Targeted genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia using next generation sequencing: a population-based study

Norsworthy, P. J. et al. (2014) Targeted genetic testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia using next generation sequencing: a population-based study. BMC Medical Genetics, 15(1), p. 70. (doi: 10.1186/1471-2350-15-70)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2350-15-70

Abstract

Background<p></p> Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a common Mendelian condition which, untreated, results in premature coronary heart disease. An estimated 88% of FH cases are undiagnosed in the UK. We previously validated a method for FH mutation detection in a lipid clinic population using next generation sequencing (NGS), but this did not address the challenge of identifying index cases in primary care where most undiagnosed patients receive healthcare. Here, we evaluate the targeted use of NGS as a potential route to diagnosis of FH in a primary care population subset selected for hypercholesterolaemia.<p></p> Methods<p></p> We used microfluidics-based PCR amplification coupled with NGS and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect mutations in LDLR, APOB and PCSK9 in three phenotypic groups within the Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study including 193 individuals with high total cholesterol, 232 with moderately high total cholesterol despite cholesterol-lowering therapy, and 192 normocholesterolaemic controls.<p></p> Results<p></p> Pathogenic mutations were found in 2.1% of hypercholesterolaemic individuals, in 2.2% of subjects on cholesterol-lowering therapy and in 42% of their available first-degree relatives. In addition, variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUCS) were detected in 1.4% of the hypercholesterolaemic and cholesterol-lowering therapy groups. No pathogenic variants or VUCS were detected in controls.<p></p> Conclusions<p></p> We demonstrated that population-based genetic testing using these protocols is able to deliver definitive molecular diagnoses of FH in individuals with high cholesterol or on cholesterol-lowering therapy. The lower cost and labour associated with NGS-based testing may increase the attractiveness of a population-based approach to FH detection compared to genetic testing with conventional sequencing. This could provide one route to increasing the present low percentage of FH cases with a genetic diagnosis.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dominiczak, Professor Anna
Authors: Norsworthy, P. J., Vandrovcova, J., Thomas, E. R., Campbell, A., Kerr, S. M., Biggs, J., Game, L., Soutar, A. K., Smith, B. H., Dominiczak, A. F., Porteous, D. J., Morris, A. D., Scotland, G., and Aitman, T. J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
Journal Name:BMC Medical Genetics
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1471-2350
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Authors
First Published:First published in BMC Medical Genetics 15(1):70
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
381724Generation ScotlandAnna DominiczakScottish Executive Health Department (SEHHD-CSO)CZD/16/6RI CARDIOVASCULAR & MEDICAL SCIENCES