Amyloid : the international journal of experimental and clinical investigation : the official journal of the International Society of Amyloidosis
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Systemic AL amyloidosis arises from the misfolding of patient-specific immunoglobulin light chains (LCs). Potential drivers of LC amyloid formation are mutational changes and post-translational modifications (PTMs). However, little information is available on the exact primary structure of the AL proteins and their precursor LCs. ⋯ Our data imply that mutational changes influence the surface charge properties of the VL and that common proteolytic processes are involved in the generation of the cleavage sites of AL proteins.
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We aimed at investigating whether functional and morphometric tests assessing small-fibre damage, ie quantitative sensory testing, Sudoscan and skin biopsy, reliably reflect neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms in patients with late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (ATTRv-PN). ⋯ Our findings indicate that functional test parameters reliably reflect neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms related to small-fibre damage. These findings might help to identify clinically useful biomarkers to assess patient follow-up.
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Cognitive dysfunction is part of the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations in older untreated hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis patients with peripheral polyneuropathy. ⋯ Consistent with the natural history of the disease, older age and higher severity of the disease are significantly associated and potentially predictors of cognitive dysfunction in ATTRV30M patients treated with LT. The level of cognitive dysfunction may depend on some clinical variables.