-
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases Jun 2019Familial digital arthropathy-brachydactyly (FDAB) and Thiemann disease are non-inflammatory digital arthropathies with many phenotypic similarities. Thirty-three cases... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Familial digital arthropathy-brachydactyly (FDAB) and Thiemann disease are non-inflammatory digital arthropathies with many phenotypic similarities. Thirty-three cases of Thiemann disease have been described so far (Mangat et al, Ann Rheum Dis 64:11-2, 2005; Ha et al, Thiemann's disease: a case Report, 2017) but no gene variants have been identified as causative to date. FDAB is reported in only a few patients and has been associated with three heterozygous missense variants in the Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) gene. We report a TRPV4 variant in a father and son referred with a diagnosis of Thiemann disease and compare the clinical and radiological features of Thiemann disease with Familial digital arthropathy-brachydactyly (FDAB). We hypothesize that these two entities may be one and the same.
METHODS
We describe a father and son referred with a diagnosis of Thiemann disease who were subsequently identified with a heterozygous variant (c.809G > T) in TRPV4. The identical genetic variant was previously reported to cause FDAB. A PUBMED® database search was conducted to retrieve articles related to Thiemann disease and FDAB. We were able to review the clinical and radiological findings of nineteen individuals affected by Thiemann disease and compare them with three families affected by FDAB.
RESULTS
Thiemann disease initially affects the proximal interphalangeal joints and primarily the middle phalangeal bases. In FDAB, the distal phalangeal joints are first affected with the middle phalangeal heads being the primary site of changes. Radial deviation has only been described in FDAB. Our analysis determined that 5 of 20 individuals affected by Thiemann disease have clinical and radiological findings that also fit well with FDAB.
CONCLUSION
FDAB and Thiemann disease are non-inflammatory digital arthropathies with phenotypic overlap. Although more extensive joint involvement, a distal hand joint preponderance and brachydactyly are expected in FDAB, there are striking clinical and radiological similarities between the two entities. Our analysis suggests that these two phenotypes may represent phenotypic variability of the same entity. Despite many attempts to identify other reported patients affected by Thiemann disease, we were not able to procure DNA from any of the cases to verify our findings. Genetic testing of an affected individual will be crucial in order to provide accurate reproductive genetic counselling about the autosomal dominant nature of this condition.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Arthritis; Child; Female; Hand Joints; Humans; Male; Osteoarthritis; Osteonecrosis; TRPV Cation Channels; Young Adult
PubMed: 31248428
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-1138-x -
Matrix Biology Plus Aug 2021Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) are important growth regulators in embryogenesis and postnatal homeostasis. Their tight regulation is crucial for successful embryonic... (Review)
Review
Bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) are important growth regulators in embryogenesis and postnatal homeostasis. Their tight regulation is crucial for successful embryonic development as well as tissue homeostasis in the adult organism. BMP inhibition by natural extracellular biologic antagonists represents the most intensively studied mechanistic concept of BMP growth factor regulation. It was shown to be critical for numerous developmental programs, including germ layer specification and spatiotemporal gradients required for the establishment of the dorsal-ventral axis and organ formation. The importance of BMP antagonists for extracellular matrix homeostasis is illustrated by the numerous human connective tissue disorders caused by their mutational inactivation. Here, we will focus on the known functional interactions targeting BMP antagonists to the ECM and discuss how these interactions influence BMP antagonist activity. Moreover, we will provide an overview about the current concepts and investigated molecular mechanisms modulating BMP inhibitor function in the context of development and disease.
PubMed: 34435185
DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2021.100071 -
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research :... Mar 2022Skeletal disorders, including both isolated and syndromic brachydactyly type E, derive from genetic defects affecting the fine tuning of the network of pathways involved...
