Three Patient Kindred with a Novel Phenotype of Osteogenesis Imperfecta due to a COL1A1 Variant

Nidhi Gupta1,2, Seth W. Gregory3, David R. Deyle4

  • 1Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Tennessee, USA

Insights

This study details a unique Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) presentation in a family, marked by early fractures that cease by age two. This rare OI phenotype offers new insights into bone fragility disorders.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a group of genetic disorders characterized by bone fragility and fractures.
  • Fracture incidence in OI typically peaks in childhood and adolescence, decreasing but not ceasing in adulthood.

Observation:

  • A kindred of three (mother and two sons) presented with a distinct OI phenotype.
  • Patients exhibited prenatal bone deformities and multiple nontraumatic fractures within the first two years of life.
  • A notable absence of nontraumatic fractures occurred after this early period.

Findings:

  • Two patients carried a COL1A1 gene variant (c.3548C>T; p.(Pro1183Leu)) of uncertain significance.
  • This variant has been previously associated with osteopenia in only one other individual.
  • The mother, without bisphosphonate therapy, ceased nontraumatic fractures by five months of age.

Implications:

  • This unique OI phenotype, with fracture cessation after early childhood, expands the clinical spectrum of bone fragility disorders.
  • Further research into the COL1A1 variant and its role in fracture patterns is warranted.
  • Understanding this specific OI presentation may inform long-term management strategies for affected individuals.

Related Concept Videos

Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
43.0K
Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina01:05

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

Type IV collagen is a 400 nm long, network-forming collagen that acts as a barrier between the epithelial and endothelial cells. Type IV collagen  forms the backbone of the basement membrane by scaffolding with laminin, entactin, proteoglycans, and fibronectin. Apart from rendering structural support to the basement membrane, it also helps entail signaling potentials necessary for both pathological and physiological functions.
A type IV collagen molecule has six alpha chains which can...
2.8K
Fibril-associated Collagen01:11

Fibril-associated Collagen

Fibril-associated collagens are a type of collagens present in the extracellular matrix with interrupted triple helices or FACIT (Fibril-associated collagens interrupted triple-helices). FACIT help connect and attach the collagen fibrils with each other as well as with other proteins of the extracellular matrix.
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...
3.1K
Compact Bone01:27

Compact Bone

Most bones contain compact and spongy osseous tissue, but their distribution and concentration vary based on the bone's overall function.
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...
15.6K
Incomplete Dominance01:43

Incomplete Dominance

Gregor Mendel's work (1822 - 1884) was primarily focused on pea plants. Through his initial experiments, he determined that every gene in a diploid cell has two variants called alleles inherited from each parent. He suggested that amongst these two alleles, one allele is dominant in character and the other recessive. The combination of alleles determines the phenotype of a gene in an organism.
29.4K
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
5.0K