Clinical Characteristics and Bone Features of Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatemic Rickets Type 1 in Three Chinese Families: Report of Five Chinese Cases and Review of the Literature

Inherited fibroblast growth factor 23 excess

Syndromes of inherited fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) excess encompass a wide spectrum that includes X-linked hypophosphataemia (XLH), autosomal dominant and recessive forms of rickets as well as various syndromic conditions namely fibrous dysplasia/McCune Albright syndrome, osteoglophonic dysplasia, Jansen's chondrodysplasia and cutaneous skeletal hypophosphataemia syndrome. A careful attention to patient symptomatology, family history and clinical features, supported by appropriate laboratory tests will help in making a diagnosis. A genetic screen may be done to confirm the diagnosis. While phosphate supplements and calcitriol continue to be the cornerstone of treatment, in recent times burosumab, the monoclonal antibody against FGF-23 has been approved for the treatment of children and adults with XLH. While health-related outcomes may be improved by ensuring adherence and compliance to prescribed treatment with a smooth transition to adult care, bony deformities may persist in some, and this would warrant surgical correction.

The First Compound Heterozygous Mutations of DMP1 Causing Rare Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatemic Rickets Type 1

CONTEXT

Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets (HR) consists of a group of inherited hypophosphatemia due to mutations of different genes, which need genetic analysis to make a differential diagnosis. Among them, autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 1 (ARHR1), caused by a homozygous mutation of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), is extremely rare, with only 30 reported patients. To date, there has been no case with compound heterozygous DMP1 mutations.

OBJECTIVE

To report the first compound heterozygous mutations of DMP1 causing ARHR1 and confirm the effect of the mutation on DMP1 protein.

METHODS

We report the clinical features of a Chinese patient with HR. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the proband. Then, Cytoscan HD array, Sanger sequencing, and genomic quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to confirm the mutations. A cell experiment was conducted to explore the effect of the mutation.

RESULTS

The proband is a 4-year-old boy, who developed genu varum when he was able to walk at age 1 year and tooth loss after a mild hit at age 3.5 years. Physical examination, biochemical measurement, and imaging finding indicated HR. Family history was negative. WES performed on the proband revealed a novel start codon mutation (c.1A > T, p.Met1Leu) in DMP1 and a large deletion involving most of the small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoprotein (SIBLING) family gene, including DSPP, DMP1, IBSP, and MEPE. The novel paternally inherited start codon mutation, which resulted in decreased expression of DMP1 protein with smaller molecular weight and cleavage defect, was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The maternally inherited deletion was validated by Cytoscan and qPCR, and the breakpoint was finally identified by long-range PCR and Sanger sequencing. Manifestation of dentin dysplasia (DD) or dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI) caused by DSPP mutations was absent in the patient and his mother, confirming that haploinsufficiency could not lead to DD or DGI.

CONCLUSION

We report for the first time compound heterozygous DMP1 mutations consisting of a large deletion and a novel start codon mutation (c.1A > T, p.Met1Leu) in a Chinese patient with ARHR1.

Whole exome sequencing identifies two novel variants in PHEX and DMP1 in Malaysian children with hypophosphatemic rickets

BACKGROUND

Hypophosphatemic rickets (HR) is a genetic disease of phosphate wasting that is characterized by defective bone mineralization. The most common cause of the disease is mutations in the phosphate regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidases on the X chromosome (PHEX) gene. The aims of this study were to identify the gene variants responsible for HR in three cases of Malaysian origin from three independent families and to describe their clinical, biochemical, and radiological features.

METHODS

Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed on all patients and their parents, followed by Sanger sequencing validation. Bioinformatics tools were used to provide supporting evidence for pathogenicity of variants. To confirm that a mutation is de novo, paternity test was carried out. High resolution melting curve analysis was performed to assess the allele frequency in normal controls for mutations that were found in the patients.

