Pathogenic TERT promoter variants in telomere diseases

Fernanda Gutierrez-Rodrigues, Flávia S. Donaires, André Pinto, Alana Vicente, Laura W. Dillon, Diego V. Clé, Barbara A. Santana, Mehdi Pirooznia, Maria del Pilar F. Ibanez, Danielle M. Townsley, Sachiko Kajigaya, Christopher S. Hourigan, James N. Cooper, Rodrigo T. Calado, Neal S. Young

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The acquisition of pathogenic variants in the TERT promoter (TERTp) region is a mechanism of tumorigenesis. In nonmalignant diseases, TERTp variants have been reported only in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) due to germline variants in telomere biology genes. Methods: We screened patients with a broad spectrum of telomeropathies (n = 136), their relatives (n = 52), and controls (n = 195) for TERTp variants using a customized massively parallel amplicon-based sequencing assay. Results: Pathogenic −124 and −146 TERTp variants were identified in nine (7%) unrelated patients diagnosed with IPF (28%) or moderate aplastic anemia (4.6%); five of them also presented cirrhosis. Five (10%) relatives were also found with these variants, all harboring a pathogenic germline variant in telomere biology genes. TERTp clone selection did not associate with peripheral blood counts, telomere length, and response to danazol treatment. However, it was specific for patients with telomeropathies, more frequently co-occurring with TERT germline variants and associated with aging. Conclusion: We extend the spectrum of nonmalignant diseases associated with pathogenic TERTp variants to marrow failure and liver disease due to inherited telomerase deficiency. Specificity of pathogenic TERTp variants for telomerase dysfunction may help to assess the pathogenicity of unclear constitutional variants in the telomere diseases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1594-1602
Number of pages9
JournalGenetics in Medicine
Volume21
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2019

Keywords

  • bone marrow failure
  • somatic TERT promoter variants
  • telomere diseases

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Genetics(clinical)

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