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Updated: Apr 6, 2026

Targeted Next-generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Pipeline to Evaluate Genetic Determinants of Constitutional Disease
Published on: April 4, 2018
Genetic Variants Associated with Port-Wine Stains
Alice Frigerio1, Karol Wright2, Whitney Wooderchak-Donahue3
1Carolyn and Peter Lynch Center for Laser and Reconstructive Surgery, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otology and Laryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
Genetic analysis reveals GNAQ mutations are the primary cause of port-wine stains (PWS). This finding advances understanding of PWS and aids in developing targeted treatments for this common vascular malformation.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Malformations
- Human Genetics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Port-wine stains (PWS) are common capillary malformations affecting 0.3% of the population, primarily on the head and neck.
- Current research suggests somatic mutations disrupting vascular development cause PWS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic underpinnings of isolated port-wine stains.
- To identify genetic variants associated with PWS development and explore potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a custom next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel and digital PCR on paired affected and healthy skin tissue from 12 individuals.
- Developed a subtractive correction method to enhance detection of low-level mosaicism in NGS data.
Main Results:
- Identified a novel somatic GNAQ variant (c.547C>G, p.Arg183Gly) in one case and confirmed a previously reported GNAQ variant (c.548G>A, p.Arg183Gln) in 9 out of 12 cases.
- Detected two novel somatic variants in RASA1, though not predicted to be deleterious.
- Digital PCR validated NGS findings for novel variants.
Conclusions:
- GNAQ mutations are strongly implicated as the primary genetic drivers of isolated, non-syndromic port-wine stains.
- This study differentiates PWS from RASA1-related capillary malformations, aiding clinical assessment.
- Findings provide crucial insights for developing novel PWS treatment strategies.
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