Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.
Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council (IRIB-CNR), Section of Catania, 95126 Catania, Italy.
Genes (Basel). 2024 Aug 21;15(8):1101. doi: 10.3390/genes15081101.
Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is a genetic lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene, leading to impaired lysosomal function and resulting in both macrovascular and microvascular alterations. AFD patients often exhibit increased intima-media thickness (IMT) and reduced flow-mediated dilation (FMD), indicating non-atherosclerotic arterial thickening and the potential for cardiovascular events. Nailfold capillaroscopy, a non-invasive diagnostic tool, has shown potential in diagnosing and monitoring microcirculatory disorders in AFD, despite limited research. This study evaluates nailfold capillaroscopy findings in AFD patients, exploring correlations with GLA gene variant subgroups (associated with classical or late-onset phenotypes and variants of uncertain significance (VUSs)), and assessing morpho-functional differences between sexes. It aims to determine whether capillaroscopy can assist in the early identification of individuals with multiorgan vascular involvement. A retrospective observational study was conducted with 25 AFD patients from AOUP "G. Rodolico-San Marco" in Catania (2020-2023). Patients underwent genetic testing, enzyme activity evaluation, and nailfold capillaroscopy using Horus basic HS 200 videodermatoscopy. Parameters like angiotectonic disorder, vascular areas, capillary density, and intimal thickening were assessed. The study identified significant differences in capillaroscopy findings among patients with different GLA gene variant subgroups. Classic AFD variant patients showed reduced capillary length and signs of erythrocyte aggregation and dilated subpapillary plexus. No correlation was found between enzymatic activity and capillaroscopy parameters. However, Lyso-Gb3 levels were positively correlated with average capillary length (ῤ = 0.453; = 0.059). Sex-specific differences in capillaroscopy findings were observed in neoangiogenesis and average capillary length, with distinct implications for men and women. This study highlights the potential of nailfold capillaroscopy in the diagnostic process and clinical management of AFD, particularly in relation to specific GLA gene mutations, as a valuable tool for the early diagnosis and monitoring of AFD.
安德森-法布里病(AFD)是一种遗传性溶酶体贮积病,由α-半乳糖苷酶 A 基因突变引起,导致溶酶体功能受损,从而导致大血管和微血管改变。AFD 患者常表现出内膜中层厚度(IMT)增加和血流介导的扩张(FMD)减少,表明非动脉粥样硬化性动脉增厚和心血管事件的潜在风险。甲襞毛细血管显微镜检查是一种非侵入性诊断工具,已显示出在诊断和监测 AFD 中的微循环障碍方面的潜力,尽管研究有限。本研究评估了 AFD 患者的甲襞毛细血管显微镜检查结果,探讨了与 GLA 基因突变亚组(与经典或迟发性表型和意义不明的变异(VUS)相关)的相关性,并评估了性别之间的形态和功能差异。目的是确定毛细血管镜检查是否有助于早期识别多器官血管受累的个体。这是一项回顾性观察研究,纳入了来自西西里岛卡塔尼亚 AOUP"G. Rodolico-San Marco"的 25 名 AFD 患者(2020-2023 年)。患者接受了基因检测、酶活性评估和使用 Horus basic HS 200 视频皮肤镜进行甲襞毛细血管显微镜检查。评估了血管紧张度紊乱、血管面积、毛细血管密度和内膜增厚等参数。研究发现,不同 GLA 基因突变亚组患者的毛细血管镜检查结果存在显著差异。经典 AFD 变异患者的毛细血管长度缩短,红细胞聚集和扩张的皮下丛状网迹象。酶活性与毛细血管镜检查参数之间无相关性。然而,Lyso-Gb3 水平与平均毛细血管长度呈正相关(ῤ=0.453;=0.059)。在新血管生成和平均毛细血管长度方面观察到了性别特异性的毛细血管镜检查结果差异,这对男性和女性具有不同的意义。本研究强调了甲襞毛细血管显微镜检查在 AFD 诊断过程和临床管理中的潜在应用,特别是在特定的 GLA 基因突变方面,作为 AFD 的早期诊断和监测的有价值的工具。