The role of gene encoding collagen secretion protein (SERPINH1) in the pathogenesis of a hypermobile type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

INTRODUCTION

Hypermobile (hEDS) Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a non-inflammatory, autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder. hEDS, unlike other types of EDS, has no known genetic aetiology, so diagnosis is conducted based on a person's medical history, a physical examination, and exclusion of other types of EDS after genetic tests.

AIM

The present study was a sequencing analysis of the gene and the evaluation of the potential impact of variants of this gene on their role in the aetiology of the hypermobile type of EDS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study group included 100 hEDS patients of Polish origin. The SERPINH1 gene analysis was performed on genomic DNA (gDNA). In all patients, other types of EDS or other connective tissue disorders were excluded by testing them with NGS technology.

RESULTS

Among 100 tested patients, 4 different types of missense variants (heterozygote) were detected. All alterations were classified as benign according to ACMG guidelines.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations in the gene have been described in a rare type of OI but have never been analysed in hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. In our investigation among 100 hEDS patients, we did not identify pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. Though only benign variants were detected, which play no role in the pathogenesis of hEDS, we should take into account mechanisms other than gene structure alterations, which may have an impact on collagen and other ECM protein transport.