Skeletal disorders, including both isolated and syndromic brachydactyly type E, derive from genetic defects affecting the fine tuning of the network of pathways involved in skeletogenesis and growth-plate development. Alterations of different genes of this network may result in overlapping phenotypes, as exemplified by disorders due to the impairment of the parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein pathway, and obtaining a correct diagnosis is sometimes challenging without a genetic confirmation. Five patients with Albright's hereditary osteodystrophy (AHO)-like skeletal malformations without a clear clinical diagnosis were analyzed by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and novel potentially pathogenic variants in parathyroid hormone like hormone (PTHLH) (BDE with short stature [BDE2]) and TRPS1 (tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome [TRPS]) were discovered. The pathogenic impact of these variants was confirmed by in vitro functional studies. This study expands the spectrum of genetic defects associated with BDE2 and TRPS and demonstrates the pathogenicity of TRPS1 missense variants located outside both the nuclear localization signal and the GATA ((A/T)GATA(A/G)-binding zinc-containing domain) and Ikaros-like binding domains. Unfortunately, we could not find distinctive phenotypic features that might have led to an earlier clinical diagnosis, further highlighting the high degree of overlap among skeletal syndromes associated with brachydactyly and AHO-like features, and the need for a close interdisciplinary workout in these rare patients. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Topics: Brachydactyly; DNA-Binding Proteins; Fingers; Hair Diseases; Humans; Langer-Giedion Syndrome; Nose; Parathyroid Hormone; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; Pseudohypoparathyroidism; Repressor Proteins
PubMed: 34897794
DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4490 -
Current Hypertension Reviews 2020Advances in molecular research techniques have enabled a new frontier in discerning the mechanisms responsible for monogenic diseases. In this review, we discuss the... (Review)
Review
Advances in molecular research techniques have enabled a new frontier in discerning the mechanisms responsible for monogenic diseases. In this review, we discuss the current research on the molecular pathways governing blood pressure disorders with a Mendelian inheritance pattern, each presenting with a unique pathophysiology. Glucocorticoid Remediable Aldosteronism (GRA) and Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess (AME) are caused by mutations in regulatory enzymes that induce increased production of mineralocorticoids or inhibit degradation of glucocorticoids, respectively. Geller syndrome is due to a point mutation in the hormone responsive element of the promotor for the mineralocorticoid receptor, rendering the receptor susceptible to activation by progesterone, leading to hypertension during pregnancy. Pseudohypoaldosteronism type II (PHA-II), also known as Gordon's syndrome or familial hyperkalemic hypertension, is a more variable disorder typically characterized by hypertension, high plasma potassium and metabolic acidosis. Mutations in a variety of intracellular enzymes that lead to enhanced sodium reabsorption have been identified. In contrast, hypertension in Liddle's syndrome, which results from mutations in the Epithelial sodium Channel (ENaC), is associated with low plasma potassium and metabolic alkalosis. In Liddle's syndrome, truncation of one the ENaC protein subunits removes a binding site necessary protein for ubiquitination and degradation, thereby promoting accumulation along the apical membrane and enhanced sodium reabsorption. The myriad effects due to mutation in phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) lead to severe hypertension underlying sodium-independent autosomal dominant hypertension with brachydactyly. How mutations in PDE3A result in the phenotypic features of this disorder are discussed. Understanding the pathologies of these monogenic hypertensive disorders may provide insight into the causes of the more prevalent essential hypertension and new avenues to unravel the complexities of blood pressure regulation.
Topics: Blood Pressure; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Heredity; Humans; Hypertension; Inheritance Patterns; Mutation; Pedigree; Phenotype; Prognosis; Risk Factors
PubMed: 30963979
DOI: 10.2174/1573402115666190409115330 -
American Journal of Medical Genetics.... Sep 2020Saul-Wilson syndrome (SWS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by microcephalic primordial dwarfism, spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia, characteristic...
Saul-Wilson syndrome (SWS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by microcephalic primordial dwarfism, spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia, characteristic facial findings, clubfoot, brachydactyly, bilateral cataracts, and hearing loss. Recently, recurrent mutations in COG4, encoding a component of the Conserved Oligomeric Golgi (COG) complex, were identified. We created detailed growth curves for stature, weight, and head circumference, as well as weight-for-length and weight velocity charts for younger children, derived from hundreds of data points obtained by retrospective chart review from 14 individuals with molecularly-confirmed SWS. In addition, we performed statistical comparisons of height-for-age model fits before and after initiation of growth hormone supplementation, and found that this therapy does not appear to influence height in individuals with SWS. We hope that these charts will represent valuable tools for clinicians, both in assessing whether SWS seems an appropriate diagnosis, as well as to monitor growth of affected individuals. In particular, we hope that our detailed growth characterization will reduce morbidity resulting from unnecessarily aggressive nutritional interventions by well-intentioned physicians trying to promote weight gain, an unrealistic goal in this genetically-determined cause of primordial dwarfism.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Body Height; Child; Child, Preschool; Clubfoot; Dwarfism; Facies; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Microcephaly; Mutation; Osteochondrodysplasias; Vesicular Transport Proteins; Young Adult
PubMed: 32652690
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61754 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2020Epigenetic processes are critical for governing the complex spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression in neurodevelopment. One such mechanism is the dynamic network of... (Review)
Review
Epigenetic processes are critical for governing the complex spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression in neurodevelopment. One such mechanism is the dynamic network of post-translational histone modifications that facilitate recruitment of transcription factors or even directly alter chromatin structure to modulate gene expression. This is a tightly regulated system, and mutations affecting the function of a single histone-modifying enzyme can shift the normal epigenetic balance and cause detrimental developmental consequences. In this review, we will examine select neurodevelopmental conditions that arise from mutations in genes encoding enzymes that regulate histone methylation and acetylation. The methylation-related conditions discussed include Wiedemann-Steiner, Kabuki, and Sotos syndromes, and the acetylation-related conditions include Rubinstein-Taybi, KAT6A, genitopatellar/Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson, and brachydactyly mental retardation syndromes. In particular, we will discuss the clinical/phenotypic and genetic basis of these conditions and the model systems that have been developed to better elucidate cellular and systemic pathological mechanisms.
PubMed: 33488679
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.613098 -
Skin Appendage Disorders Jun 2023Onychodystrophy has been described in association with certain bone disorders, including Nail-Patella Syndrome, Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, Coffin-Siris...
