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:3449-3459. [PMID: 38270729 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07340-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an increasing need for a reproducible and sensitive outcome measure in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) with polyneuropathy (PN) due to the emergence of disease modifying therapies. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the role of quantitative muscle ultrasound (QMUS) as a disease biomarker in ATTRv-PN. METHODS Twenty genetically confirmed ATTRv amyloidosis patients (nine symptomatic, 11 pre-symptomatic) were enrolled prospectively between January to March 2023. Muscle ultrasound was performed on six muscles at standardized locations. QMUS parameters included muscle thickness (MT) and muscle echo intensity (EI). Twenty-five age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for comparison. Significant QMUS parameters were correlated with clinical outcome measures. RESULTS Muscle volume of first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle [measured as cross-sectional area (CSA)] was significantly lower in symptomatic patients compared to healthy controls and pre-symptomatic carriers (98.3 ± 58.0 vs. 184.4 ± 42.5 vs. 198.3 ± 56.8, p < 0.001). EI of biceps and FDI for symptomatic ATTRv-PN patients were significantly higher compared to the other two groups (biceps: 76.4 ± 10.8 vs. 63.2 ± 11.5 vs. 59.2 ± 9.0, p = 0.002; FDI: 48.2 ± 7.5 vs. 38.8 ± 7.5 vs. 33.0 ± 5.3, p < 0.001). CSA of FDI and EI of biceps and FDI correlated with previous validated outcome measures [polyneuropathy disability score, neuropathy impairment score, Karnofsky performance scale, Rasch-built overall disability scale, European quality of life (QoL)-5 dimensions and Norfolk QoL questionnaire-diabetic neuropathy]. CONCLUSION QMUS revealed significant difference between ATTRv amyloidosis patients and healthy controls and showed strong correlation with clinical outcome measures. QMUS serves as a sensitive and reliable biomarker of disease severity in ATTRv-PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew Yin Tan
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cheng Yin Tan
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Azly Yahya
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Soon Chai Low
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nortina Shahrizaila
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Khean Jin Goh
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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González-Moreno J, Galán Dávila L, Gonzalez-Lopez E, Conceiçao I. Recommendations update for the diagnosis and treatment of transthyretin variant amyloidosis (ATTRv). Med Clin (Barc) 2024:S0025-7753(24)00269-0. [PMID: 38897900 DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2024.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Juan González-Moreno
- Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Son Llàtzer. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Illes Balears (idISBA), Palma de Mallorca, España.
| | - Lucía Galán Dávila
- Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, España
| | - Esther Gonzalez-Lopez
- Unidad de Cardiopatías Familiares e Insuficiencia Cardíaca, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, CIBERCV, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | - Isabel Conceiçao
- Serviço de Neurologia, Departamento de Neurociências, Hospital de Santa Maria (CHULN). Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Uncini A, Cavallaro T, Fabrizi GM, Manganelli F, Vallat JM. Conduction slowing, conduction block and temporal dispersion in demyelinating, dysmyelinating and axonal neuropathies: Electrophysiology meets pathology. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2024; 29:135-160. [PMID: 38600691 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Nerve conduction studies are usually the first diagnostic step in peripheral nerve disorders and their results are the basis for planning further investigations. However, there are some commonplaces in the interpretation of electrodiagnostic findings in peripheral neuropathies that, although useful in the everyday practice, may be misleading: (1) conduction block and abnormal temporal dispersion are distinctive features of acquired demyelinating disorders; (2) hereditary neuropathies are characterized by uniform slowing of conduction velocity; (3) axonal neuropathies are simply diagnosed by reduced amplitude of motor and sensory nerve action potentials with normal or slightly slow conduction velocity. In this review, we reappraise the occurrence of uniform and non-uniform conduction velocity slowing, conduction block and temporal dispersion in demyelinating, dysmyelinating and axonal neuropathies attempting, with a translational approach, a correlation between electrophysiological and pathological features as derived from sensory nerve biopsy in patients and animal models. Additionally, we provide some hints to navigate in this complex field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Uncini
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti-Pescara, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cavallaro
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gian Maria Fabrizi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Jean-Michel Vallat
- Department of Neurology, National Reference Center for "Rare Peripheral Neuropathies", CHU Dupuytren, Limoges, France
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Sarmiento Palma JV, Sambracos Parrado S, Echeverria MC, Ruiz Talero P. Polyneuropathy as an initial manifestation of Hereditary Transtyretin Amyloidosis (ATTRV) in a young patient: Case report of a diagnostic challenge. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-CASE REPORTS 2024; 17:11795476241253106. [PMID: 38756680 PMCID: PMC11097722 DOI: 10.1177/11795476241253106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
We report the case of a 27-year-old man with transthyretin amyloidosis secondary to the p.Val142Ile mutation with an atypical clinical presentation of predominantly lower limb polyneuropathy without cardiac involvement. p.Val142Ile is mainly associated with cardiopathy, whereas the neuropathic phenotype is mainly associated with p.Val50Met. Our patient belongs to a non-endemic region and due to his lack of support network a possible familial component is unknown. His case represents a diagnostic challenge given the wide heterogeneity of clinical manifestations associated with the disease, with other possible diagnoses of polyneuropathy being reasonably excluded according to prevalence and frequency. The particularly unusual genotype-phenotype association distinguishes this case from the classic description of transthyretin amyloidosis secondary to p.Val142Ile.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paula Ruiz Talero
- Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, School of Medicine, Bogotá, Colombia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia
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8
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Pernice HF, Knorz AL, Wetzel PJ, Herrmann C, Muratovic H, Rieber F, Asaad E, Fiß G, Barzen G, Blüthner E, Knebel F, Spethmann S, Messroghli D, Heidecker B, Brand A, Wetz C, Tschöpe C, Hahn K. Neurological affection and serum neurofilament light chain in wild type transthyretin amyloidosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10111. [PMID: 38698025 PMCID: PMC11066119 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60025-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to inherited transthyretin amyloidosis (A-ATTRv), neuropathy is not a classic leading symptom of wild type transthyretin amyloidosis (A-ATTRwt). However, neurological symptoms are increasingly relevant in A-ATTRwt as well. To better understand the role of neurological symptoms in A-ATTRwt, A-ATTRwt patients were prospectively characterized at Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB) between 2018 and 2023 using detailed neurological examination, quality of life questionnaires, and analysis of age- and BMI-adapted serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels. 16 out of 73 (21.9%) patients presented with a severe neuropathy which we defined by a Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) of 20 or more. In this group, quality of life was reduced, peripheral neuropathy was more severe, and spinal stenosis and joint replacements were frequent. Age- and BMI matched serum NFL levels were markedly elevated in patients with a NIS ≥ 20. We therefore conclude that highly abnormal values in neuropathy scores such as the NIS occur in A-ATTRwt, and have an important impact on quality of life. Both peripheral neuropathy and spinal canal stenosis are likely contributors. Serum NFL may serve as a biomarker for neurological affection in patients with A-ATTRwt. It will be important to consider neurological aspects of A-ATTRwt for diagnosis, clinical follow-up, and future treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena F Pernice
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Adrian L Knorz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul J Wetzel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carolin Herrmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harisa Muratovic
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Finn Rieber
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eleonora Asaad
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gunnar Fiß
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gina Barzen
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Blüthner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Medical Clinic m.S. Hepatology and Gastroenterology CCM/CVK, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fabian Knebel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Klinik für Innere Medizin mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie, Sana Klinikum Lichtenberg, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Spethmann
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Messroghli
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Heidecker
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Brand
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christoph Wetz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Tschöpe
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Hahn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH)-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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Zambon AA, Falzone YM, Bolino A, Previtali SC. Molecular mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for neuromuscular diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:198. [PMID: 38678519 PMCID: PMC11056344 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05229-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases encompass a heterogeneous array of disorders characterized by varying onset ages, clinical presentations, severity, and progression. While these conditions can stem from acquired or inherited causes, this review specifically focuses on disorders arising from genetic abnormalities, excluding metabolic conditions. The pathogenic defect may primarily affect the anterior horn cells, the axonal or myelin component of peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction, or skeletal and/or cardiac muscles. While inherited neuromuscular disorders have been historically deemed not treatable, the advent of gene-based and molecular therapies is reshaping the treatment landscape for this group of condition. With the caveat that many products still fail to translate the positive results obtained in pre-clinical models to humans, both the technological development (e.g., implementation of tissue-specific vectors) as well as advances on the knowledge of pathogenetic mechanisms form a collective foundation for potentially curative approaches to these debilitating conditions. This review delineates the current panorama of therapies targeting the most prevalent forms of inherited neuromuscular diseases, emphasizing approved treatments and those already undergoing human testing, offering insights into the state-of-the-art interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Andrea Zambon
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Yuri Matteo Falzone
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bolino
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Carlo Previtali
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Institute for Experimental Neurology, Inspe, Milan, Italy.
