Hereditary angioedema nationwide study in Slovenia reveals four novel mutations in SERPING1 gene

PLoS One. 2013;8(2):e56712. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056712. Epub 2013 Feb 20.

Abstract

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by swelling of the face, lips, tongue, larynx, genitalia, or extremities, with abdominal pain caused by intra-abdominal edema. HAE is caused by mutations affecting the C1 inhibitor gene, SERPING1, resulting in low levels of C1 inhibitor (Type I HAE) or normal levels of ineffective C1 inhibitor (Type II HAE). A nationwide survey identified nine unrelated families with HAE in Slovenia, among whom 17 individuals from eight families were recruited for genetic analyses. A diagnosis of HAE was established in the presence of clinical and laboratory criteria (low C1 inhibitor antigenic levels and/or function), followed up by a positive family history. Genetic studies were carried out using PCR and sequencing to detect SERPING1 mutations in promoter, noncoding exon 1, the 7 coding exons, and exon-intron boundaries. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was performed in order to search for large deletions/duplications in SERPING1 gene. A mutation responsible for HAE was identified in patients from seven families with the disease. In HAE type I families, one previously reported substitution (Gln67Stop, c.265C>T) and four novel mutations were identified. The new mutations included two missense substitutions, Ser128Phe (c.449C>T), and Glu429Lys (c.1351G>A), together with two frameshift mutations, indel (c.49delGinsTT) and deletion (c.593_594delCT). Both families with HAE type II harbored the two well-known substitutions affecting the arginyl residue at the reactive center in exon 8, Arg444Cys (c.1396C>T) and Arg444His (c.1397G>A), respectively. In one patient only the homozygous variant g.566T>C (c.-21T>C) was identified. Our study identified four novel mutations in the Slovenian HAE population, highlighting the heterogeneity of mutations in the SERPING1 gene causing C1 inhibitor deficiency and HAE. In a single patient with HAE a homozygous variant g.566T>C (c.-21T>C) might be responsible for the disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / deficiency
  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins / genetics*
  • Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein
  • Exons
  • Female
  • Frameshift Mutation
  • Hereditary Angioedema Types I and II / blood*
  • Hereditary Angioedema Types I and II / genetics*
  • Hereditary Angioedema Types I and II / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Slovenia

Substances

  • Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins
  • Complement C1 Inhibitor Protein
  • SERPING1 protein, human

Grants and funding

The authors have no support or funding to report.