RESULTS

The patients showed typical characteristics of HR including lower limb deformity, hypophosphatemia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase. WES revealed two variants in the PHEX gene and one variant in the dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) gene. Two of the three variants were novel, including c.1946_1954del (p.Gly649_Arg651del) in PHEX and c.54 + 1G > A in DMP1. Our data suggests that the novel p.Gly649_Arg651del variant is likely pathogenic for HR disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This study extends the variant spectrum of the PHEX and DMP1 genes. Our findings indicate that WES is an advantageous approach for diagnosis of genetic diseases which are heterogeneous.

Between a rock and a hard place: Regulation of mineralization in the periodontium

The periodontium supports and attaches teeth via mineralized and nonmineralized tissues. It consists of two, unique mineralized tissues, cementum and alveolar bone. In between these tissues, lies an unmineralized, fibrous periodontal ligament (PDL), which distributes occlusal forces, nourishes and invests teeth, and harbors progenitor cells for dentoalveolar repair. Many unanswered questions remain regarding periodontal biology. This review will focus on recent research providing insights into one enduring mystery: the precise regulation of the hard-soft tissue borders in the periodontium which define the interfaces of the cementum-PDL-alveolar bone structure. We will focus on advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms that maintain the unmineralized PDL "between a rock and a hard place" by regulating the mineralization of cementum and alveolar bone.

Low Levels of Serum Sclerostin in Adult Patients With Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia Compared With X-linked Hypophosphatemia

CONTEXT

Sclerostin inhibits Wnt-β-catenin signaling, regulating bone formation. Circulating sclerostin was reported to be elevated in X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) patients, and sclerostin antibody (Scl-Ab) increased bone mass and normalized circulating phosphate in Hyp mice. However, circulating sclerostin levels in patients with acquired hypophosphatemia due to tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) are rarely reported.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to evaluate serum sclerostin levels in TIO patients compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls and XLH patients to analyze correlations with bone mineral density (BMD) and laboratory parameters.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study determined serum sclerostin levels in 190 individuals, comprising 83 adult TIO patients, 83 adult healthy controls and 24 adult XLH patients.

RESULTS

TIO patients (43 male, 40 female) aged 44.3 ± 8.7 (mean ± SD) years had lower levels of circulating sclerostin than controls (94.2 ± 45.8 vs 108.4 ± 42.3 pg/mL, P = 0.01), adjusted for age, gender, BMI, and diabetes rate. Sclerostin levels were positively associated with age (r = 0.238, P = 0.030). Male patients had higher sclerostin than female patients (104.7 ± 47.3 vs 83.0 ± 41.8 pg/mL, P = 0.014). Sclerostin levels were positively associated with L1-4 BMD (r = 0.255, P = 0.028), femoral neck BMD (r = 0.242, P = 0.039), and serum calcium (r = 0.231, P = 0.043). Comparison of sclerostin levels in TIO patients (n = 24, age 35.9 ± 7.3 years) vs XLH patients vs healthy controls revealed significant differences (respectively, 68.4 ± 31.3, 132.0 ± 68.8, and 98.6 ± 41.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Circulating sclerostin was decreased in TIO patients but increased in XLH patients, possibly due to histological abnormality and bone mass.

The Molecular Basis of Calcium and Phosphorus Inherited Metabolic Disorders

Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) hold a leading part in many skeletal and extra-skeletal biological processes. Their tight normal range in serum mirrors their critical role in human well-being. The signalling “voyage” starts at Calcium Sensing Receptor (CaSR) localized on the surface of the parathyroid glands, which captures the “oscillations” of extracellular ionized Ca and transfers the signal downstream. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), Vitamin D, Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF23) and other receptors or ion-transporters, work synergistically and establish a highly regulated signalling circuit between the bone, kidneys, and intestine to ensure the maintenance of Ca and P homeostasis. Any deviation from this well-orchestrated scheme may result in mild or severe pathologies expressed by biochemical and/or clinical features. Inherited disorders of Ca and P metabolism are rare. However, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis may cost patient’s quality of life or even life expectancy. Unravelling the thread of the molecular pathways involving Ca and P signaling, we can better understand the link between genetic alterations and biochemical and/or clinical phenotypes and help in diagnosis and early therapeutic intervention.