Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterol

IntroductionHigh-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular health, acting as a key component in lipid transport and atheroprotection. While low HDL-C levels in the general population are often the result of multifactorial causes, extremely low HDL-C levels (&...

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Main Authors: Shoshi Sphitzen, Mordechai Golomb, Mohammad Mowaswes, Refael Bitzur, Smadar Horowitz Cederboim, Ronen R. Leker, Marc Gotkine, Itai Chovers, Daniel Schurr, Eran Leitersdorf, Ronen Durst
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1553259/full
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author Shoshi Sphitzen
Mordechai Golomb
Mohammad Mowaswes
Refael Bitzur
Smadar Horowitz Cederboim
Ronen R. Leker
Marc Gotkine
Itai Chovers
Daniel Schurr
Eran Leitersdorf
Ronen Durst
Ronen Durst
author_facet Shoshi Sphitzen
Mordechai Golomb
Mohammad Mowaswes
Refael Bitzur
Smadar Horowitz Cederboim
Ronen R. Leker
Marc Gotkine
Itai Chovers
Daniel Schurr
Eran Leitersdorf
Ronen Durst
Ronen Durst
author_sort Shoshi Sphitzen
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionHigh-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular health, acting as a key component in lipid transport and atheroprotection. While low HDL-C levels in the general population are often the result of multifactorial causes, extremely low HDL-C levels (<20 mg/dl) are rare and may be attributed to underlying genetic defects. Mutations in genes such as LCAT, APOA1, and ABCA1—although exceedingly rare—have been linked to profound alterations in lipid metabolism, often resulting in significant morbidity and increased cardiovascular risk.MethodsIn this study, we used exome sequencing on patients with very low HDL-C.ResultsWe identified three patients with pathogenic mutations associated with genetic low HDL-C syndrome, including ABCA1 [NM_005502.4(ABCA1):c.4175 + 1G > T, chr:9 91757308° C > A, rs375247413], LCAT [NM_000229.2(LCAT):c.349G > A p.Ala117Thr, rs28940886], and APOA1 [NM_000039.3(APOA1):c.388A > T, p.Lys130*].DiscussionEach case presented a unique spectrum of clinical phenotypes, systemic complications, and biochemical abnormalities, illustrating the diverse impact of these genetic mutations. We provide a detailed analysis of the clinical and biochemical profiles of these patients, highlighting key aspects of disease manifestation and progression. This report underscores the importance of recognizing and characterizing rare genetic causes of low HDL-C, which may have profound implications for patient care and risk stratification.
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spelling doaj-art-3fd8516f1f1443ce8130490847e05a762025-08-20T01:55:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine2297-055X2025-05-011210.3389/fcvm.2025.15532591553259Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterolShoshi Sphitzen0Mordechai Golomb1Mohammad Mowaswes2Refael Bitzur3Smadar Horowitz Cederboim4Ronen R. Leker5Marc Gotkine6Itai Chovers7Daniel Schurr8Eran Leitersdorf9Ronen Durst10Ronen Durst11Lipid Clinic and Center for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelCardiology Department, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelCardiology Department, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelThe Bert W. Strassburger Lipid Center, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, IsraelLipid Clinic and Center for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelDepartment of Neurology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelDepartment of Neurology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelOphthalmology Department, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelLipid Clinic and Center for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelLipid Clinic and Center for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelLipid Clinic and Center for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelCardiology Department, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, IsraelIntroductionHigh-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular health, acting as a key component in lipid transport and atheroprotection. While low HDL-C levels in the general population are often the result of multifactorial causes, extremely low HDL-C levels (<20 mg/dl) are rare and may be attributed to underlying genetic defects. Mutations in genes such as LCAT, APOA1, and ABCA1—although exceedingly rare—have been linked to profound alterations in lipid metabolism, often resulting in significant morbidity and increased cardiovascular risk.MethodsIn this study, we used exome sequencing on patients with very low HDL-C.ResultsWe identified three patients with pathogenic mutations associated with genetic low HDL-C syndrome, including ABCA1 [NM_005502.4(ABCA1):c.4175 + 1G > T, chr:9 91757308° C > A, rs375247413], LCAT [NM_000229.2(LCAT):c.349G > A p.Ala117Thr, rs28940886], and APOA1 [NM_000039.3(APOA1):c.388A > T, p.Lys130*].DiscussionEach case presented a unique spectrum of clinical phenotypes, systemic complications, and biochemical abnormalities, illustrating the diverse impact of these genetic mutations. We provide a detailed analysis of the clinical and biochemical profiles of these patients, highlighting key aspects of disease manifestation and progression. This report underscores the importance of recognizing and characterizing rare genetic causes of low HDL-C, which may have profound implications for patient care and risk stratification.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1553259/fullHDL-CtangiesLCATABCA1apoA1
spellingShingle Shoshi Sphitzen
Mordechai Golomb
Mohammad Mowaswes
Refael Bitzur
Smadar Horowitz Cederboim
Ronen R. Leker
Marc Gotkine
Itai Chovers
Daniel Schurr
Eran Leitersdorf
Ronen Durst
Ronen Durst
Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterol
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
HDL-C
tangies
LCAT
ABCA1
apoA1
title Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterol
title_full Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterol
title_fullStr Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterol
title_full_unstemmed Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterol
title_short Missing in action: the genetic mysteries of extremely low HDL cholesterol
title_sort missing in action the genetic mysteries of extremely low hdl cholesterol
topic HDL-C
tangies
LCAT
ABCA1
apoA1
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1553259/full
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