Hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure (HMERF) is an inherited disease that affects muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles) and muscles that are needed for breathing (respiratory muscles).

The major signs and symptoms of HMERF usually appear in adulthood, often in the mid-thirties. Among the earliest signs of the condition are breathing problems and difficulty walking. Weakness of the respiratory muscles, particularly the diaphragm (the muscle that separates the organs in the abdomen from those in the chest), causes breathing problems. This weakness worsens over time and can lead to life-threatening respiratory failure. Some affected individuals have weakness of muscles of the lower leg and foot, which makes it difficult to lift the toes while walking, a condition known as foot drop. Other muscles that become weak in people with HMERF include those of the hips, thighs, upper arms, and neck.

When viewed under a microscope, muscle fibers from affected individuals contain abnormal structures called cytoplasmic bodies. In many cases, the cytoplasmic bodies are arranged side-by-side in a ring inside the muscle fiber, resembling a necklace (necklace cytoplasmic bodies).

HMERF is a rare condition with an unknown prevalence. It has been found in populations worldwide.

HMERF is caused by mutations in the TTN gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called titin. Titin plays an important role in muscles the body uses for movement (skeletal muscles) and in heart (cardiac) muscle.

Within muscle cells, titin is an essential component of structures called sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are the basic units of muscle contraction; they are made of proteins that generate the mechanical force needed for muscles to contract. Titin has several functions within sarcomeres. One of its most important jobs is to act as a backbone in these structures, providing structure, flexibility, and stability. Titin also plays a role in chemical signaling and in assembling new sarcomeres.

The TTN gene mutations responsible for HMERF lead to the production of an altered version of the titin protein that cannot fold into its normal 3-dimensional shape. Researchers are studying how abnormally folded titin contributes to the muscle damage that underlies the signs and symptoms of HMERF. It is unclear why these effects are usually limited to skeletal muscles and respiratory muscles, and do not involve cardiac muscle.

Rarely, people with the characteristic features of HMERF do not have identified mutations in the TTN gene. In these cases, the genetic cause of the condition is unknown.

Genetic Testing Information

• Genetic Testing Registry: Myopathy, myofibrillar, 9, with early respiratory failure

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

• Hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

• MYOPATHY, MYOFIBRILLAR, 9, WITH EARLY RESPIRATORY FAILURE; MFM9

Scientific Articles on PubMed

• PubMed

• Hedberg C, Toledo AG, Gustafsson CM, Larson G, Oldfors A, Macao B. Hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure is associated with misfolding of the titin fibronectin III 119 subdomain. Neuromuscul Disord. 2014 May;24(5):373-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2014.02.003. Epub 2014 Feb 15. Citation on PubMed
• Palmio J, Evila A, Chapon F, Tasca G, Xiang F, Bradvik B, Eymard B, Echaniz-Laguna A, Laporte J, Karppa M, Mahjneh I, Quinlivan R, Laforet P, Damian M, Berardo A, Taratuto AL, Bueri JA, Tommiska J, Raivio T, Tuerk M, Golitz P, Chevessier F, Sewry C, Norwood F, Hedberg C, Schroder R, Edstrom L, Oldfors A, Hackman P, Udd B. Hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure: occurrence in various populations. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2014 Mar;85(3):345-53. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2013-304965. Epub 2013 Apr 19. Citation on PubMed
• Tasca G, Mirabella M, Broccolini A, Monforte M, Sabatelli M, Biscione GL, Piluso G, Gualandi F, Tonali PA, Udd B, Ricci E. An Italian case of hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure (HMERF) not associated with the titin kinase domain R279W mutation. Neuromuscul Disord. 2010 Nov;20(11):730-4. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2010.07.269. Epub 2010 Aug 13. Citation on PubMed
• Tasca G, Udd B. Hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure (HMERF): Still rare, but common enough. Neuromuscul Disord. 2018 Mar;28(3):268-276. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2017.12.002. Epub 2017 Dec 12. Citation on PubMed
• Toro C, Olive M, Dalakas MC, Sivakumar K, Bilbao JM, Tyndel F, Vidal N, Farrero E, Sambuughin N, Goldfarb LG. Exome sequencing identifies titin mutations causing hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure (HMERF) in families of diverse ethnic origins. BMC Neurol. 2013 Mar 20;13:29. doi: 10.1186/1471-2377-13-29. Citation on PubMed or Free article on PubMed Central
• Uruha A, Hayashi YK, Oya Y, Mori-Yoshimura M, Kanai M, Murata M, Kawamura M, Ogata K, Matsumura T, Suzuki S, Takahashi Y, Kondo T, Kawarabayashi T, Ishii Y, Kokubun N, Yokoi S, Yasuda R, Kira J, Mitsuhashi S, Noguchi S, Nonaka I, Nishino I. Necklace cytoplasmic bodies in hereditary myopathy with early respiratory failure. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2015 May;86(5):483-9. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2014-309009. Epub 2014 Sep 24. Citation on PubMed