- Neurology Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Tozza S, Palumbo G, Severi D, Iovino A, Spina E, Aruta F, Cassano E, Iodice R, Dubbioso R, Ruggiero L, Nolano M, Santoro L, Manganelli F. Heterogenous electrophysiological features in early stage of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis neuropathy. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1685-1689. [PMID: 37870643 PMCID: PMC10942904 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07140-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTRv, v for variant) is a progressive disease caused by mutations in the TTR gene, leading to sensory-motor, axonal and length-dependent neuropathy. However, some patients may show variable electrophysiological pattern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the electrophysiological features of TTR amyloid neuropathy at the time of the first nerve conduction study (NCS) to assess whether there were distinguishing features useful for early diagnosis. METHODS We retrospectively revised the first electrophysiological findings of ATTRv patients, and we categorized the neuropathy based on nerve conduction slowing, type of involved fibres and distribution pattern of PNS involvement. Cluster analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence of neuropathy features between the early and late stage of disease, based on disease duration and disability burden assessed by NIS. RESULTS We recruited 33 patients (27 males) with mean age 63.9 ± 10.8 years, mean disease duration 2.8 ± 2.4 years and mean NIS 47.6 ± 41.8. Overall, the frequency analysis showed that the most common features of ATTRv neuropathy included the categories of axonal, sensory-motor and neuronopathic-like pattern. This electrophysiological pattern of PNS involvement was constant in patients in late stage of disease, whereas ATTRv patients in early stage of disease displayed variable electrophysiological pattern of PNS involvement. DISCUSSION Our findings demonstrated that ATTRv neuropathy may present at first NCS in a variable way, and it changes over the course of disease. Such heterogeneity makes the suspicion of ATTRv even more challenging at the time of first electrophysiological examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Palumbo
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele Severi
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Iovino
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Spina
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Aruta
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cassano
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Nolano
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Yeh S, Yeh T, Wang Y, Chao C, Tzeng S, Tang T, Hsieh J, Kan Y, Yang W, Hsieh S. Nerve pathology of microangiopathy and thromboinflammation in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:30-44. [PMID: 37902278 PMCID: PMC10791016 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite amyloid deposition as a hallmark of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) with polyneuropathy, this pathology could not completely account for nerve degeneration. ATTRv patients frequently have vasomotor symptoms, but microangiopathy hypothesis in ATTRv was not systemically clarified. METHODS This study examined the vascular pathology of sural nerves in ATTRv patients with transthyretin (TTR) mutation of p.Ala117Ser (TTR-A97S), focusing on morphometry and patterns of molecular expression in relation to nerve degeneration. We further applied human microvascular endothelial cell (HMEC-1) culture to examine the direct effect of TTR-A97S protein on endothelial cells. RESULTS In ATTRv nerves, there was characteristic microangiopathy compared to controls: increased vessel wall thickness and decreased luminal area; both were correlated with the reduction of myelinated fiber density. Among the components of vascular wall, the area of collagen IV in ATTRv nerves was larger than that of controls. This finding was validated in a cell model of HMEC-1 culture in which the expression of collagen IV was upregulated after exposure to TTR-A97S. Apoptosis contributed to the endothelial cell degeneration of microvasculatures in ATTRv endoneurium. ATTRv showed prothrombotic status with intravascular fibrin deposition, which was correlated with (1) increased tissue factor and coagulation factor XIIIA and (2) reduced tissue plasminogen activator. This cascade led to intravascular thrombin deposition, which was colocalized with upregulated p-selectin and thrombomodulin, accompanied by complement deposition and macrophages infiltration, indicating thromboinflammation in ATTRv. INTERPRETATION Microangiopathy with thromboinflammation is characteristic of advanced-stage ATTRv nerves, which provides an add-on mechanism and therapeutic target for nerve degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin‐Joe Yeh
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ti‐Yen Yeh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologyNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yi‐Shiang Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Chao Chao
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Shiou‐Ru Tzeng
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Tsz‐Yi Tang
- Department of UrologyKaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
- Department of UrologyKaohsiung Municipal Siaogang HospitalKaohsiungTaiwan
| | - Jung‐Hsien Hsieh
- Department of SurgeryNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Yu Kan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of MedicineCollege of Medicine, Taipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Sun Yat‐Sen UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
| | - Wei‐Kang Yang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologyNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Sung‐Tsang Hsieh
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologyNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
- Center of Precision MedicineNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
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Poli L, Labella B, Cotti Piccinelli S, Caria F, Risi B, Damioli S, Padovani A, Filosto M. Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: a comprehensive review with a focus on peripheral neuropathy. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1242815. [PMID: 37869146 PMCID: PMC10585157 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1242815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloidoses represent a group of diseases characterized by the pathological accumulation in the extracellular area of insoluble misfolded protein material called "amyloid". The damage to the tissue organization and the direct toxicity of the amyloidogenic substrates induce progressive dysfunctions in the organs involved. They are usually multisystem diseases involving several vital organs, such as the peripheral nerves, heart, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin, and eyes. Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is related to abnormalities of transthyretin (TTR), a protein that acts as a transporter of thyroxine and retinol and is produced predominantly in the liver. ATTR is classified as hereditary (ATTRv) and wild type (ATTRwt). ATTRv is a severe systemic disease of adults caused by mutations in the TTR gene and transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner with incomplete penetrance. Some pathogenic variants in TTR are preferentially associated with a neurological phenotype (progressive peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy); others are more frequently associated with restrictive heart failure. However, many mutations express a mixed phenotype with neurological and cardiological involvement. ATTRv is now a treatable disease. A timely and definite diagnosis is essential in view of the availability of effective therapies that have revolutionized the management of affected patients. The purpose of this review is to familiarize the clinician with the disease and with the correct diagnostic pathways in order to obtain an early diagnosis and, consequently, the possibility of an adequate treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loris Poli
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Labella
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Cotti Piccinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Filomena Caria
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Barbara Risi
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Simona Damioli
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Unit of Neurology, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
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13
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Plantone D, Primiano G, Righi D, Romano A, Luigetti M, De Stefano N. Current Evidence Supporting the Role of Immune Response in ATTRv Amyloidosis. Cells 2023; 12:2383. [PMID: 37830598 PMCID: PMC10572348 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, also known as familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), represents a progressive, heterogeneous, severe, and multisystemic disease caused by pathogenic variants in the TTR gene. This autosomal-dominant neurogenetic disorder has an adult onset with variable penetrance and an inconstant phenotype, even among subjects carrying the same mutation. Historically, ATTRv amyloidosis has been viewed as a non-inflammatory disease, mainly due to the absence of any mononuclear cell infiltration in ex vivo tissues; nevertheless, a role of inflammation in its pathogenesis has been recently highlighted. The immune response may be involved in the development and progression of the disease. Fibrillary TTR species bind to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), probably activating the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. Moreover, peripheral blood levels of several cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-gamma, IFN-alpha, IL-6, IL-7, and IL-33, are altered in the course of the disease. This review summarizes the current evidence supporting the role of the immune response in ATTRv amyloidosis, from the pathological mechanisms to the possible therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Plantone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.R.); (N.D.S.)
