LAUSR

ABSTRACT Introduction Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder most commonly due to pathogenic variants in the transforming growth factor beta receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. There have been reports of a few sporadic cases of LDS patients exhibiting a vitreoretinopathy phenotype due to pathogenic variants in the TGFBR2 gene. Case Presentation We report a 13-year-old female with LDS who harbored a de novo pathogenic missense variant (c.1582C>T, p.Arg528Cys) in TGFBR2. She presented with reduced visual acuity in the right eye due to a vitreous hemorrhage. Fluorescein angiography identified neovascularization in the right eye with peripheral avascular retina in both eyes. These phenotypic features were similar to those seen in familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment in the right eye led to visual improvement, followed by laser photocoagulation of the peripheral retina of both eyes to mitigate future complications. Discussion This is the second reported case of a missense variant at the amino acid residue 528 (Arg528) of TGFBR2 that results in a FEVR-like phenotype in a LDS patient. In silico protein prediction and machine learning analyses of the affected region of the TGFBR2 protein suggest this missense variant disrupts the protein kinase domain. We hypothesize this change influences the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, leading to abnormal retinal vasculogenesis. Conclusions This case highlights the importance of a genotype to phenotype relationship in LDS and suggests that certain variants in TGFBR2 may predispose to vitreoretinopathy. Recognition of this is important as timely anti-VEGF and laser intervention can limit visual threatening complications.