Arterial tortuosity syndrome is a disorder that affects connective tissue. Connective tissue provides strength and flexibility to structures throughout the body, including blood vessels, skin, joints, and the gastrointestinal tract.

As its name suggests, arterial tortuosity syndrome is characterized by blood vessel abnormalities, particularly abnormal twists and turns (tortuosity) of the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body (the arteries). Tortuosity arises from abnormal elongation of the arteries; since the end points of the arteries are fixed, the extra length twists and curves. Other blood vessel abnormalities that may occur in this disorder include constriction (stenosis) and abnormal bulging (aneurysm) of vessels, as well as small clusters of enlarged blood vessels just under the skin (telangiectasia).

Complications resulting from the abnormal arteries can be life-threatening. Rupture of an aneurysm or sudden tearing (dissection) of the layers in an arterial wall can result in massive loss of blood from the circulatory system. Blockage of blood flow to vital organs such as the heart, lungs, or brain can lead to heart attacks, respiratory problems, and strokes. Stenosis of the arteries forces the heart to work harder to pump blood and may lead to heart failure. As a result of these complications, arterial tortuosity syndrome is often fatal in childhood, although some individuals with mild cases of the disorder live into adulthood.

Features of arterial tortuosity syndrome outside the circulatory system are caused by abnormal connective tissue in other parts of the body. These features include joints that are either loose and very flexible (hypermobile) or that have deformities limiting movement (contractures), and unusually soft and stretchable skin. Some affected individuals have long, slender fingers and toes (arachnodactyly); curvature of the spine (scoliosis); or a chest that is either sunken (pectus excavatum) or protruding (pectus carinatum). They may have protrusion of organs through gaps in muscles (hernias), elongation of the intestines, or pouches called diverticula in the intestinal walls.

People with arterial tortuosity syndrome often look older than their age and have distinctive facial features including a long, narrow face with droopy cheeks; eye openings that are narrowed (blepharophimosis) with outside corners that point downward (downslanting palpebral fissures); a beaked nose with soft cartilage; a high, arched roof of the mouth (palate); a small lower jaw (micrognathia); and large ears. The cornea, which is the clear front covering of the eye, may be cone-shaped and abnormally thin (keratoconus).

Arterial tortuosity syndrome is caused by mutations in the SLC2A10 gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called GLUT10. The level of GLUT10 appears to be involved in the regulation of a process called the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway. This pathway is involved in cell growth and division (proliferation) and the process by which cells mature to carry out special functions (differentiation). The TGF-β signaling pathway is also involved in bone and blood vessel development and the formation of the extracellular matrix, an intricate lattice of proteins and other molecules that forms in the spaces between cells and defines the structure and properties of connective tissues.

SLC2A10 gene mutations that cause arterial tortuosity syndrome reduce or eliminate GLUT10 function. By mechanisms that are not well understood, a lack (deficiency) of functional GLUT10 protein leads to overactivity (upregulation) of TGF-β signaling. Excessive growth signaling results in elongation of the arteries, leading to tortuosity. Overactive TGF-β signaling also interferes with normal formation of the connective tissues in other parts of the body, leading to the additional signs and symptoms of arterial tortuosity syndrome.

Normal Function

The SLC2A10 gene provides instructions for making a protein called GLUT10. GLUT10 is classified as a glucose transporter; this type of protein moves the simple sugar glucose across cell membranes and helps maintain proper levels of glucose within cells. However, GLUT10 has some structural differences from other glucose transporters, and its role in the movement of glucose or other substances is unclear.

The level of GLUT10 appears to be involved in the regulation of a process called the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway. This pathway is involved in cell growth and division (proliferation) and the process by which cells mature to carry out special functions (differentiation). The TGF-β signaling pathway is also involved in bone and blood vessel development and the formation of the extracellular matrix, an intricate lattice of proteins and other molecules that forms in the spaces between cells and defines the structure and properties of connective tissues. Connective tissue provides strength and flexibility to structures throughout the body, including blood vessels, skin, joints, and the gastrointestinal tract.

Studies indicate that GLUT10 may also be involved in the functioning of mitochondria, the energy-producing centers within cells.

Health Conditions Related to Genetic Changes

Arterial tortuosity syndrome

At least 23 SLC2A10 gene mutations have been identified in people with arterial tortuosity syndrome, a connective tissue disorder characterized by abnormal curving and twisting (tortuosity) of the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body (arteries) and other health problems.

The mutations that cause arterial tortuosity syndrome reduce or eliminate GLUT10 function. By mechanisms that are not well understood, a lack (deficiency) of functional GLUT10 protein leads to overactivity (upregulation) of TGF-β signaling. Excessive growth signaling results in elongation of the arteries. Since the end points of the arteries are fixed, the extra length twists and curves, leading to tortuosity. Overactive TGF-β signaling also interferes with normal formation of the connective tissues in other parts of the body, leading to the joint and skin abnormalities and other features of arterial tortuosity syndrome.

Changes in mitochondrial function related to GLUT10 deficiency may also affect cardiovascular system development, but the relationship between mitochondrial function and the specific signs and symptoms of arterial tortuosity syndrome is unclear.

Other disorders

Several normal variations (polymorphisms) of the SLC2A10 gene have been associated with an increased risk of peripheral artery disease in people with type 2 diabetes, a disorder in which resistance to the hormone insulin leads to excess glucose levels in the blood (hyperglycemia). Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which an accumulation of fatty deposits and scar-like tissue in the lining of the arteries (atherosclerosis) reduces blood flow to the legs, causing pain when walking. Problems with blood vessels, including peripheral artery disease, are common in type 2 diabetes, and are believed to be related to the effect of hyperglycemia on TGF-β signaling. Alterations in the GLUT10 protein caused by SLC2A10 gene variations may also affect TGF-β signaling and increase the risk of blood vessel problems in diabetes.

Other Names for This Gene

• ATS
• glucose transporter type 10
• GLUT-10
• GLUT10
• GTR10_HUMAN
• solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 10
• solute carrier family 2, facilitated glucose transporter member 10

Genomic Location

This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.

Arterial tortuosity syndrome is a rare disorder; its prevalence is unknown. About 100 cases have been reported in the medical literature.