| | - Guido Primiano
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Organi di Senso e Torace, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (A.R.); (M.L.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Delia Righi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.R.); (N.D.S.)
| | - Angela Romano
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Organi di Senso e Torace, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (A.R.); (M.L.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Organi di Senso e Torace, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (A.R.); (M.L.)
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola De Stefano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (D.R.); (N.D.S.)
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14
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Stecker MM, Srivastava A, Reiss AB. Amyloid-β Effects on Peripheral Nerve: A New Model System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14488. [PMID: 37833938 PMCID: PMC10572603 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Although there are many biochemical methods to measure amyloid-β (Aβ)42 concentration, one of the critical issues in the study of the effects of Aβ42 on the nervous system is a simple physiological measurement. The in vitro rat sciatic nerve model is employed and the nerve action potential (NAP) is quantified with different stimuli while exposed to different concentrations of Aβ42. Aβ42 predominantly reduces the NAP amplitude with minimal effects on other parameters except at low stimulus currents and short inter-stimulus intervals. The effects of Aβ42 are significantly concentration-dependent, with a maximum reduction in NAP amplitude at a concentration of 70 nM and smaller effects on the NAP amplitude at higher and lower concentrations. However, even physiologic concentrations in the range of 70 pM did reduce the NAP amplitude. The effects of Aβ42 became maximal 5-8 h after exposure and did not reverse during a 30 min washout period. The in vitro rat sciatic nerve model is sensitive to the effects of physiologic concentrations of Aβ42. These experiments suggest that the effect of Aβ42 is a very complex function of concentration that may be the result of amyloid-related changes in membrane properties or sodium channels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ankita Srivastava
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Long Island, NY 11501, USA; (A.S.); (A.B.R.)
| | - Allison B. Reiss
- Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Long Island, NY 11501, USA; (A.S.); (A.B.R.)
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Pernice HF, Hahn K. [Neurological manifestations of ATTR amyloidosis]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 64:848-854. [PMID: 37555967 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01570-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a rare disease in which the protein transthyretin (TTR) is deposited in the form of amyloid fibrils in various tissues and organs and secondarily leads to functional impairment, especially in peripheral nerves and the heart. A differentiation is made between hereditary and sporadic forms. The hereditary variant is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and usually occurs in the younger to middle-aged, while the sporadic form occurs in older age and has no known genetic cause. Typical signs of hereditary ATTR amyloidosis (ATTRv, v for variant) include a rapidly progressing sensorimotor and autonomic polyneuropathy (PNP), cardiac dysfunction as well as ocular and gastrointestinal symptoms. A carpal tunnel syndrome often precedes the manifestation. Various options (tafamidis, patisiran, inotersen or vutrisiran) are available for the treatment of patients with ATTRv with PNP in Germany, depending on the severity. In the sporadic variant of wild-type ATTR amyloidosis (ATTRwt), symptoms of progressive cardiomyopathy are usually prominent; however, neurological assessment of these patients often also reveals a concomitant sensory ataxic PNP. The tetramer stabilizer tafamidis can be used for treatment. Because of this complex presentation, the management of patients with ATTR amyloidosis should be performed in interdisciplinary centers specialized in amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena F Pernice
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland
- Klinik für Neurologie mit Experimenteller Neurologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Katrin Hahn
- Amyloidosis Center Charité Berlin (ACCB), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Klinik für Neurologie mit Experimenteller Neurologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH), Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Di Stefano V, Prinzi F, Luigetti M, Russo M, Tozza S, Alonge P, Romano A, Sciarrone MA, Vitali F, Mazzeo A, Gentile L, Palumbo G, Manganelli F, Vitabile S, Brighina F. Machine Learning for Early Diagnosis of ATTRv Amyloidosis in Non-Endemic Areas: A Multicenter Study from Italy. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050805. [PMID: 37239276 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv) is an adult-onset multisystemic disease, affecting the peripheral nerves, heart, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and kidneys. Nowadays, several treatment options are available; thus, avoiding misdiagnosis is crucial to starting therapy in early disease stages. However, clinical diagnosis may be difficult, as the disease may present with unspecific symptoms and signs. We hypothesize that the diagnostic process may benefit from the use of machine learning (ML). METHODS 397 patients referring to neuromuscular clinics in 4 centers from the south of Italy with neuropathy and at least 1 more red flag, as well as undergoing genetic testing for ATTRv, were considered. Then, only probands were considered for analysis. Hence, a cohort of 184 patients, 93 with positive and 91 (age- and sex-matched) with negative genetics, was considered for the classification task. The XGBoost (XGB) algorithm was trained to classify positive and negative TTR mutation patients. The SHAP method was used as an explainable artificial intelligence algorithm to interpret the model findings. RESULTS diabetes, gender, unexplained weight loss, cardiomyopathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), ocular symptoms, autonomic symptoms, ataxia, renal dysfunction, lumbar canal stenosis, and history of autoimmunity were used for the model training. The XGB model showed an accuracy of 0.707 ± 0.101, a sensitivity of 0.712 ± 0.147, a specificity of 0.704 ± 0.150, and an AUC-ROC of 0.752 ± 0.107. Using the SHAP explanation, it was confirmed that unexplained weight loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiomyopathy showed a significant association with the genetic diagnosis of ATTRv, while bilateral CTS, diabetes, autoimmunity, and ocular and renal involvement were associated with a negative genetic test. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that ML might potentially be a useful instrument to identify patients with neuropathy that should undergo genetic testing for ATTRv. Unexplained weight loss and cardiomyopathy are relevant red flags in ATTRv in the south of Italy. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Prinzi
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli-IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98182 Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Alonge
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Angela Romano
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli-IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Ausilia Sciarrone
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli-IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Vitali
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A, Gemelli-IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Mazzeo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98182 Messina, Italy
| | - Luca Gentile
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98182 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palumbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Vitabile
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippo Brighina
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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Monfort A, Thevenet E, Enette L, Fagour C, Inamo J, Neviere R. The ventilatory component of the muscle metaboreflex is overstimulated in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis patients with poor aerobic capacity. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1174645. [PMID: 37256072 PMCID: PMC10225564 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1174645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The exercise pressor reflex, i.e., metabo- and mechano-reflex, partially regulates the control of ventilation and cardiovascular function during exercise. Abnormal exercise pressor reflex response has been associated with exaggerated ventilatory drive, sympathovagal imbalance and exercise limitation in chronic heart failure patients. Whether metaboreflex is over-activated and participate to poor aerobic capacity in patients with hereditary transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (CA-TTR) is unknown. Methods: Twenty-two CA-TTR patients (aged 76 ± 7, 68% male) with the V122I (p.Val142Ile) transthyretin underwent a thorough evaluation including heart rate variability metrics, electrochemical skin conductance (ESC), physical function cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and muscle metaboreflex assessment. Eleven control subjects were chosen for muscle metaboreflex assessment. Results: Age-matched controls (n = 11) and CA-TTR patients (n = 22) had similar metaboreflex sensitivity for heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac index and mean systemic arterial pressure. Compared with age-matched controls, metaboreflex sensitivity for systemic vascular resistance (-18.64% ± 6.91% vs 3.14% ± 23.35%) and minute-ventilation responses (-9.65% ± 14.83% vs 11.84% ± 23.1%) was markedly increased in CA-TTR patients. Values of ESC displayed positive correlations with stroke volume (r = 0.53, p = 0.011) and cardiac index (r = 0.51, p = 0.015) components of metaboreflex sensitivity, an inverse correlation with systemic vascular resistance (r = -0.55, p = 0.008) and a trend with mean arterial (r = -0.42, p = 0.052) components of metaboreflex sensitivity. Peak aerobic capacity (peak VO2%) displayed an inverse correlation with the ventilation component of metaboreflex sensitivity (r = -0.62, p = 0.015). Conclusion: Consistent with the "muscle hypothesis" in heart failure, it is proposed that deterioration of skeletal muscle function in hereditary CA-TTR patients may activate muscle metaboreflex, leading to an increase in ventilation and sensation of breathlessness, the perception of fatigue, and overall sympathetic activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Monfort
- Department of Cardiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), Fort de France, France
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, Université des Antilles, Fort de France, France
| | - Eugenie Thevenet
- Department of Cardiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), Fort de France, France
| | - Lievyn Enette
- Department of Endocrinology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), Fort de France, France
- Department of Clinical Physiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), Fort de France, France
| | - Cedric Fagour
- Department of Endocrinology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), Fort de France, France
| | - Jocelyn Inamo
- Department of Cardiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), Fort de France, France
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, Université des Antilles, Fort de France, France
| | - Remi Neviere
- Cardiovascular Research Team EA7525, Université des Antilles, Fort de France, France
- Department of Clinical Physiology, CHU Martinique (University Hospital of Martinique), Fort de France, France
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18
