Inherited Disorders of Connective Tissue Flashcards
What can give rise to disorders of connective tissue?
alterations of:
EC matrix and/or bone
protein structure and post-translational modifications
glycosaminoglycan structure
regulation of signaling pathways
What structures are affected by disorders of connective tissue?
cartilage
bone, tendons, ligaments
skin
blood vessel walls
eye
What are the radiologic findings in achondroplasia?
horizontal acetabular roof in the pelvis
narrowing of pedicle distance
long fibula
stenosis of foramen magnum
What is the incidence of achondroplasia? How is the gene passed down?
incidence 1:26,000 - 1:28,000
80% de novo
autosomal dominant
What are the features of achondroplasia?
metaphyseal dysplasia
short stature
disproportionate shortening of proximal limb segments (rhizomelia), short fingers
short base of skull, large head
spinal stenosis
normal intelligence
autosomal dominant inheritance
rhizomelic defect
mild ventrulomegaly
kyphosis
central and obstructive apnea, cor pulmonale
What is the molecular basis of achondroplasia?
a single base substitution resulting in a glycin -> arginine at position 380 of the gene product of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3)
gene has been found in more than 98% of individuals with achondroplasia
paternal age effect
What is the function of FGFR3?
acts as a negative regulator of chondrocyte proliferation and differentation at the growth plate
the achondroplasia mutation apparently constitutively activates this function
this results in a gain of function, and constitutive inhibition of cartilage proliferation, and therefore, reduced growth in endochondral bone
What are the pelvic defects in achondroplasia?
horizontal acetabular roof
“paddle without a handle”
deep sacro-sciatic notch
What are the spinal findings in achondroplasia?
moving head down to sacrum, the pedicles do not get further and further apart as in normal individuals
see the opposite effect instead
Which zone of bone development is affected in achondroplasia?
zone of hypertrophy
insufficient number of chondrocytes due to decreased chondrocyte proliferation
What is the role of C-natriuretic peptide?
binds to the Natriuretic Binding Receptor B (NPR-B) and in hitibts the downstream effects of FGFR3 activation
inhibits the FGFR3 reltated inhibition of chondrocyte proliferation, thereby enhancing chondrocyte proliferation andbone growth
What are the molecular mechanisms of type I hypochondroplasia? What are the resulting phenotypic effects?
associated with asn -> lys (N540K) in FGFR3 in ~70% of patients
there is evidence of locus heterogeneity
phenotype is similar, but milder than achondroplasia
What is the phenotype of type I thanatophoric dysplasia?
very severe skeletal dysplasia
long trunk
flat vertebral ossification
wide space between vertebral ossification
infants are either stillborn or die early in infancy from respiratory failure because of the very small chest and pulmonary hypoplasiaa
What are the molecular mechanisms underlying type I thanatophoric dysplasia?
arg -> cys (R248C) underlies ~45% of cases and tyr -> cys (Y373C) in 20% in FGFR3
What is the phenotype and molecular mechanisms of thanatophoric dysplasia, type 2?
phenotype is less severe than type 1
caused by lys -> glu (K650E) in the FGFR3 gene
What diseases can arise from mutations of the FGFR3 gene?
achondroplasia
hypochondroplasia
thanatophoric dysplasia types 1 and 2
cransiosynostosis, muenke Nonsyndrome Coronal Craniosynostosis
What is the incidence of osteogenesis imperfect, and how is it passed on?
incidence 1:14,000 - 1:17000
60-100% de novo
autosomal dominant