ESPE Abstracts

Background: Differentiation of the gonads in men is closely dependent on Sertoli cells maturation. Differences of sex development (DSD) are caused by variations in this process. The study of the mechanisms underlying these complex conditions is crucial for optimal clinical management and Sertoli cells would be an ideal model for this purpose. However, there are two main obstacles for the study of human Sertoli cells. Firstly, mature human Sertoli cells lose their proliferation...

Background: The process of sexual differentiation is central for reproduction of almost all metazoan. Recently, we identified CBX2.1 a chromatin architecture regulator, as an essential transactivator for human male gonadal development. CBX2 has a second isoform CBX2.2. Since nothing is known about the role of CBX2.2 in human sex development, we took advantage of the p.C132R mutation in CBX2.2 in a 46,XY disorder of sex development (DSD) patient with complete female phenotype a...

Background: Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1/NR5A1) plays a crucial role in regulating adrenal development, gonad determination and differentiation, and in the hypothalamic-pituitary control of reproduction and metabolism. In men (46, XY) mutations in SF-1/NR5A1 gene cause a wide phenotypic spectrum that ranges from complete testicular dysgenesis with Müllerian structures and amenorrhea, through individuals with mild clitoromegaly or genital ambiguity, to severe penoscrotal h...

Background: Estrogen insensitivity syndrome is a form of functional estrogen deficiency which is caused by a defect in the estrogen receptor type α (ESR1). As a result of the receptor mutation, estrogens cannot be recognized and hence initiate their biological action on pubertal growth, skeletal maturation, and accrual of bone mass. A mutation in the gene encoding ESR1 has been described in only 2 cases (one man and one woman). We now describe the first family with ESR1 m...

Objectives: Vosoritide is a C-type natriuretic peptide analog which binds its receptor on chondrocytes, leading to increased chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation via its inhibition of the ERK1/2-MAPK pathway. It was recently approved for increasing linear growth in children with achondroplasia. This is the first study to examine the safety and efficacy of vosoritide in children with hypochondroplasia.Methods: Th...

2 siblings were referred for evaluation fo short stature and failure to thrive. Both were born of 3rd degree consanguinity, first and second in birth order. the first sibling was 2 1/2 year old at time of referral and had birthweight of 3.1 kg and had gross motor delay. Present height was 65 cm (SDS −6.2 S.D.)and weight was 6 kg (<3rd centile) Second sibling was 1.5 years old, with gross motor delay with height of 57 cm (SDS −6.5 S.D.</sma...

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: Main features of the autosomal dominant form of GH deficiency (IGHD II) include markedly reduced secretion of GH combined with low concentrations of IGF-I leading to short stature.Objective and hypotheses: We report on a girl referred for assessment of short stature (−4.6 SDS) at a chronological age of 7 yr 10 mo. The GH deficiency was confirmed by standard GH provocation tests, which revealed severely reduced GH and IGF-I concentration...

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: Nutritional excess of vitamin A, a precursor for retinoic acid (RA), causes premature epiphyseal fusion, craniosynostosis, as well as light-dependent retinopathy. Similarly, homozygous loss-of-function mutations in one of the major RA-metabolizing enzymes CYP26B1 causes advanced bone age, premature epiphyseal fusion, and craniosynostosis. We studied a patient with markedly accelerated skeletal and dental development, retinal scarring, and autism-spectrum disease.</...