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Telomere length in patients with Marfan Syndrome
Tijs K Tournoy1, Simon D'hulst2, Anthony Demolder1
1Department of Cardiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
International Journal of Cardiology
|February 12, 2026
Summary
Adults with Marfan syndrome (MFS) exhibit shorter telomere length (TL), a marker of biological aging. Shorter TL in MFS patients was linked to severe cardiovascular events, suggesting accelerated aging in the disease.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Cardiology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a heritable disorder causing aortic dilatation and cardiovascular complications.
- Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in MFS contribute to telomere shortening, a sign of biological aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate telomere length (TL) in adults with Marfan syndrome compared to healthy controls.
- To explore the association between TL and cardiovascular events in MFS patients.
Main Methods:
- Relative average leukocyte telomere length (TL) was measured using a singleplex qPCR assay.
- The study included 59 adults with molecularly confirmed MFS and 59 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with MFS demonstrated significantly shorter leukocyte TL than healthy controls (p=0.033).
- Shorter TL was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events, including aortic dissection, arrhythmia, and heart failure (p=0.008).
Conclusions:
- Adults with Marfan syndrome have reduced telomere length.
- Accelerated aging mechanisms may play a role in MFS pathophysiology, with shorter TL linked to worse cardiovascular outcomes.
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