Bone Abstracts

Background: Hypercalcaemia is a risk following stem cell transplant (SCT) for all types of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO) due to restored osteoclast differentiation. This can be particularly severe in the osteoclast-poor (OP) form involving the tumour necrosis factor receptor superfamily 11A (TNFRSF11A) gene, encoding RANK. Denosumab, a monoclonal antibody blocking RANK activation, has been described for refractory post-SCT hypercalcaemia in two cases. Our case adds n...

Analysis of genome wide data such as transcriptomics can identify genes of potential interest to bone biology. These techniques are primarily hypothesis-generating. Determining the role of candidate factors in bone ultimately requires in vivo experiments. Gene expression analysis of mouse osteoclast differentiation identified G protein-coupled receptor 137B (GPR137b) as highly upregulated. GPR137b is an orphan seven-pass transmembrane receptor of unknown func...

Temporary brittle bone disease has been a controversial explanation of multiple unexplained fractures in early childhood. Evidence for its existence is growing. We report the clinical and laboratory features of 104 patients investigated personally. These patients had in aggregate 984 fractures or fracture-like lesions.Our patients included disproportionate numbers of infants born preterm or as a result of multiple pregnancy. The fractures were mainly ide...

This paper reviews clinical reports of vitamin D deficiency rickets in neonates from 1930 onwards. In 24 reports there was good evidence of maternal deficiency. In some the diagnosis of the rickets led to the identification of symptomatic osteomalacia in the mothers; several had been severe and longstanding. Of the 15 mothers who had assays for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) 13 had values <25 nmol/l (10 ng/ml) and 10 had values <12.5 nmol/l (5 ng/ml).<p class="a...

Objective: Bone metabolism was studied in patients with phosphate diabetes before and after medication.Methods: 39 patients with phosphate diabetes age 2–18 years (7.8±4 years, 64% male) and multiplanar deformities of the lower extremities were treated with monthly vitamin D (2000 IU/day), alfacalcidol (0.25 mg/every other day) and calcium glycerophosphate (600 mg/day) for 6 months.Biochemical indices were evaluated befor...

Background: Mutations in the ENPP1 gene have been identified in individuals with generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI), a life-threatening disorder characterized by calcification in the blood vessels, because of reduced availability of pyrophosphate. We describe a case of GACI due to a novel ENPP1 mutation.Presenting problem: The patient, born at term to non-consanguineous parents, was referred to us at birth with weak femoral pulses for e...

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The re-initiation of developmental processes in osteoarthritis (OA) has emerged with similarities to endochondral ossification; responsible for long bone development. We aimed to establish the role of the Wnt inhibitor, sclerostin in endochondral ossification, and its relationship with MEPE, a calcification inhibitor with potential downstream functions. Knee joints from male Str/ort (spontaneous OA) and age-matched CBA control mice were analysed at 8, 18, and 40+ weeks of age ...

The process of vascular calcification shares many similarities with that of skeletal mineralisation, and involves the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals in arteries and cardiac muscle. However, the cellular mechanisms responsible have yet to be fully elucidated. BMP-9 has been shown to exert direct effects on both bone development and vascular function. In the present study, we have investigated the role of BMP-9 in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification. Murine V...