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Severi D, Palumbo G, Spina E, Iovino A, Nolano M, Manganelli F, Tozza S. A case of severe increase of liver enzymes in a ATTRv patient after one year of inotersen treatment. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:1419-1422. [PMID: 36576645 PMCID: PMC9795110 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06568-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inotersen is an antisense oligonucleotide used to treat hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv). The most common drug-related adverse effects (AEs) include thrombocytopenia and glomerulonephritis. Hepatic damage is rare, but liver enzyme monitoring is mandatory. CASE REPORT A 70-year-old man with ATTRv (Val30Met) treated with inotersen developed a severe increase of transaminases, with normal bilirubin and cholinesterase levels, that forced us to stop therapy. At the same time, other causes of acquired hepatitis were excluded, and the hypothesis of an inotersen-related hepatic toxicity was supported by the normalization of liver enzymes after 40 days from the drug interruption. DISCUSSION Our case showed that 1-year inotersen treatment can stabilize neurological impairment and even improve quality of life and suggests to carefully monitor liver enzymes in order to avoid an inotersen-related hepatic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Severi
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Palumbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Spina
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Iovino
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Nolano
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Neurology Department, Skin Biopsy Laboratory, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Telese Terme, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
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Chan ACY, Kumar S, Tan G, Wong HY, Ong JJY, Chandra B, Huang H, Sharma VK, Lai PS. Expanding the genetic causes of small-fiber neuropathy: SCN genes and beyond. Muscle Nerve 2023; 67:259-271. [PMID: 36448457 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a disorder that exclusively affects the small nerve fibers, sparing the large nerve fibers. Thinly myelinated Aδ-fibers and unmyelinated C-fibers are damaged, leading to development of neuropathic pain, thermal dysfunction, sensory symptoms, and autonomic disturbances. Although many SFNs are secondary and due to immunological causes or metabolic disturbances, the etiology is unknown in up to half of the patients. Over the years, this proportion of "idiopathic SFN" has decreased, as familial and genetic causes have been discovered, thus shifting a proportion of once "idiopathic" cases to the genetic category. After the discovery of SCN9A-gene variants in 2012, SCN10A and SCN11A variants have been found to be pathogenic in SFN. With improved accessibility of SFN diagnostic tools and genetic tests, many non-SCN variants and genetically inherited systemic diseases involving the small nerve fibers have also been described, but only scattered throughout the literature. There are 80 SCN variants described as causing SFN, 8 genes causing hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathies (HSAN) described with pure SFN, and at least 7 genes involved in genetically inherited systemic diseases associated with SFN. This systematic review aims to consolidate and provide an updated overview on the genetic variants of SFN to date---SCN genes and beyond. Awareness of these genetic causes of SFN is imperative for providing treatment directions, prognostication, and management of expectations for patients and their health-care providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C Y Chan
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shivaram Kumar
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Grace Tan
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hiu Yi Wong
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jonathan J Y Ong
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bharatendu Chandra
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Hua Huang
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vijay Kumar Sharma
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Poh San Lai
- Yong Loo Ling School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Adjunct Faculty, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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20
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Hens D, Wyers L, Claeys KG. Validation of an Artificial Intelligence driven framework to automatically detect red flag symptoms in screening for rare diseases in electronic health records: hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis polyneuropathy as a key example. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:79-85. [PMID: 36468607 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Rare life-threatening conditions, such as multisystemic hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) polyneuropathy, are often underdiagnosed or diagnosed late in the disease course, although early diagnosis is crucial for treatment success. Red flag symptoms have been identified, but manual screening of multidisciplinary medical records on this set of symptoms is time-consuming. This study aimed to validate a Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithm to perform such a search in an automated manner, in order to improve early diagnosis and treatment. A novel state-of-the-art NLP procedure was applied to extract red flag symptoms from patients' electronic medical records and to select patients at risk for ATTRv polyneuropathy for further clinical review. Accuracy of the algorithm was assessed through comparison with a manual standard on a random sample of 300 patients. Out of a retrospective sample of 1015 patients, the NLP algorithm yielded 128 patients with three or more red flag symptoms of which 69 patients were considered eligible for genetic testing after clinical review. High accuracy was found in the detection of red flag symptoms, with F1 scores between 0.88 and 0.98. A relative increase of 48.6% in genetic testing, to identify patients with a rare disease earlier, was demonstrated. An NLP algorithm, after clinical validation, offers a valid and accurate tool to detect red flag symptoms in medical records across multiple disciplines, supporting better screening for patients with rare diseases. This opens the door to further NLP applications, facilitating rapid diagnosis and early treatment of rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kristl G Claeys
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Muscle Diseases and Neuropathies, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, and Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
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21
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Tozza S, Luigetti M, Antonini G, Mazzeo A, Severi D, Di Paolantonio A, Leonardi L, Russo M, Romano A, Forcina F, Gentile L, Nolano M, Mattia C, Manganelli F. Neuropathic pain experience in symptomatic and presymptomatic subjects carrying a transthyretin gene mutation. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1109782. [PMID: 36846120 PMCID: PMC9944934 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1109782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pain is a common symptom of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv), however, its occurrence in late-onset ATTRv has not been investigated thoroughly. Our aim was to describe the pain experience and its impact on quality of life (QoL) in symptomatic patients and presymptomatic carriers harboring a transthyretin (TTR) gene mutation with a late-onset phenotype. Materials and methods Study participants (aged ≥18 years) were consecutively recruited from four Italian centers. Clinical disability was assessed using the Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP) stage and Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS). The Norfolk questionnaire evaluated QoL and the Compound Autonomic Dysfunction Test assessed autonomic involvement. Neuropathic pain was screened using the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire, and pain intensity and its impact on daily activity were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory severity and interference subscores. Data on the type of TTR mutation, presence of cardiomyopathy, treatment, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were collected. Results Overall, 102 subjects with TTR mutations (mean age ± SD 63.6 ± 13.5 years) were recruited, including 78 symptomatic patients (68.1 ± 10.9 years) and 24 presymptomatic carriers (49 ± 10.3 years). Pain was reported by 75.5% of all subjects, but was more frequent in symptomatic patients than in presymptomatic carriers (85.9 vs. 41.6%, respectively). Pain exhibited neuropathic features (DN4≥4) in 69.2% of symptomatic patients and in 8.3% of presymptomatic carriers. Subjects with neuropathic pain were older (p = 0.015) had worse FAP stage (p < 0.001), higher NIS scores (p < 0.001), greater autonomic involvement (p = 0.003), and a lower QoL (p < 0.001) than those without neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain was associated with higher pain severity (p < 0.001) and had a significant negative impact on daily activities (p < 0.001) Neuropathic pain was not associated with gender, mutation type, TTR therapy, or BMI. Conclusion Approximately 70% of late-onset ATTRv patients complained of neuropathic pain (DN4≥4) that worsened as peripheral neuropathy progressed and increasingly interfered with daily activities and QoL. Notably, 8% of presymptomatic carriers complained of neuropathic pain. These results suggest that assessment of neuropathic pain may be useful to monitor disease progression and identify early manifestations of ATTRv.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Rome, Italy,Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Mazzeo
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniele Severi
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Di Paolantonio
- Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy,U.O. Neurologia, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca Leonardi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Romano
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Rome, Italy,Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Forcina
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Gentile
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maria Nolano
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy,Neurology Department, Skin Biopsy Laboratory, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Telese Terme, Italy
| | - Consalvo Mattia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, Italy,Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Unit, ICOT-Polo Pontino, Latina, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy,*Correspondence: Fiore Manganelli ✉
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22
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Omega-3 PUFAs as a Dietary Supplement in Senile Systemic Amyloidosis. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030749. [PMID: 36771455 PMCID: PMC9921273 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6), two omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are the main components in oil derived from fish and other marine organisms. EPA and DHA are commercially available as dietary supplements and are considered to be very safe and contribute to guaranteeing human health. Studies report that PUFAs have a role in contrasting neurodegenerative processes related to amyloidogenic proteins, such as β-amyloid for AD, α-synuclein in PD, and transthyretin (TTR) in TTR amyloidosis. In this context, we investigated if EPA and DHA can interact directly with TTR, binding inside the thyroxin-binding pockets (T4BP) that contribute to the tetramer stabilization. The data obtained showed that EPA and DHA can contribute to stabilizing the TTR tetramer through interactions with T4BP.
