Severe Malignant Osteopetrosis Caused by a GL Gene Mutation

P Quarello, M Forni, L Barberis… - Journal of Bone and …, 2004 - academic.oup.com
P Quarello, M Forni, L Barberis, C Defilippi, MF Campagnoli, L Silvestro, A Frattini
Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2004academic.oup.com
Infantile malignant autosomal recessive osteopetrosis is a genetically heterogeneous
disease caused by the inability of OCLs to resorb and remodel bone, resulting in
generalized osteosclerosis and obliteration of marrow spaces and cranial foramina. The
classical clinical features are pathological fractures, visual impairment, and bone marrow
failure. Two human genes have been described as the cause of this form of osteopetrosis:
the T‐cell immune‐regulator‐1 (TCIRG1) gene, which is mutated in> 50% of the patients …
Abstract
Infantile malignant autosomal recessive osteopetrosis is a genetically heterogeneous disease caused by the inability of OCLs to resorb and remodel bone, resulting in generalized osteosclerosis and obliteration of marrow spaces and cranial foramina. The classical clinical features are pathological fractures, visual impairment, and bone marrow failure.
Two human genes have been described as the cause of this form of osteopetrosis: the T‐cell immune‐regulator‐1 (TCIRG1) gene, which is mutated in >50% of the patients, and the chloride channel 7 (ClCN7) gene, which accounts for ∼10% of cases. We report the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic findings of the first human osteopetrosis case caused by a mutation in the grey‐lethal (GL) gene. The patient, a 9‐day‐old male infant, presented with a very severe osteopetrotic phenotype including substantial hepatosplenomegaly since birth, cytopenia, and progressive major liver failure. Skeletal radiographs revealed a generalized increase in bone density with loss of corticomedullary differentiation. Histopathologic bone examination showed the typical osteopetrotic changes, with absence of resorptive activity, and osteoclasts, slightly decreased in number, with evident morphological alterations.
Oxford University Press