Re‐Purposing Sapropterin (Kuvan) for <scp>ACTA2</scp> ‐Related Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome: A Translational Mechanistic and First‐In‐Human Therapeutic Report

Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS) is an ultra-rare, ACTA2-related disorder characterized by severe cerebrovascular disease, aortic aneurysms, and smooth muscle dysfunction. Using molecular dynamics simulations and in silico drug screening, we identified that sapropterin dihydrochloride (Kuvan) is a candidate capable of restoring p.R179H mutation disrupted actin polymerization. Patient-derived fibroblasts demonstrated improved actin organization with Kuvan treatment. Off-label treatment in a single pediatric patient with ACTA2-MSMDS resulted in observed cerebrovascular stabilization and clinical improvement on longitudinal follow-up. These findings provide first-in-human n-of-1 translational evidence supporting sapropterin as a potential disease-modifying therapy for ACTA2-related vasculopathies, while gene-directed therapies are awaited. Further studies are needed to establish a robust therapeutic effect and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the observed cerebrovascular benefit.

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Publication Details

Journal
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Published
2026-07-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/acn3.70493
Primary Topic
Connective tissue disorders research
Type
article
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article

Re‐Purposing Sapropterin (Kuvan) for ACTA2 ‐Related Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome: A Translational Mechanistic and First‐In‐Human Therapeutic Report

Omer Bar‐Yosef, Noa Bielopolski, Miguel Weil, Livia Kapusta et al.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Connective tissue disorders research
article

Re‐Purposing Sapropterin (Kuvan) for ACTA2 ‐Related Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome: A Translational Mechanistic and First‐In‐Human Therapeutic Report

Omer Bar‐Yosef, Noa Bielopolski, Miguel Weil, Livia Kapusta, Shane Wald-Altman, Moran Hausman‐Kedem, Musolino PL, Claire Shamber, Vijai Krishnan, Shelly I Shrian
article en

Abstract

Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS) is an ultra-rare, ACTA2-related disorder characterized by severe cerebrovascular disease, aortic aneurysms, and smooth muscle dysfunction. Using molecular dynamics simulations and in silico drug screening, we identified that sapropterin dihydrochloride (Kuvan) is a candidate capable of restoring p.R179H mutation disrupted actin polymerization. Patient-derived fibroblasts demonstrated improved actin organization with Kuvan treatment. Off-label treatment in a single pediatric patient with ACTA2-MSMDS resulted in observed cerebrovascular stabilization and clinical improvement on longitudinal follow-up. These findings provide first-in-human n-of-1 translational evidence supporting sapropterin as a potential disease-modifying therapy for ACTA2-related vasculopathies, while gene-directed therapies are awaited. Further studies are needed to establish a robust therapeutic effect and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the observed cerebrovascular benefit.

Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
Harvard University (US), Tel Aviv University (IL), Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (IL), Massachusetts General Hospital (US), Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital (IL), Institute for Skin Research (Israel) (IL)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Connective tissue disorders research
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Re‐Purposing Sapropterin (Kuvan) for <scp>ACTA2</scp> ‐Related Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome: A Translational Mechanistic and First‐In‐Human Therapeutic Report — Omer Bar‐Yosef, Noa Bielopolski, et al. · Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS