Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: SMAD4 Sequencing

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) results from the presence of multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in which intervening capillaries between arteries and veins are absent, resulting in direct connections between arteries and veins. Small AVMs or telangiectases near the skin surface and surface of oral and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa membranes often rupture and bleed with minor trauma. Large AVMs often cause more severe symptoms when they occur in brain, lung, GI tract or more rarely liver and spine. Complications from bleeding or shunting may be sudden and catastrophic.

HHT is an autosomal dominant disorder which can be divided into two clinically indistinct forms based on the protein defect: HHT1 is caused by defects in the endoglin protein encoded by the ENG gene located on chromosome 9 at 9q34.1 while HHT2 is caused by defects in the serine/threonine receptor kinase R3 encoded by the ACVRL1 (ALK1) gene located on chromosome 12 at 12q11-q14. Approximately 80-90% of all mutations causing HHT1 or HHT2 are point mutations or small insertions/deletions. Deletions in the ENG gene may also cause up to 10% of HHT.

HHT is present when an individual has one copy of the defective gene (ENG or ACVRL1). Silent carriers may not be affected themselves by HHT, however, they may transmit the defective gene to their offspring. There is a 50% chance that their baby will have the gene for HHT and thus may develop symptoms at some stage in their life. There is a 50% chance that the baby will not have HHT.

See related information sheet: Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia