Prevalence of c.1559delT in ALPL, a common mutation resulting in the perinatal (lethal) form of hypophosphatasia in Japanese and effects of the mutation on heterozygous carriers

A case report of odonto-hypophosphatasia with a novel variant in the ALPL gene

OBJECTIVES

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare skeletal dysplasia caused by variants in the alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) gene. More than 400 pathogenic variants of the ALPL gene have been registered in the ALPL gene variant database. Here, we describe the case of a Japanese child with odonto-hypophsphatasia (odonto-HPP) and a novel ALPL variant.

CASE PRESENTATION

At the age of 2 years and 1 month, he prematurely lost one deciduous tooth, with the root intact, when he fell and hit his face lightly. Three months later, he lost another adjacent deciduous tooth without incentive. His serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was 72 U/L. His urine phosphoethanolamine (PEA) level was extremely high at 938 μmol/mg·Cre. The serum pyridoxal 5'-phosphaye (PLP) level was 255.9 nmol/L. Based on the clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, the patient was clinically diagnosed with odonto-HPP. Genetic analysis of the ALPL gene revealed a heterozygous variant (NM_000478.6:c.1151C>A, p.Thr384Lys).

CONCLUSIONS

We report a case of odonto-HPP with a novel variant in the ALPL gene. HPP is a rare disease, and the heterozygous mutation in the ALPL gene highlights the novelty of this case.

The Effect of Asfotase Alfa on Plasma and Urine Pyrophosphate Levels and Pseudofractures in a Patient With Adult-Onset Hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inherited disease caused by variants of the ALPL gene encoding tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. Adult-onset HPP (adult HPP), known as a mild form of HPP, develops symptoms involving osteomalacia after the age of 18 years. Asfotase alfa (AA) is a modulated recombinant human alkaline phosphatase (ALP) that has been established as a first-line therapy for severe forms of HPP, such as perinatal and infantile forms. We described a 64-year-old female who presented with pseudofractures in bilateral femur diaphyses and impaired mobility. Low serum ALP activity and a high concentration of urine phosphoethanolamine indicated the diagnosis of HPP, which was confirmed by the identification of a homozygous variant in the ALPL gene (c.319G > A; p.Val107Ile). An in vitro transfection experiment to measure the ALP activity of this novel variant protein was performed, resulting in 40% of the residual enzymatic activity compared with the wild type. AA was initiated to facilitate the union of pseudofracture and to improve mobility. After 6 months, radiographic images revealed the disappearance of fracture lines, and improvement of ambulatory ability was confirmed by the 6-minute walk test (525 to 606 m). The EQ-5D-5L index was also improved (0.757 to 0.895). Within a follow-up period, the levels of urine pyrophosphate corrected by urine creatinine (uPPi/Cre) declined in parallel with the level of plasma PPi (plasma PPi: 6.34 to 1.04 μM, uPPi/Cre: 226.8 to 75.4 nmol/mg). The beneficial effect of AA on pseudofracture healing in adult HPP was presented, although the application of AA should be restricted to patients exhibiting relatively severe manifestations. In addition, a novel pathogenic variant of the ALPL gene was identified with the supportive result of functional analysis. Furthermore, when monitoring patients with HPP treated with AA, uPPi/Cre might be a convenient substitute for plasma PPi, which requires immediate filtration after blood sampling. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Six-year clinical outcomes of enzyme replacement therapy for perinatal lethal and infantile hypophosphatasia in Korea: Two case reports

INTRODUCTION

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a genetic disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in ALPL, which encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Early diagnosis and treatment of perinatal and infantile HPP are important because of their high mortality rates. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using human recombinant tissue-nonspecific ALP asfotase alfa was introduced in Korea in 2016. We report the first experience of ERT over 6 years for perinatal lethal and infantile HPP in Korea.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The first patient was a 6-week-old Korean boy with a failure to thrive. The second patient was an 8-day-old Korean-Uzbek body with generalized tonic-clonic seizure with cyanosis.

DIAGNOSES

HPP was suspected in both patients because of the very low level of ALP activity and rachitic findings on radiographs, and the disease was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the ALPL gene.

INTERVENTION

The first patient with infantile HPP started ERT at 21 months of age and the second patient with perinatal HPP started ERT at 30 days of age. Both patients received asfotase alfa (2 mg/kg 3 times per week subcutaneously, adjusted to 3 mg/kg 3 times per week if required) for 6 years.

OUTCOMES

After 6 years of ERT, radiographic findings and growth standard deviation scores improved in both patients. The second patient showed no evidence of rickets after 3 years of ERT. Mechanical respiratory support and supplemental oxygen were not required after 4.5 years of treatment in the first patient and at 2 months after treatment in the second patient.

CONCLUSION

Among the 2 patients, the patient who started ERT early had a much better prognosis despite a more severe initial clinical presentation. Our results suggest that early diagnosis and prompt treatment play an important role in improving long-term prognosis and avoiding morbidity and premature mortality in patients with perinatal and infantile HPP.

Dental manifestation and management of hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by defective mineralization of bones and teeth with a wide variety of manifestations, ranging from stillbirth to dental symptoms alone. Recently, the prognosis of severe hypophosphatasia patients has been greatly improved by the introduction of enzyme replacement therapy. The typical dental manifestation is early exfoliation of primary teeth due to disturbed cementum formation, so dentures are recommended to ensure that important oral functions are acquired. Some studies have shown that enzyme replacement therapy improves dental mineralization, resulting in the stabilization of periodontal tissues and better growth of tooth roots. A nationwide Japanese survey revealed the common genetic and dental manifestations of patients with mild hypophosphatasia, which markedly differ from those of the severe forms. There may be many undiagnosed mild patients, so dentists should contribute to the early diagnosis by screening possible cases based on the typical finding of early exfoliation of primary teeth. Early diagnosis is important for patients to receive early intervention in both medical and dental fields. The establishment of fundamental dental therapy to solve the dental problems is still underway and is eagerly anticipated.

Two children with hypophosphatasia with a heterozygous c.1559delT variant in the ALPL gene, the most common variant in Japanese populations

Hypophosphatasia (HPP), a genetic disorder characterized by decreased tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) activity, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ALPL gene, which encodes TNSALP. The most frequent pathogenic variant in Japanese patients with HPP is a frameshift mutation in the ALPL gene, c.1559delT, and its carrier frequency is reported to be one in 480 in the Japanese population. We report the cases of two Japanese children with HPP who had a heterozygous c.1559delT variant in the ALPL gene. One case (involving a neonate) exhibited respiratory insufficiency associated with vitamin B6 dependent convulsions, significant defective mineralization similar to the severe form of HPP, and extremely low ALP activity. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using asfotase alfa promptly improved her respiratory insufficiency, bone mineralization, and maintained her motor development during infancy. The second case involved a 10-year-old boy who demonstrated diffuse musculoskeletal pain and weakness that progressively disturbed mobility. Although he showed no bony lesions, the clinical symptoms and biochemical abnormalities were compatible with childhood HPP. ERT successfully relieved the severe generalized pain and significantly improved motor function.

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A heterozygous c.1559delT in ALPL is the most frequent variant in Japanese populations, with aprevalence of 1/480.

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Two Japanese children with this variant developed hypophosphatasia associated with a low serum alkaline phosphatase.

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One neonate showed respiratory insufficiency and defective bone mineralization similar to the severe form of HPP.

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The other 10-year-old boy demonstrated diffuse musculoskeletal pain and weakness that progressively disturbed mobility.

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Enzyme replacement therapy successfully improved pathological symptoms in both cases.

Radiological evaluation of pseudofracture after the administration of asfotase alfa in an adult with benign prenatal hypophosphatasia: A case report

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a congenital disorder with decreased activity of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. Asfotase alfa is the only treatment approved for HPP and improves the impairment of bone mineralization. Although several previous studies have reported the efficacy of asfotase alfa to treat fractures and pseudofractures in patients with HPP, there are only a few reports with a detailed description of the healing process. In this case report, we present an 18-year-old female patient with benign prenatal HPP who received asfotase alfa to treat her pseudofracture. At the age of 17, a pseudofracture developed in her left tibia after repetitive gymnastic exercise for months. Following observation over a year, she was referred to our department. X-ray images indicated a narrow radiolucent band in the mid-diaphysis of her left tibia, and bone scintigraphy showed nuclide accumulation in the same region. Replacement therapy with asfotase alfa was started, resulting in pain relief in two months, and the disappearance of nuclide accumulation on bone scintigraphy and union of the pseudofracture on X-ray after two years. This is the first case report describing the detailed pseudofracture healing process in a patient with benign prenatal HPP initiating asfotase alfa.