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23
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Tozza S, Severi D, Palumbo G, Provitera V, Ruggiero L, Dubbioso R, Iodice R, Nolano M, Manganelli F. Quantitative Sensory Testing in Late-Onset ATTRv Presymptomatic Subjects: A Single Center Experience. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2877. [PMID: 36359398 PMCID: PMC9687694 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) presymptomatic subjects undergo multidisciplinary evaluation to detect, as early as possible, a subclinical involvement of multisystem disease. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) that investigates and discriminates the function of C, Aδ and Aβ fibers is included as an instrumental test to monitor nerve fiber function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of QST in the context of the multidisciplinary evaluation in late onset carriers. Methods Four-teen presymptomatic (namely carriers) were enrolled. Subjects underwent thermal [cold and warm detection threshold (CDT, WDT), cold and heat pain (CP and HP)] and tactile QST in four body sites: foot dorsum, distal lateral leg, distal thigh, hand dorsum. Results Overall, presymptomatic subject showed a significant difference in all thermal QST findings compared to the control group. All subjects had at least one altered thermal QST finding; the sites more frequently altered were foot and leg, whilst the thermal modalities which were more frequently abnormal were CDT, WDT and CP. Conclusions Our study highlights the importance of performing thermal QST in subjects carrying TTR mutation, given the high frequency of abnormal findings. Notably, performing both innocuous and painful stimulation in foot and/or leg increases the chance of detecting nerve fiber dysfunction. Moreover, the investigation of the hand may provide useful information in monitoring disease progression before the Predicted Age of Disease Onset (PADO).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele Severi
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Palumbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Provitera
- Neurology Department, Skin Biopsy Laboratory, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Nolano
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Neurology Department, Skin Biopsy Laboratory, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 82037 Telese Terme, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odonstomatology, University “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy
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Tzagournissakis M, Foukarakis E, Samonakis D, Tsilimbaris M, Michaelidou K, Mathioudakis L, Marinis A, Giannakoudakis E, Spanaki C, Skoula I, Erimaki S, Amoiridis G, Koutsis G, Koukouraki S, Stylianou K, Plaitakis A, Mitsias PD, Zaganas I. High Hereditary Transthyretin-Related Amyloidosis Prevalence in Crete. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e200013. [PMID: 36101541 PMCID: PMC9465837 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Our goal was to study hereditary transthyretin-related amyloidosis (hATTR) in Crete, Greece. Methods We aimed at ascertaining all hATTR cases in Crete, an island of 0.62 million people. For this, we evaluated patients with polyneuropathy, autonomic involvement, cardiomyopathy, and/or ophthalmopathy suggestive of hATTR, who presented to the physicians of this study or were referred to them by other physicians. Genetic analyses were performed on all patients suspected of suffering from hATTR. We included in our observational longitudinal cohort study all individuals, residents of Crete, who, during the study period (1993–2019), were found to carry a pathogenic TTR variant. Results Over the past 27 years, 30 individuals (15 female patients, 15 male patients), from 12 apparently unrelated families, were diagnosed with hATTR, whereas evaluation of their offspring identified 5 asymptomatic TTR pathogenic variant carriers. The most prevalent TTR variant detected was p.Val50Met, affecting 19 patients (11 female patients, 8 male patients) and causing a rather consistent phenotype characterized by predominant polyneuropathy of early adult onset (median age of symptom onset: 30 years; range: 18–37 years). Specifically, patients affected by the p.Val50Met TTR variant experienced progressive sensorimotor disturbances, involving mainly the lower extremities, associated with autonomic and/or gastrointestinal dysfunction. The second most frequent TTR variant was p.Val114Ala, found in 10 patients (4 female patients, 6 male patients) who were affected at an older age (median age of symptom onset: 70 years; range: 54–78 years). This variant caused a predominantly cardiomyopathic phenotype, manifested by congestive heart failure and associated with peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and/or autonomic involvement. In these patients, cardiac amyloid deposition was detected on 99m-technetium pyrophosphate scintigraphy and/or heart biopsy. The third TTR variant (p.Arg54Gly) was found in a 50-year-old male patient with ophthalmopathy due to vitreous opacities and positive family history for visual loss. As 22 patients were alive at the end of the study, we calculated the hATTR prevalence in Crete to be 35 cases per 1 million inhabitants. Discussion Our study revealed that the prevalence of hATTR in Crete is one of the world's highest. Three different pathogenic TTR variants causing distinct clinical phenotypes were identified in this relatively small population pool.
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Cambieri C, Libonati L, Moret F, Tartaglia G, Garibaldi M, Chimenti C, Inghilleri M, Ceccanti M. The Silent Period for Small Fiber Sensory Neuropathy Assessment in a Mixed Cohort of Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092073. [PMID: 36140174 PMCID: PMC9495326 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR) is a rare multisystemic disease involving the peripheral nervous system and heart. Autonomic and small fiber involvement is one of the hallmarks of ATTR, and many tools have been proposed to assess this aspect. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate cutaneous and mixed nerve silent periods (CSP and MnSP) as instruments for small fiber assessment. Methods: A total of 21 ATTR patients, 20 healthy controls, and 18 asymptomatic carriers underwent a sensory conduction study from the right sural and non-dominant ulnar nerves. A motor conduction study from the right deep peroneal and non-dominant ulnar nerves, with their F waves, CSPs, and MnSPs, was performed. Results: The amplitudes of the sural and ulnar sensory nerves and of the peroneal and ulnar motor nerves were reduced in ATTR patients compared to the other groups. F waves from the ulnar and peroneal nerves showed no differences between the three groups. The CSP and MnSP latency, but not amplitude, were increased in both the ulnar and peroneal nerves of ATTR patients. Conclusions: ATTR patients showed axonal involvement of large sensory and motor nerve fibers and demyelinating features of small sensory fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cambieri
- Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Human Neuroscience, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Libonati
- Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Human Neuroscience, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Moret
- Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Human Neuroscience, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Tartaglia
- Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Human Neuroscience, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Center, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Chimenti
- Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrologic, Anesthesiologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Cellular and Molecular Cardiology Lab, IRCCS Lazzaro Spallanzani, 00149 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Inghilleri
- Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Human Neuroscience, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Ceccanti
