ESPE Abstracts

Background: FLNB encodes filamin B (FLNB), a protein expressed in human growth plate chondrocytes, building the cytoskeleton that gives structure to cells and allows them to change shape and move. Biallelic loss-of-function mutations in FLNB result in spondylocarpotarsal synostosis (SCT; OMIM: 272460), while heterozygous null mutations related isolated short stature (ISS) have not been well described previously.Objective:</strong...

Introduction: Familial tall stature (FTS) is defined as height taller than +2 SD in a subject growing within his/her midparental height (MPH) with no apparent dysmorphic features. FTS is routinely not an indication for genetic investigation. However, some subtle dysmorphic features of various genetic disorders might be missed justifying the need for further investigation.Aims: To elucidate the genetic cause of FTS and to...

Introduction: Ghrelin binds to its receptor GHSR1A, encoded by GHSR, on somatotrophs of the pituitary. Growth hormone (GH) secretion is enhanced by ghrelin binding as well as the receptor’s constitutive activity. Results from in vitro experiments, knock-out mice, and GWAS suggest that heterozygous loss-of-function of GHSR may be associated with short stature, but observations in case studies are equivocal. We aimed to better ch...

Background: Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the aggrecan gene (ACAN) cause autosomal dominant short stature with advanced bone age, early-onset osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc disease (SSOAOD; OMIM#165800). ACAN mutations is a relatively common finding in idiopathic short stature (ISS) and has been reported to be the cause of growth failure in approximately 2% of children with ISS. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms by ...

Introduction: In 1950s - 1960s, the thalidomide disaster resulted in congenital malformations in more than 10,000 children. Derivative of thalidomide interferes with early embryonic transcriptional regulation due to selective degradation of SALL4 protein and thus, thalidomide embryopathy phenocopies pathogenic variants of the SALL4 gene. Their phenotypes range from phocomelia, reduced radial ray, to defects of the heart, kidneys, eye, and cerebral mid...

Introduction: Vosoritide increases growth in children with achondroplasia aged 5–18 years (Savarirayan et al, Genet Med, 2021). We recently reported results from a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (111-206) in young children with achondroplasia aged 3 months–5 years Here we present results from an open-label extension study (111-208) spanning up to 4 years of treatment in the children aged 2-5 years at study star...