An Iranian patient affected by autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia due to a novel variant in the LDLRAP1 gene

Abstract

Background: Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH) is a rare monogenic disorder resulting from mutations of the LDLRAP1 gene, which leads to elevated LDL-C levels. Here, using whole exome sequencing (WES), we describe a 22-year-old Iranian female who carries a novel nonsense mutation in LDLRAP1. Methods: Genetic investigations were performed for the patient and her family. She showed LDL-C level of 720 mg/dL since the age of 11 years. At the age of 13 years old, aortic valve repair surgery was performed due to severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS). At the age of 17, along with prescription of rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe, coronary angiography displayed the presence of serious stenotic lesions of the coronary arteries and also aortic valve, making the patient eligible for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and aortic valve replacement (AVR).Results: Genetic analysis showed the presence of a previously unreported homozygous LDLRAP1 gene variant, c.649G>T, generating a nonsense mutation at amino acid 217, shortening the ARH protein from 308 to 217 amino acid, which removes AP-2 binding domain of ARH, as an important part in LDL uptake.Conclusion: During a 10-year treatment, we observed a 74% reduction in LDL-C level. Despite the treatment with maximal dose of rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe, the results of coronary angiography demonstrated severe supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) resulted in significant stenotic lesions of the coronary arteries and aortic valve. This highlights the importance of WES in early diagnosis of ARH, and it is proposed to prevent or at least delay the onset of the cardiovascular events.