Abstract
In the vast majority of pediatric patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, the specific etiology is unknown. Studies on families with dilated cardiomyopathy have exemplified the role of genetic factors in cardiomyopathy etiology. In this study, we applied whole-exome sequencing to members of a non-consanguineous family affected by a previously unreported congenital dilated cardiomyopathy syndrome necessitating early-onset heart transplant. Exome analysis identified compound heterozygous variants in the FLNC gene. Histological analysis of the cardiac muscle demonstrated marked sarcomeric and myofibrillar abnormalities, and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the presence of Filamin C aggregates in cardiac myocytes. We conclude that biallelic variants in FLNC can cause congenital dilated cardiomyopathy. As the associated clinical features of affected patients are mild, and can be easily overlooked, testing for FLNC should be considered in children presenting with dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Rabin Medical Center and Adler cathedra for pediatric cardiology for the support. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
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The authors declare no conflict of interest. DMB and CB are compensated and serve as the chief medical officer and the laboratory director of Gene by Gene, respectively.
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Reinstein, E., Gutierrez-Fernandez, A., Tzur, S. et al. Congenital dilated cardiomyopathy caused by biallelic mutations in Filamin C. Eur J Hum Genet 24, 1792–1796 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejhg.2016.110
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejhg.2016.110
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