Young woman with hypophosphatasia: A case report

Hypophosphatasia is a rare inherited disease defined by teeth and bone mineralization impairment leading to depletion of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase. We define a young woman diagnosed with hypophosphatasia (after several times alkaline phosphatase levels were low) was discovered following femoral fracture. A 30-year-old woman who presented for a history of early permanent teeth loss during the last 5 years and HPP-like symptoms in family history and bone radiograph verified bowing, deficient mineralization, and symmetrical subtrochanteric stress fractures of femurs was referred to our clinic for further management. Blood test findings defined raised phosphorus levels on two occasions at 6.2 and 5.7 mg/dl and insufficient 25-hydroxy vitamin D level. HPP early diagnosis and adequate treatment, depending on the clinical symptoms along with laboratory tests, could be effective in decreasing the suffering of the disease and side effects.

Massive calcification around large joints in a patient subsequently diagnosed with adult-onset hypophosphatasia

We report a 64-year-old Japanese woman with a history of progressive loss of motor function and painful swelling of large joints. At the age of 54, profound calcification appeared around the shoulder and hip joints, which did not heal after repeated surgical resections. Iliac bone biopsy revealed osteomalacic changes. Laboratory data showed low serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and a high urine phosphoethanolamine (PEA) concentration with normal serum calcium, phosphate, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels. Subsequent genetic analysis of the ALPL gene confirmed the diagnosis of hypophosphatasia (HPP) with the identification of a heterozygous single nucleotide deletion, c.1559delT (p.Leu520ArgfsX86). We started a mineral-targeted enzyme replacement therapy, asfotase alfa (AA), to treat the patient's musculoskeletal symptoms. A follow-up bone biopsy after 12 months of AA treatment showed improvement of osteomalacia. Calcified deposits around the large joints were unchanged radiographically. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with an adult-onset HPP who presented with profound calcification around multiple joints. Nonspecific clinical signs and symptoms in patients with adult-onset HPP often result in delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. We propose that bone biopsy and genetic analysis should be considered along with laboratory analysis for all patients with ectopic calcification around joints of unknown etiology for accurate diagnosis and better treatment.

Evaluation of alveolar bone hypomineralization in pediatric hypophosphatasia using orthopantomography

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a metabolic disease characterized by impaired bone mineralization and early exfoliation of primary teeth. This study was performed to develop a method for quantitatively evaluating alveolar bone hypomineralization using orthopantomographic images. Alveolar bone density was defined according to the pixel values and corrected by brightness shown by an indicator applied to the orthopantomographic device. Images of 200 healthy subjects (aged 2-15 years) were classified into five age groups. The corrected pixel values were significantly lower in the younger group than in those aged 14-15 years (2-4, 5-7, and 8-10 years versus 14-15 years: P < 0.0001, 11-13 years versus 14-15 years: P < 0.01). Orthopantomographic images of 17 patients with HPP were evaluated. The corrected pixel values of three-fourths of the patients with odonto type HPP were lower than the mean values of the healthy group. One-third of patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy showed higher corrected pixel values than the healthy group. Our results suggest that odonto type HPP without skeletal problems is occasionally accompanied by hypomineralization of alveolar bone and that alveolar bone hypomineralization in patients with severe HPP is possibly improved by enzyme replacement therapy.

Ring finger protein 213 c.14576G>A mutation is not involved in internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery dysplasia

The ring finger protein 213 (RNF213) susceptibility gene has been detected in more than 80% of Japanese and Korean patients with moyamoya disease (MMD), a bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion. Furthermore, RNF213 has been detected in more than 20% of East Asians with atherosclerotic ICA stenosis. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of RNF213 mutations in congenital occlusive lesions of the ICA system. This case series was conducted jointly at four university hospitals. Patients with a family history of MMD, quasi-MMD, or related diseases were excluded. Ten patients were diagnosed with abnormal ICA or middle cerebral artery (MCA) angiogenesis. Patients with neurofibromatosis were excluded. Finally, nine patients with congenital vascular abnormalities were selected; of these, five had ICA deficiency and four had twig-like MCA. The RNF213 c.14576G > A mutation was absent in all patients. Therefore, the RNF213 c.14576G > A mutation may not be associated with ICA and MCA congenital dysplasia—rare vascular anomalies making it difficult to study a large number of cases. However, an accumulation of cases is required for accurate determination. The results of this study may help differentiate congenital vascular diseases from MMD.

