Matrix Gla protein deficiency impairs nasal septum growth, causing midface hypoplasia

Genetic and environmental factors may lead to abnormal growth of the orofacial skeleton, affecting the overall structure of the face. In this study, we investigated the craniofacial abnormalities in a mouse model for Keutel syndrome, a rare genetic disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene. Keutel syndrome patients show diffuse ectopic calcification of cartilaginous tissues and impaired midface development. Our comparative cephalometric analyses of micro-computed tomography images revealed a severe midface hypoplasia in Mgp^-/- mice. In vivo reporter studies demonstrated that the Mgp promoter is highly active at the cranial sutures, cranial base synchondroses, and nasal septum. Interestingly, the cranial sutures of the mutant mice showed normal anatomical features. Although we observed a mild increase in mineralization of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis, it did not reduce the relative length of the cranial base in comparison with total skull length. Contrary to this, we found the nasal septum to be abnormally mineralized and shortened in Mgp^-/- mice. Transgenic restoration of Mgp expression in chondrocytes fully corrected the craniofacial anomalies caused by MGP deficiency, suggesting a local role for MGP in the developing nasal septum. Although there was no up-regulation of markers for hypertrophic chondrocytes, a TUNEL assay showed a marked increase in apoptotic chondrocytes in the calcified nasal septum. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed unusual mineral deposits in the septal extracellular matrix of the mutant mice. Of note, the systemic reduction of the inorganic phosphate level was sufficient to prevent abnormal mineralization of the nasal septum in Mgp^-/-;Hyp compound mutants. Our work provides evidence that modulation of local and systemic factors regulating extracellular matrix mineralization can be possible therapeutic strategies to prevent ectopic cartilage calcification and some forms of congenital craniofacial anomalies in humans.