Kisho is an information platform, not a medical provider. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. All content is aggregated from publicly available sources (including ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, FDA.gov, and Orphanet) and is provided for informational purposes only. Clinical trial eligibility, treatment decisions, and any health-related actions should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. Kisho does not endorse any specific therapy, organization, or clinical trial. Terms of use · Privacy policy
Familial Partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type (FPLD2) is a rare form of genetic lipodystrophy characterized by a loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue from the trunk, buttocks and limbs; fat accumulation in the neck, face, axillary and pelvic regions; muscular hypertrophy; and usually associated with metabolic complications such as insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and liver steatosis.
Features include always present findings: Increased facial adipose tissue, Myopathy, Insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus, and Constrictive median neuropathy and others; and very common findings: Hyperglycemia, Prominent superficial veins, Hepatic steatosis, and Loss of truncal subcutaneous adipose tissue. 75 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Muscles | 8 | Achilles tendon contracture, Myopathy, Muscle weakness |
Digestive system | 7 | Low HDL ("good") cholesterol (decreased hdl cholesterol concentration), Acute pancreatitis, Pancreatitis |
Heart and blood vessels | 7 | Enlarged and weakened heart (dilated cardiomyopathy), Premature coronary artery atherosclerosis, Atrial fibrillation |
Lab test results | 5 | Elevated circulating aspartate aminotransferase concentration, Elevated circulating alanine aminotransferase concentration, Increased LDL cholesterol concentration |
Skin | 4 | Reduced subcutaneous adipose tissue, Loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue in limbs, Alopecia |
Head and neck | 3 | Increased facial adipose tissue, Round face, Progeroid facial appearance |
Hormones | 3 | Insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus, Type II diabetes mellitus, Insulin resistance |
Bones and joints | 3 | Skeletal muscle hypertrophy, Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis), Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis) |
Growth and development | 2 | Short stature, Failure to thrive |
Blood and immune system | 2 | Elevated hemoglobin A1c, Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) |
Kidneys and urinary system | 1 | Abnormal circulating creatinine concentration |
Brain and nerves | 1 | Constrictive median neuropathy |
Arms and legs | 1 | Loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue in limbs |
Age of onset: later in life.
LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by left ventricular enlargement and/or reduced systolic function frequently preceded or accompanied by significant conduction system disease. Age of onset. While LMNA-related DCM usually presents in adulthood either with conduction system disease commonly accompanied by arrhythmias or with symptomatic DCM (including heart failure or embolus from a left ventricular mural thrombus), it may also be present in asymptomatic individuals: conduction system disease, arrhythmia, or DCM may be discovered during a medical evaluation conducted for another reason (e.g., a routine preoperative EKG) or clinical screening of at-risk relatives . Presenting signs, timing, and progression.
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
LMNA encodes lamin A/C (664 aa). Lamins are intermediate filament proteins that assemble into a filamentous meshwork, and which constitute the major components of the nuclear lamina, a fibrous layer on the nucleoplasmic side of the inner nuclear membrane. Highest expression in Cells Cultured fibroblasts (392.7 TPM) and Artery Aorta (300.6 TPM).
Familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type is associated with mutations in the LMNA gene on chromosome 1.
The LMNA protein participates in p-S22, S395-LMNA-2, p-S22, S395-LMNA-1, and Expression of LMNA pathways.
LMNA is classified as a druggable target (Clinically Actionable and Druggable Genome categories) with score 1.9.
No specific genotype-phenotype correlations have been established for LMNA-related DCM. A few studies focusing on pathogenic variant type suggest a correlation between splice site variants and increased risk for sudden cardiac death , and between non-missense variants (indel, truncating, splice site) and risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmias.
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
LMNA-related DCM demonstrates age-related penetrance with onset in the third and fourth decades, so that by the seventh decade penetrance is considered greater than 90%-95%.
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
LMNA-related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) should be considered in individuals with the following clinical findings and family history.
Clinical findings
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
The genetic differential diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) should include all genes known to be associated with nonsyndromic DCM. Particular attention can be focused on nonsyndromic DCM-related genes that have been associated with arrhythmia and conduction system disease phenotypes (see Dilated Cardiomyopathy Overview, Table 2. Nonsyndromic Dilated Cardiomyopathy Genes: Distinguishing Features).
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
Genetic testing for LMNA is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type has been reported in the published literature.
No approved treatments are currently available for familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
Guidelines for the clinical evaluation and surveillance of individuals with LMNA-related DCM and other genetic cardiomyopathies have been published . Additional guidance regarding the management of arrhythmic disease in LMNA-related DCM is also available . Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with LMNA-related DCM, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 3. Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with LMNA-Related DCM
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
arrhythmia | Comprehensive cardiovascular eval incl clinical cardiovascular history physical exam. Review history of presyncope, syncope, resuscitated sudden cardiac death, palpitations, other symptoms of conduction system disease arrhythmia | EKG |
DCM | Review history of shortness of breath, dyspnea on exertion, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, chest pain. | Assessment of left ventricular enlargement function by 2-dimensional echocardiography or cardiac MRI |
counseling | By genetics professionals1 | To inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of LMNA-related DCM in order to facilitate medical personal decision making CK = creatine kinase; MOI = mode of inheritance 1. |
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
Drugs (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, others) that exacerbate heart block, if present, should be avoided in LMNA-related DCM unless an electronic pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator is in place.
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
Drugs aimed at reducing mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling, a mechanism which has been shown to be increased in LMNA-associated DCM, are actively under investigation (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02351856) . Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
View trials for familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type
Table 5.
Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with LMNA-related DCM
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency
| Cardiovascular eval for disease progression w/EKG, 24-48 hr rhythm monitoring, LV function measurement | Annually (at a minimum)
| Cardiovascular eval (medical history, physical exam, echocardiogram, EKG) | Every 1-2 yrs /or whenever new symptoms arise
Source: GeneReviews — "LMNA-Related Dilated Cardiomyopathy"
Phenotype severity distribution: 13 always present features, 4 very common features, 21 common features.
Estimated prevalence: Unknown (Unknown prevalence).
No clinical trials have been registered for familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type.
9 publications have been identified in PubMed for familial partial lipodystrophy, Dunnigan type. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (44%), Diagnostic / Biomarker (22%), and Basic Science / Preclinical (22%).
Mendoza C (2026). [PMID: 42039119](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42039119/). *Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Duque-Cordoba PA (2026). [PMID: 41710646](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41710646/). *The application of clinical genetics*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Li Y (2025). [PMID: 40619352](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40619352/). *BMC pediatrics*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Anum X (2025). [PMID: 40367289](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40367289/). *The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Ivanova OA (2025). [PMID: 39948343](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39948343/). *Scientific reports*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Barile AM (2025). [PMID: 39470804](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39470804/). *Acta diabetologica*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Ceccarini G (2024). [PMID: 38358463](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38358463/). *Journal of endocrinological investigation*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Donadille B (2024). [PMID: 38678257](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38678257/). *Orphanet journal of rare diseases*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Vatier C (2024). [PMID: 38871502](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38871502/). *Annales d'endocrinologie*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Data assembled from 7 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 2:53 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center