RNF213 c.14576G>A Is Associated with Intracranial Internal Carotid Artery Saccular Aneurysms

A mutation in RNF213 (c.14576G>A), a gene associated with moyamoya disease (>80%), plays a role in terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (>15%) (ICS). Studies on RNF213 and cerebral aneurysms (AN), which did not focus on the site of origin or morphology, could not elucidate the relationship between the two. However, a report suggested a relationship between RNF213 and AN in French-Canadians. Here, we investigated the relationship between ICA saccular aneurysm (ICA-AN) and RNF213. We analyzed RNF213 expression in subjects with ICA-AN and atherosclerotic ICS. Cases with a family history of moyamoya disease were excluded. AN smaller than 4 mm were confirmed as AN only by surgical or angiographic findings. RNF213 was detected in 12.2% of patients with ICA-AN and 13.6% of patients with ICS; patients with ICA-AN and ICS had a similar risk of RNF213 mutation expression (odds ratio, 0.884; 95% confidence interval, 0.199-3.91; p = 0.871). The relationship between ICA-AN and RNF213 (c.14576G>A) was not correlated with the location of the ICA and bifurcation, presence of rupture, or multiplicity. When the etiology and location of AN were more restricted, the incidence of RNF213 mutations in ICA-AN was higher than that reported in previous studies. Our results suggest that strict maternal vessel selection and pathological selection of AN morphology may reveal an association between genetic mutations and ICA-AN development. The results of this study may form a basis for further research on systemic vascular diseases, in which the RNF213 (c.14576G>A) mutation has been implicated.

Role of RNF213 polymorphism in defining quasi-moyamoya disease and definitive moyamoya disease

OBJECTIVE

Quasi-moyamoya disease (QMMD) is moyamoya disease (MMD) associated with additional underlying diseases. Although the ring finger protein 213 (RNF213) c.14576G>A mutation is highly correlated with MMD in the Asian population, its relationship to QMMD is unclear. Therefore, in this study the authors sought to investigate the RNF213 c.14576G>A mutation in the genetic diagnosis and classification of QMMD.

METHODS

This case-control study was conducted among four core hospitals. A screening system for the RNF213 c.14576G>A mutation based on high-resolution melting curve analysis was designed. The prevalence of RNF213 c.14576G>A was investigated in 76 patients with MMD and 10 patients with QMMD.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in age, sex, family history, and mode of onset between the two groups. Underlying diseases presenting in patients with QMMD were hyperthyroidism (n = 6), neurofibromatosis type 1 (n = 2), Sjögren's syndrome (n = 1), and meningitis (n =1). The RNF213 c.14576G>A mutation was found in 64 patients (84.2%) with MMD and 8 patients (80%) with QMMD; no significant difference in mutation frequency was observed between cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

There are two forms of QMMD, one in which the vascular abnormality is associated with an underlying disease, and the other in which MMD is coincidentally complicated by an unrelated underlying disease. It has been suggested that the presence or absence of the RNF213 c.14576G>A mutation may be useful in distinguishing between these disease types.

Estimation of the carrier frequencies and proportions of potential patients by detecting causative gene variants associated with autosomal recessive bone dysplasia using a whole-genome reference panel of Japanese individuals

Bone dysplasias are a group of rare hereditary diseases, with up to 436 disease types. Perinatal diagnosis is clinically important for adequate personalized management and counseling. There are no reports focused on pathogenic variants of bone dysplasias in the general population. In this study, we focused on autosomal recessive bone dysplasias. We identified pathogenic variants using whole-genome reference panel data from 3552 Japanese individuals. For the first time, we were able to estimate the carrier frequencies and the proportions of potential patients. For autosomal recessive bone dysplasias, we detected 198 pathogenic variants of 54 causative genes. We estimated the variant carrier frequencies and the proportions of potential patients with variants associated with four clinically important bone dysplasias: osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), hypophosphatasia (HPP), asphyxiating thoracic dysplasia (ATD), and Ellis–van Creveld syndrome (EvC). The proportions of potential patients with OI, ATD, and EvC based on pathogenic variants classified as “pathogenic” and “likely pathogenic” by InterVar were closer to the reported incidence rates in Japanese subjects. Furthermore, the proportions of potential patients with HPP variants classified as “pathogenic” and “likely pathogenic” in InterVar and “pathogenic” in ClinVar were closer to the reported incidence rates. For bone dysplasia, the findings of this study will provide a better understanding of the variant types and frequencies in the Japanese general population, and should be useful for clinical diagnosis, genetic counseling, and personalized medicine.