- Center for Rare Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Human Neuroscience, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Lin YH, Hsueh HW, Su MY, Cheng MF, Chiang MC, Juang JMJ, Kao YH, Chang KC, Feng FP, Hsieh ST, Chao CC. Cardiomyopathy correlates to nerve damage in p.A117S late-onset transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022; 9:1359-1369. [PMID: 35945697 PMCID: PMC9463956 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Late‐onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv‐PN) is often associated with heart involvement. Recent advances in cardiac imaging allow the detection of cardiac amyloidosis. This study aimed to explore cardiomyopathy by cardiac imaging and its clinical correlates with polyneuropathy in late‐onset ATTRv‐PN. Methods Polyneuropathy was assessed by intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density, nerve conduction study (NCS), autonomic function tests, quantitative sensory testing, and clinical questionnaires. Cardiomyopathy was evaluated by echocardiography, 99mTc‐pyrophosphate (PYP) single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), and serum Pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide. Healthy controls and patients with Brugada syndrome were enrolled for comparison of CMR. Results Fifty late‐onset ATTRv‐PN patients (38 men, 46 with p. A117S mutation), aged 63.7 ± 5.5 years, of polyneuropathy disability stage 1–4 were enrolled. All patients presented polyneuropathy in NCS, and 74.5% of patients had reduced IENF density in distal legs. All patients showed significant radiotracer uptake in the heart on 99mTc‐PYP SPECT imaging, and 87.8% of patients had abnormally increased left ventricular (LV) septum thickness on echocardiography. CMR showed longer myocardial native T1, larger extracellular volume, greater LV mass index, and higher LV mass to end‐diastolic volume ratio in ATTRv‐PN patients than healthy controls and patients with Brugada syndrome. These CMR parameters were associated with skin denervation, absent sympathetic skin responses, elevated thermal thresholds, worsened NCS profiles, and functional deficits of polyneuropathy. Interpretation Late‐onset ATTRv‐PN coexisted with cardiomyopathy regardless of the clinical severity of polyneuropathy. The cardiac amyloid burden revealed by CMR was correlated with pathophysiology and clinical disability of nerve degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Hung Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsueh-Wen Hsueh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mao-Yuan Su
- Department of Radiology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Fang Cheng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chang Chiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jyh-Ming Jimmy Juang
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hui Kao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Chieh Chang
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Ping Feng
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Tsang Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center of Precision Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chao Chao
- Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Kim D, Oh J, Min HK, Kim HR, Choi K. A pilot study of nailfold capillaroscopy in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11715. [PMID: 35810210 PMCID: PMC9271069 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15779-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is a safe and non-invasive imaging tool for evaluating microvascular abnormalities. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the NFC outcomes and clinical characteristics in patients and an asymptomatic carrier with transthyretin (TTR) gene mutation. The participants consist of eight patients with genetically and clinically confirmed hereditary amyloidogenic transthyretin (ATTRv) amyloidosis and one asymptomatic carrier. The TTR gene mutant forms of six male and three female participants from six families were Asp38Ala (five patients), Lys35Asn (three patients), and Ala36Pro (one patient). All participants showed decreased capillary density, dilatated capillaries, and destructed architecture in NFC. Early progression identification of a carrier to patients with symptoms is a major concern from a therapeutic viewpoint in ATTRv amyloidosis. Therefore, further studies with a larger number of subjects will be needed to determine the use of NFC as an early detection tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayoung Kim
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeeyoung Oh
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Ki Min
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae-Rim Kim
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyomin Choi
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Du K, Chu X, Tang Y, Zhao X, Yu M, Zheng Y, Deng J, Lv H, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Meng L. Patterns of myelinated nerve fibers loss in transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy and mimics. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022; 9:1059-1068. [PMID: 35665499 PMCID: PMC9268867 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The present study was intended to analyze the characteristics of myelinated nerve fibers density (MFD) of transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy (ATTR‐PN) and other similar neuropathies. Methods A total of 41 patients with ATTR‐PN, 58 patients of other common peripheral neuropathies, and 17 age‐and gender‐matched controls who visited the First Hospital of Peking University and performed sural nerve biopsy between June 2007 and August 2021 were included for analysis of MFD. Results Except the vasculitic neuropathy group, the total and small MFD of patients in the ATTR‐PN group were significantly lower than those of other disease groups. There was an obvious negative correlation between the total MFD and the disease course in the ATTR‐PN group. The disease course of early‐onset and late‐onset symptoms was similar, but the loss of large myelinated nerve fibers (MF) was more severe for the latter. In addition, all late‐onset and most early‐onset patients had severely reduced MFD after a 2 years' disease course. The MFD in ATTR‐PN patients was negatively correlated with Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) and Norfolk Quality of life‐diabetic neuropathy (Norfolk QOL‐DN) score. Conclusion MF is lost differently in ATTR‐PN and in other common peripheral neuropathies. The late‐onset and early‐onset ATTR‐PN patients have different patterns of loss of large and small MF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Du
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Xujun Chu
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Yuwei Tang
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Xutong Zhao
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Yiming Zheng
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Jianwen Deng
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery Beijing 100034 China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology Peking University First Hospital 8 Xishiku Street, Xicheng District Beijing 100034 China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery Beijing 100034 China
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29
