ESPE Abstracts

Background: PAPP-A2 (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2) deficiency, caused by homozygous mutations in the PAPP-A2 gene results in a novel syndrome of significant growth failure. PAPP-A2 cleaves IGF binding proteins 3 and 5, thereby freeing IGF-I from its ternary complex and allowing it to become biologically active. We recently reported the first two families with PAPP-A2 mutations. Response to recombinant human IGF-I (rhIGF-1) in these patients is unknown.<p class="a...

Background: Familial isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) type II is autosomal dominantly inherited and caused by splice-site mutations and nucleotide substitutions in the GH1 gene. The missense mutation R183H is a well-described genetic variant that causes familial IGHD type II. Individuals with this mutation have releasable GH stores, but GH secretion is severely reduced resulting in short stature.Objective and hypotheses: This study aimed to repo...

Background: Aggrecan (ACAN) is a proteoglycan found in the extracellular matrix of articular and growth plate cartilage. Animal studies have shown that mutations in the ACAN gene lead to premature hypertrophic chondrocyte maturation, causing accelerated cartilage ossification. Patients with ACAN deficiency present with dominantly inherited short stature, often with advanced skeletal maturation and premature growth cessation, as well as early-onset joint diseas...