A bioinformatics approach helps estimate carrier frequency of a rare inherited bone disease which causes abnormalities in skeletal shape and structure. Autosomal recessive bone dysplasias affect bone and cartilage development and result from inheriting two mutated genes, one from each parent. Junichi Sugawara, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan, and colleagues used mutation databases and a bioinformatics tool for variant interpretation to detect 198 pathogenic variants in 54 genes associated with autosomal recessive bone dysplasia in a whole-genome reference panel of 3,552 general Japanese individuals (3.5KJPNv2). They then estimated the frequency of people in the sample carrying bone dysplasia mutations and the expected proportion in whom the disorder could manifest, which compared well with reported incidence rates in the general population. These findings could prove useful for calculating the risk of bone dysplasia in the future children of carrier parents.

Altered Thyroid Function Tests Observed in Hypophosphatasia Patients Treated with Asfotase Alfa

BACKGROUND

Asfotase alfa is the only approved treatment that can normalize mineralization in patients with hypophosphatasia (HPP). Its interference in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) dependent immunoassays has been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To describe thyroid function tests interfered with by asfotase alfa and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Patients and Methods. Three patients with HPP treated with asfotase alfa were included. Thyroid hormone levels measured using five different immunoassays with or without ALP as a labeling enzyme during asfotase alfa treatment were evaluated.

RESULTS

After the initiation of asfotase alfa, three HPP patients showed low free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) measured with AIA-2000 (Tosoh, Tokyo, Japan), an enzyme immunoassay system that uses ALP as a labeling enzyme, but their thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were within the normal range. The other CLEIA system using ALP as a label, AIA-CL2400 (Tosoh, Tokyo, Japan), and ALP-independent immunoassay systems demonstrated normal FT3 and FT4 levels. These data suggested that although the thyroid function of these three patients was normal, asfotase alfa interfered with the thyroid hormone measurements made with AIA-2000. AIA-2000 and AIA-CL2400 adopted one-step and delayed one-step measurements, respectively, and the same antibody was used for both immunoassays. However, asfotase alfa may be absorbed on the magnetic beads used in the AIA reagent with the AIA-2000 system but not absorbed on the microparticles used in AIA-CL2400.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of the possible interference in thyroid function measurements by adopting specific types of immunoassays in asfotase alfa-treated HPP patients.

Effect of Asfotase Alfa on Muscle Weakness in a Japanese Adult Patient of Hypophosphatasia with Low ALP Levels

A 40-year-old Japanese woman presented to our hospital with general fatigue and muscle weakness. She had a history of premature loss of deciduous teeth at 4 years old, her serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was as low as 91 U/L, and radiologic studies revealed thoracic deformity and sacroiliac calcification. Genetic sequencing revealed a heterozygous c.1559delT mutation in the tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase gene (ALPL). Based on these findings, she was diagnosed with hypophosphatasia (HPP), and treatment with asfotase alfa, a recombinant human tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP), was initiated. After six months of treatment with asfotase alfa, improvements were observed in the SF-36 score, six-minute walk distance, and grasping power. Although the overdiagnosis needs to be avoided, HPP should be considered in patients with undiagnosed musculoskeletal symptoms and a low serum ALP activity.

