DSP c.6310delA p.(Thr2104Glnfs*12) associates with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, increased trabeculation, curly hair, and palmoplantar keratoderma

Krista Heliö; Eveliina Brandt; Satu Vaara; Sini Weckström; Liisa Harjama; Riina Kandolin; Johanna Järviö; Katariina Hannula-Jouppi; Tiina Heliö; Miia Holmström; Juha W Koskenvuo

doi:10.3389/fcvm.2023.1130903

DSP c.6310delA p.(Thr2104Glnfs*12) associates with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, increased trabeculation, curly hair, and palmoplantar keratoderma

Front Cardiovasc Med. 2023 Mar 15:10:1130903. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1130903. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Heart and Lung Center, ERN GUARD-Heart Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
² Department of Dermatology and Allergology, ERN-Skin Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
³ Radiology, HUS Diagnostic Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
⁴ Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland and Research Programs Unit, Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
⁵ Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.

Abstract

Background: Pathogenic variants in DSP associate with cardiac and cutaneous manifestations including arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, curly or wavy hair, and palmoplantar keratoderma (PPK). Episodes of myocardial inflammation associated with DSP cardiomyopathy might be confused in clinical work with myocarditis of other etiologies such as viral. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) may help in differential diagnosis.

Methods and results: This study comprised 49 Finnish patients: 34 participants from families with suspected DSP cardiomyopathy (9 index patients and 25 family members) and 15 patients with myocarditis. All 34 participants underwent genetic testing and cardiac evaluation, and 29 of them also underwent CMR. Participants with the DSP variant, numbering 22, were dermatologically examined. The 15 patients with myocarditis underwent CMR and were evaluated during their hospitalization.A heterozygous truncating DSP c.6310delA p.(Thr2104Glnfs*12) variant was confirmed in 29 participants. Only participants with the DSP variant had pacemakers and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Of the participants with the DSP variant, 24% fulfilled cardiomyopathy criteria, and the median age at diagnosis was 53. Upon CMR, myocardial edema was found to be more common in patients with myocarditis. Both groups had a substantial percentage of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). A ring-like LGE and increased trabeculation were observed only in participants with the DSP variant. All the studied participants with the DSP variant had PPK and curly or wavy hair. Hyperkeratosis developed before the age of 20 in most patients.

Conclusions: The DSP c.6310delA p.(Thr2104Glnfs*12) variant associates with curly hair, PPK, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy with increased trabeculation. Cutaneous symptoms developing in childhood and adolescence might help recognize these patients at an earlier stage. CMR, together with dermatologic characteristics, may help in diagnosis.

Keywords: CMR; DSP; arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy; cardiomyopathy; myocarditis; palmoplantar keratoderma.

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the Aarne Koskelo Foundation, the Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, the Finnish Medical Foundation, the Finnish Dermatological Society, the Emil Aaltonen Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, and Special Governmental Subsidy (EVO, VTR) grants (Y2019K005, Y2020SK004, Y1016SK104, TYH2020210, TYH2022209, and TYH2021105).