Key result
Monozygotic twins with identical PTPN11 mutations show discordant HCM phenotypes, highlighting non-genetic disease modifiers.
Why the study?
PTPN11 mutations cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with highly variable expressivity in LEOPARD syndrome, but the factors driving discordant cardiac phenotypes are unclear.
Case Report (n=2)
No
An identical RASopathy mutation can produce highly divergent forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, emphasizing the role of non-genetic modifiers and the necessity of hemodynamics-guided, individualized management.
May warrant individualized HCM surveillance in PTPN11 carriers; leaves open non-genetic modifiers of variable expressivity.
LEOPARD syndrome (LS; Noonan syndrome with multiple lentigines) is a rare autosomal dominant RASopathy in which PTPN11 mutations cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with highly variable expressivity. We report adolescent monozygotic twin brothers carrying an identical PTPN11 c.1391G > C (p.Gly464Ala) mutation that arose de novo , who developed discordant cardiac phenotypes despite sharing a genome and an intrauterine and postnatal environment. The younger twin developed obstructive HCM with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (peak resting gradient 36 mmHg, peak Valsalva gradient 61 mmHg), together with pectus excavatum and macroglossia; the older twin had non-obstructive HCM (maximal septal thickness 12 mm) with a patent foramen ovale. Both twins had multiple lentigines, facial dysmorphism, and sensorineural hearing loss requiring cochlear implantation. The younger twin was treated with a beta-blocker and activity restriction, whereas the older twin was managed with surveillance alone. This case demonstrates that an identical RASopathy mutation can produce divergent forms of HCM, supports a role for non-genetic modifiers in cardiovascular expression, and underscores the need for hemodynamics-guided, individualized cardiovascular management in LS.
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Xue et al. (2026) conducted a case report in LEOPARD syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=2). PTPN11 c.1391G > C (p.Gly464Ala) mutation was evaluated. Monozygotic twins with an identical PTPN11 c.1391G > C mutation developed discordant forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, highlighting the role of non-genetic modifiers in disease expression.
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