ESPE Abstracts

Background: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site where proteins are folded in the cell. Metabolic stress alters ER homeostasis and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR), which contributes to the development of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.Objective and hypotheses: To longitudinally evaluate liver UPR and its functional consequences in an animal model of IUGR followed from birth to adulthood.Method: On day 19 ...

Background: Down Syndrome (DS) patients have a higher incidence of primary hypothyroidism. We previously demonstrated that transgenic mice overexpressing Dyrk1A had developmental (larger primary thyroids at E15.5 stage of development), morphological (disorganized follicles) and functional (significant lower plasma T4) impairments similar to DS thyroidal impairments (Endocrinology 2015). DYRK1A, localized in the DS critical region on chromosome 21, is therefore the can...

Background: SGA is defined as birth weight under 2 standard deviations (SD) from the mean. Previous studies indicate that 10% of SGA babies do not have “catch-up growth” (CUG). They are eligible for growth hormone (GH) therapy to increase final height. The unexpected low demand for GH therapy in SGA babies, triggered us to survey the actual incidence of SGA and failure in CUG.Objective and hypotheses: To find the actual incidence of SGA and fai...

Background: Heat generation in UCP-1 active cells as present in brown adipose tissue contributes to the regulation of energy homeostasis. Brown adipose tissue is known to be present in neonates and infants and has recently also been demonstrated in children and adults. Interestingly, a transition of white adipocytes into a brown phenotype has been documented in vitro in mouse and human cells, yet the underlying mechanisms are still not resolved. Using transcriptome an...

Background: In humans, activating mutations in the PRKAR1A gene cause acrodysostosis1 (ACRDYS1). Two striking features of this rare developmental and skeletal disorder are renal resistance to PTH and chondrodysplasia resulting from the constitutive inhibition of PTHR1/Gsa/AC/cAMP/PKA signaling caused by the PRKAR1A mutations.Objective and hypotheses: Document the consequences of the germline expression of a PRKAR1A mutation causing a dominant repression ...

Background: Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets and impaired bone growth in infants. In India, randomization to higher vitamin D supplementation doses in pregnancy led to decreased anterior fontanelle and increased head circumference at 0 and 9 months.Objective and hypotheses: To investigate the impact of cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations on cranial measures.Method: In a Danish prospective birth cohort of 2549 mo...

Background: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), ranging from complete (CAIS) to partial (PAIS) and to mild (MAIS) forms of androgen resistance, is caused by mutations in the X-linked AR gene that encodes the androgen receptor. Some cases, however, remain without a molecular genetic diagnosis that would confirm the diagnosis especially in cases that have phenotypic similarities with other 46,XY disorders of sex development.Objective and hypoth...

Background: The phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway is central for cell cycle control, differentiation, migration, and metabolism. Unrestricted growth of adipose tissue in particular is frequently seen in humans with germline PTEN and mosaic activating PIK3CA mutations, respectively.Objective and hypotheses: We assume that adipocytes from affected tissue show hyperproliferation and modified dif...

Background: We have recently reported the molecular diagnosis of two patients with severe growth failure associated with a spectrum of early-onset autoimmune disease and immunodeficiency. Heterozygous de novo mutations, c.1847_1849delAAG (p.E616del) and c.1276T>C (p.C426R), in the STAT3 gene were found. Functional in vitro studies of these variants are presented.Objective and hypotheses: We...

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease in both children and adults; however, the exact pathogenesis of NAFLD remains obscure. Accumulating evidence supports the effects of miRNA in the lipid metabolism and the regulation of insulin resistance, providing a potential linkage between the miRNA and NAFLD.Objective and Hypotheses: The aims of this study were to explore microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in NA...