INTRODUCTION
Onychodystrophy has been described in association with certain bone disorders, including Nail-Patella Syndrome, Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, Coffin-Siris Syndrome, and congenital brachydactyly. However, nail changes associated with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) has not been documented.
CASE PRESENTATION
An 11-year-old male with history of MED presented with thickened, dystrophic appearing fingernails. Physical examination was significant for fingernail longitudinal ridges and grooves, thinning, and distal splitting. Dermoscopy revealed superficial desquamation. Nail clippings were negative for microbial pathogens. Hand X-rays showed brachydactyly, shortening of the metacarpals, and sclerotic epiphyses of the bilateral 5th distal phalanges and right 2nd distal phalanx.
CONCLUSION
This is the first documented case of MED with onychodystrophy, supporting the link between phalangeal formation and nail development. It is important to perform a careful examination of the nail units in patients with skeletal dysplasia and screen patients with characteristic and unexplained nail changes for bony changes. Living with skeletal disease is extremely challenging, and treatment of associated nail disease can improve quality of life for these patients.
PubMed: 37325279
DOI: 10.1159/000528474 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Oct 2023Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) and related disorders newly referred to as inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorders (iPPSD) are rare endocrine diseases. Many clinical...
BACKGROUND
Pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) and related disorders newly referred to as inactivating PTH/PTHrP signaling disorders (iPPSD) are rare endocrine diseases. Many clinical features including obesity, neurocognitive impairment, brachydactyly, short stature, parathyroid hormone (PTH) resistance, and resistance to other hormones such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) have been well described, yet they refer mainly to the full development of the disease during late childhood and adulthood.
OBJECTIVE
A significant delay in diagnosis has been reported; therefore, our objective is to increase awareness on neonatal and early infancy presentation of the diseases. To do so, we analyzed a large cohort of iPPSD/PHP patients.
METHODS
We included 136 patients diagnosed with iPPSD/PHP. We retrospectively collected data on birth and investigated the rate of neonatal complications occurring in each iPPSD/PHP category within the first month of life.
RESULTS
Overall 36% of patients presented at least one neonatal complication, far more than the general population; when considering only the patients with iPPSD2/PHP1A, it reached 47% of the patients. Neonatal hypoglycemia and transient respiratory distress appeared significantly frequent in this latter group, ie, 10.5% and 18.4%, respectively. The presence of neonatal features was associated with earlier resistance to TSH (P < 0.001) and with the development of neurocognitive impairment (P = 0.02) or constipation (P = 0.04) later in life.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that iPPSD/PHP and especially iPPSD2/PHP1A newborns require specific care at birth because of an increased risk of neonatal complications. These complications may predict a more severe course of the disease; however, they are unspecific which likely explains the diagnostic delay.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Chromogranins; Delayed Diagnosis; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; Pseudohypoparathyroidism; Rare Diseases; Retrospective Studies; Thyrotropin
PubMed: 37098127
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad236 -
Clinical Case Reports Jul 2022We report a preterm male neonate presenting with a short trunk, short neck, low hairline, deformed ears, preauricular skin tag, penoscrotal transposition (PT), palmar...
We report a preterm male neonate presenting with a short trunk, short neck, low hairline, deformed ears, preauricular skin tag, penoscrotal transposition (PT), palmar crease, short and broad fingers and toes (brachydactyly), hypoplastic and deep-set nails, metatarsal abductus, and cross-fused, small echogenic kidneys. Radiologic findings and genetic studies are consistent with spondylocostal dysostosis (SCD) and autosomal dominant brachydactyly. This is the first case report of spondylocostal dysostosis and brachydactyly associated with and variants. We reviewed the literature and compared our patient's phenotype with previously reported cases of SCD.
PubMed: 35846898
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.6000 -
Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000) Feb 2021Craniofacial and limb defects are two of the most common congenital anomalies in the general population. Interestingly, these defects are not mutually exclusive. Many... (Review)
Review
Craniofacial and limb defects are two of the most common congenital anomalies in the general population. Interestingly, these defects are not mutually exclusive. Many patients with craniofacial phenotypes, such as orofacial clefting and craniosynostosis, also present with limb defects, including polydactyly, syndactyly, brachydactyly, or ectrodactyly. The gene regulatory networks governing craniofacial and limb development initially seem distinct from one another, and yet these birth defects frequently occur together. Both developmental processes are highly conserved among vertebrates, and zebrafish have emerged as an advantageous model due to their high fecundity, relative ease of genetic manipulation, and transparency during development. Here we summarize studies that have used zebrafish models to study human syndromes that present with both craniofacial and limb phenotypes. We discuss the highly conserved processes of craniofacial and limb/fin development and describe recent zebrafish studies that have explored the function of genes associated with human syndromes with phenotypes in both structures. We attempt to identify commonalities between the two to help explain why craniofacial and limb anomalies often occur together.
Topics: Animals; Craniofacial Abnormalities; Disease Models, Animal; Limb Deformities, Congenital; Zebrafish
PubMed: 33393730
DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23407