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Chu X, Du K, Tang Y, Zhao X, Yu M, Zheng Y, Deng J, Lv H, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Meng L. Skeletal Muscle Involvement Pattern of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis: A Study Based on Muscle MRI. Front Neurol 2022; 13:851190. [PMID: 35592471 PMCID: PMC9112281 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.851190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objects This study was intended to explore the characteristics of muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv amyloidosis) prospectively. Methods The clinical data of 20 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis at our hospital between July 2020 and August 2021 were analyzed. MRI of lower limbs including calf muscles was performed in all these 20 patients and MRI of thigh muscles was performed in 16 of them. Results The mean age of the 20 patients with ATTRv amyloidosis was 44.2 years (ranging from 26 to 60) whose mean duration of weakness was 23.3 ± 23.0 (ranging from 0 to 84) months. All the patients presented with polyneuropathy, and 18 of them with weakness in their lower limbs. Muscle involvement was selective in these patients with ATTRv amyloidosis. The posterior group of muscles was heavily fatty, and the soleus muscle was the most heavily involved. The proportion of fatty infiltration scores at the calf level was higher than at the thigh level with paired comparison for most patients. Three of these patients had more severely fatty infiltration of muscles at the thigh level. The fatty infiltration of posterior compartments at the calf level was highly consistent with neuropathy impairment scores of lower limbs (weakness), the strength of ankle plantar flexion muscles, and the amplitude of the compound muscle action potential of the tibial nerve. Conclusions It was found that the pattern of muscle fatty infiltration was consistent with a distal-to-proximal gradient on the whole and that proximal involvements in MRI of lower limbs in some patients could also be observed. Selective fatty infiltration of muscles of posterior compartments and fatty infiltration of the soleus muscle might be typical of ATTRv amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xujun Chu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Du
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Tang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xutong Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwen Deng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
- Yun Yuan
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Lingchao Meng
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30
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Severi D, Aruta F, Iovino A, Spina E, Nolano M, Manganelli F, Tozza S. Can we identify hereditary TTR amyloidosis by the screening of carpal tunnel syndrome patients? Neurol Sci 2022; 43:3435-3438. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05851-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Luigetti M, Antonini G, Di Paolantonio A, Gentile L, Grandis M, Leonardi L, Lozza A, Manganelli F, Mazzeo A, Mussinelli R, My F, Obici L, Pennisi EM, Romozzi M, Russo M, Sabatelli M, Salvalaggio A, Tagliapietra M, Tozza S. Real-life experience with inotersen in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with late-onset phenotype: data from an early-access program in Italy. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:2148-2155. [PMID: 35289020 PMCID: PMC9314115 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose Hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a dominantly inherited, adult‐onset, progressive, and fatal disease caused by mutations in the transthyretin gene. Therapeutic agents approved for this disease include the TTR stabilizer tafamidis and the gene‐silencing drugs patisiran and inotersen. Inotersen is an antisense oligonucleotide that suppresses the hepatic production of transthyretin. After European Medical Agency approval in 2018, an early‐access program was opened in Italy, and in this article, we present the long‐term outcome of a cohort of Italian ATTRv patients who received inotersen within this program. Methods This is a multicenter, observational, retrospective study of patients affected by ATTRv that started inotersen during the early‐access program. The primary end point was safety. Secondary end points included change from baseline in familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) stage, Polyneuropathy Disability, Neuropathy Impairment Scale, Compound Autonomic Dysfunction Test, Norfolk Quality of Life–Diabetic Neuropathy, troponin, N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide, interventricular septum thickness, and body mass index. Results In total, 23 patients were enrolled. No patient permanently discontinued the treatment because of thrombocytopenia, and no cases of severe thrombocytopenia were observed. Five patients discontinued the treatment permanently because of voluntary withdrawal (two patients), renal failure after infective pyelonephritis, not related to inotersen, drug‐related hypotension, and amyloid‐negative crescentic glomerulonephritis. In seven patients, dosing frequency was reduced to every 2 weeks due to recurrent thrombocytopenia. Considering the FAP stage, only two patients worsened, whereas the other 21 patients remained stable until the last follow‐up available. Conclusions The long‐term safety profile of inotersen is favorable. Neurologic disease severity at baseline is the main factor associated with progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Luigetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS. UOC Neurologia, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luca Gentile
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Marina Grandis
- University of Genova, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Infantile Sciences, Genova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Luca Leonardi
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lozza
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Mazzeo
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Mussinelli
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Filomena My
- UOC Neurologia Ospedale Vito Fazzi Lecce, Italy
| | - Laura Obici
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Center, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Maria Pennisi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Neurological Diseases - Neurology Unit, San Filippo Neri Hospital Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Romozzi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS. UOC Neurologia, Rome, Italy.,Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Russo
- Unit of Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Centro Clinico NEMO - Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Tagliapietra
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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A compound score to screen patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. J Neurol 2022; 269:4281-4287. [PMID: 35279758 PMCID: PMC9293821 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11056-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a rare, debilitating and fatal disease, mostly characterized by progressive axonal peripheral neuropathy. Diagnosis is still challenging and diagnostic delay in non-endemic area is about 3–4 years. The aim of this study was to arrange a clinical and electrophysiological score to select patients with axonal neuropathy that deserve screening for TTR mutation. Methods Thirty-five ATTRv patients and 55 patients with chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and electrophysiological findings at first evaluation were collected. Based on significant results between the two groups, a compound (clinical and electrophysiological) score was arranged, and ROC analysis was performed to identify the ideal cut-off able to discriminate between the two groups. Results ATTRv patients presented a later age at onset, more frequent muscle weakness and carpal tunnel syndrome history. On the other hand, electrophysiological analysis showed that ATTRv patients had lower CMAP and SAP amplitude in all examined nerves. We arranged a compound score constituted by 7 total items, ranging from 0 to 12. ROC analysis showed an Area Under the Curve = 0.8655 and we set the cut-off ≥ 5 points to discriminate ATTRv patients with a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 63.6%. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that our compound score with cut-off ≥ 5 allows to discriminate ATTRv patients among subject affected by axonal polyneuropathy with a sensitivity > 95%. Thus, our compound score is a quick, easy and effective screening tool.
