ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: The melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and plays a pivotal role in the central regulation of body weight in the hypothalamus. In the context of the leptin-melanocortin signaling pathway, the MC4R is activated by the endogenous ligands a- and b-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone). This leads to the feeling of satiety and to a reduction in food intake. Mutations within the genes leptin, leptin receptor (LEPR), pr...

Background: FSH stimulates ovarian follicle maturation and estradiol synthesis which is responsible for breast development. Age at pubertal onset varies substantially among healthy girls. Although more than half of the variation is heritable, only a small part has been attributed to specific genetic polymorphisms identified so far.Objective and Hypotheses: We assessed the effect on pubertal onset of three genetic polymorphisms affecting FSH action.<p...

Background: An early diagnosis and treatment based on neonatal screening offers a normal cognitive development in patients affected with congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, several studies within cohorts of young adults have shown a still existing difference compared to control groups of up to eight IQ points. Moreover it has been claimed recently that a high L-T4 dose with subsequent episodes of overtreatment results in less favourable IQ outcom...

Endochondral bone formation regulates bone growth both during embryonic development and after birth. Several different autocrine/paracrine or hormonal mechanisms govern the regulation of endochondral bone formation. Among those is the pathway involving stimulatory G protein, which primarily mediates the actions of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) in the growth plate. PTHrP is synthesized in the perichondrial cells and chondrocytes at the end of bones. In the growing...

Background: Over 800 different mutations in GCK gene have been reported in the Human Gene Mutation Database, the vast majority of which result in monogenic diabetes (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, MODY type 2). The missense mutation p.Leu122Val is listed in that database as "disease-causing". However, the National Center for Biotechnology Information ClinVar database (Variation ID 585919) reports that this mutation is of "uncertain ...

Background: Autoimmune thyroid diseases are multifactorial diseases with a genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. A potential role of the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) gene, the interferon induced helicase domain 1 (IFIH1) gene, the TSH receptor (TSH-R) gene polymorphisms on autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) in children has not been established equivocally yet.Objective and hypotheses: To estimate the association...

Background: Bi-allelic mutations of CYP21A2 encoding 21-hydroxylase are the most frequent cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Non-classical CAH (NCCAH) or even just hyperandrogenism may be caused by mild or mono-allelic (single) heterozygous mutations of CYP21A2. These mutations are associated either with elevated basal or ACTH-stimulated levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) in blood.Objective and hypotheses: The objective of this study wa...

Background: Of the several genetic defects responsible for thyroid dyshormonogenesis, mutations in TPO gene are the most prevalent causes of inherited defects in CH. Prevalent mutations are in exons 8–11 (catalytic site).Case presentation: Girl, born at term (s.c) picked up by TSH screening and start of LT4 treatment at d14 with 14 μg/kg per day (table 1), clinical signs: no goiter, hypotonia, dry skin, posterior fontanel >5 mm, ...

Introduction: HLA-G gene is involved in the control of immune response. It plays a primary role on immune tolerance and may participate in controlling autoimmune responses serving as a potential independent susceptibility marker. HLA-G has been isolated in some secretory granules and on the cell surface of primary islet cells induced to secrete insulin. Subsequently, it could be hypothesized that HLA-G methylation at pancreatic islet could sustain T cell activation and onset o...

Background: In adult women, serum levels of AMH reflect both the number of small growing follicles and remaining primordial follicles. AMH levels range 15 fold between healthy girls. Interpretation of AMH is contentious due to minor intra-individual changes around time of pubertal onset despite continuous loss of primordial follicles.Objective and Hypotheses: To describe ovarian morphology (volume, follicles) in healthy girls and adolescents in relation ...