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Li Z, Du K, Chu X, Lv H, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Meng L. TTR Gly83Arg Mutation: Beyond Familial Vitreous Amyloidosis. Front Neurol 2022; 12:821003. [PMID: 35185758 PMCID: PMC8850374 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.821003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gly83Arg variation is a type of TTR mutation specific to the Chinese population. Patients of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) with Gly83Arg variation predominantly present with blurred vision and most of these cases are reported by ophthalmologists. There is currently no systematic assessment of extraocular features of ATTR with Gly83Arg variation. METHODS Six patients and two asymptomatic carriers with molecularly confirmed Gly83Arg variation of ATTR from three unrelated families were identified by sequencing the TTR gene. The clinical, electrophysiological, ultrasonic, and pathological data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS This study included six patients and two carriers with TTR Gly83Arg mutation, all of whom came from the Han nationality of China. The average age of onset for the six patients was 39 years, and the course of disease ranged from 5 to 19 years. All the patients started with blurred vision, which was diagnosed as vitreous opacity (VO). Most of the patients developed sensory-motor polyneuropathies over years or even more than a decade (4-15 years) after VO. However, the heterogeneity of peripheral neuropathies among these patients remained large between families. Autonomic impairment also occurred after VO, with varying degrees of abnormalities seen in the associated autonomic assessments. None of the patients had any symptoms of cardiac impairment, but abnormal results were found in examinations. A combined biopsy of the sural nerve and muscle was also performed. Nerve pathology revealed the moderately reduced myelinated nerve fiber density and muscle pathology showed predominant neurogenic impairment accompanied by possible myogenic impairment. CONCLUSIONS This is a detailed account of Gly83Arg mutation-related ATTR, focusing on the extraocular presentations of this special variant in Chinese. Clinical features of this variant are early-onset, ocular involvement predominance, neurological, and cardiac involvement along with the disease, and relatively long survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxian Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Du
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Xujun Chu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
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Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics have entered the mainstream with seemingly limitless possibilities to treat all categories of neurological disease. Here, common RNA-based drug modalities such as antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNAs, RNA aptamers, RNA-based vaccines and mRNA drugs are reviewed highlighting their current and potential applications. Rapid progress has been made across rare genetic diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, but safe and effective delivery to the brain remains a significant challenge for many applications. The advent of individualized RNA-based therapies for ultra-rare diseases is discussed against the backdrop of the emergence of this field into more common conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and ischaemic stroke. There remains significant untapped potential in the use of RNA-based therapeutics for behavioural disorders and tumours of the central nervous system; coupled with the accelerated development expected over the next decade, the true potential of RNA-based therapeutics to transform the therapeutic landscape in neurology remains to be uncovered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Anthony
- Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences, University of Northampton, Northampton, UK
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35
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Obici L, Mussinelli R. Current and Emerging Therapies for Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis: Strides Towards a Brighter Future. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:2286-2302. [PMID: 34850359 PMCID: PMC8804119 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01154-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The past few years have witnessed an unprecedented acceleration in the clinical development of novel therapeutic options for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Recently approved agents and drugs currently under investigation not only represent a major breakthrough in this field but also provide validation of the therapeutic potential of innovative approaches, like RNA interference and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing, in rare inherited disorders. In this review, we describe the evolving therapeutic landscape for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis and discuss how this highly disabling and fatal condition is turning into a treatable disease. We also provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms involved in transthyretin (TTR) amyloid formation and regression, to highlight how a deeper understanding of these processes has contributed to the identification of novel treatment targets. Finally, we focus on major areas of uncertainty and unmet needs that deserve further efforts to improve long-term patients' outcomes and allow for a brighter future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Obici
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Centre, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi, 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Roberta Mussinelli
- Amyloidosis Research and Treatment Centre, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico San Matteo, Viale Golgi, 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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Tozza S, Severi D, Spina E, Iovino A, Aruta F, Ruggiero L, Dubbioso R, Iodice R, Nolano M, Manganelli F. The neuropathy in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: A narrative review. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2021; 26:155-159. [PMID: 33960565 PMCID: PMC8360044 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a condition with adult onset, caused by mutation of the transthyretin (TTR) gene and characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils in tissue, especially in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and heart. PNS involvement leads to a rapidly progressive and disabling sensory‐motor axonal neuropathy. Although awareness among neurologists increased in recent years thanks to new treatment options, ATTRv is frequently misdiagnosed, and thus a correct diagnosis can be delayed by several years. This review aims to draw the history and features of polyneuropathy in ATTRv based on pathological and electrophysiological correlates. We assessed original articles and case reports based on their relevance to ATTRv neuropathy and we included those appropriate for the scheme of this narrative review. Amyloid fibrils initially deposit in ganglia, causing an axonal neuropathy without amyloid deposits in distal segments (eg, sural nerve biopsy). Over time, amyloid fibrils spread along the nerves, leading to some demyelinating features in the context of severe axonal loss. This review highlights how the features of neuropathy change based on type of ATTRv (early vs late onset) and stage of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Daniele Severi
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Emanuele Spina
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Iovino
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Aruta
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Nolano
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Science, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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