Hypophosphatasia in Japan: ALPL Mutation Analysis in 98 Unrelated Patients

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is highly variable in clinical expression and is generally classified into six subtypes. Although it would be beneficial to be able to predict the clinical course from the ALPL genotype, studies on this issue are limited. Here, we aimed to clarify the features of Japanese HPP and the relationships between genotype and clinical manifestations. We analyzed 98 unrelated Japanese patients to investigate the percentage of each clinical form, frequently detected mutations, and the relationship between the genotype and phenotype. Some of the identified mutants were characterized by transfection experiments. Perinatal severe form was the most frequent (45.9%), followed by perinatal benign form (22.4%). Among the 196 alleles, p.Leu520ArgfsX86 (c.1559delT) was detected in 89 alleles, and p.Phe327Leu (c.979T>C) was identified in 23 alleles. All of the homozygotes for p.Leu520ArgfsX86 were classified into perinatal severe form, and patients carrying p.Phe327Leu in one of the alleles were classified into perinatal benign or odonto HPP. Twenty of the 22 patients with perinatal benign HPP were compound heterozygous for p.Phe327Leu and another mutation. Most patients with odonto HPP were found to be monoallelic heterozygotes for dominant-negative mutations or compound heterozygotes with mutants having residual activity. The high prevalence of p.Leu520ArgfsX86 and p.Phe327Leu mutations might underlie the high rate of perinatal severe and perinatal benign forms, respectively, in Japanese HPP. Although ALPL genotyping would be beneficial for predicting the clinical course to an extent, the observed phenotypical variability among patients sharing the same genotypes suggests the presence of modifiers.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare bone disease caused by inactivating mutations in the ALPL gene, which encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP). Patients with HPP have varied clinical manifestations and are classified based on the age of onset and severity. Recently, enzyme replacement therapy using bone-targeted recombinant alkaline phosphatase (ALP) has been developed, leading to improvement in the prognosis of patients with life-threatening HPP. Considering these recent advances, clinical practice guidelines have been generated to provide physicians with guides for standard medical care for HPP and to support their clinical decisions. A task force was convened for this purpose, and twenty-one clinical questions (CQs) were formulated, addressing the issues of clinical manifestations and diagnosis (7 CQs) and those of management and treatment (14 CQs). A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, and evidence-based recommendations were developed. The guidelines have been modified according to the evaluations and suggestions from the Clinical Guideline Committee of The Japanese Society for Pediatric Endocrinology (JSPE) and public comments obtained from the members of the JSPE and a Japanese HPP patient group, and then approved by the Board of Councils of the JSPE. We anticipate that the guidelines will be revised regularly and updated.

Association of ALPL variants with serum alkaline phosphatase and bone traits in the general Japanese population: The Nagahama Study

Although alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is relatively low in carriers of recessive type hypophosphatasia (HPP), most are asymptomatic and therefore do not undergo medical evaluations. We analyzed the association of ALP-encoding ALPL variants with serum ALP and bone traits in the general Japanese population. Study participants (n = 9671) were from the Nagahama Study, which was a longitudinal cohort study of an apparently healthy general Japanese population. ALPL variants were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing or TaqMan probe assays using DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples. The speed of sound in calcaneal bone was assessed by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and used as surrogate measures of bone mineral density. We identified 13 ALPL variants. Minor allele frequencies of three variants were higher than expected. Variant c.529G > A has been reported as a possible pathogenic variant for adult type HPP. Variants c.979C > T and c.1559delT are reported as pathogenic variants for perinatal severe HPP or infantile HPP. The allele frequencies of c.529G > A, c.979C > T, and c.1559delT were 0.0107, 0.0040, and 0.0014, respectively. Serum ALP activity was significantly lower and differed among the three variants (P < 0.001), as well as between individuals with and without any of the three variants (P < 0.001). Serum ALP activity was inversely associated with QUS values, although no direct association was observed between the ALPL variants and QUS values. An association between serum ALP activity and QUS was confirmed; however, we failed to detect an association between ALPL variants and bone traits in the general Japanese population.

Japanese nationwide survey of hypophosphatasia reveals prominent differences in genetic and dental findings between odonto and non-odonto types

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare and intractable metabolic bone disease caused by mutations in the ALPL gene. Here, we undertook a nationwide survey of HPP in Japan, specifically regarding the prominent genetic and dental manifestations of odonto (n = 16 cases) and other (termed “non-odonto”) (n = 36 cases) types. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values in odonto-type patients were significantly greater than those of non-odonto-type patients (P<0.05). Autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance patterns were detected, respectively, in 89% of odonto-type and 96% of non-odonto-type patients. The ALPL “c.1559delT” mutation, associated with extremely low ALP activity, was found in approximately 70% of cases. Regarding dental manifestations, all patients classified as odonto-type showed early exfoliation of the primary teeth significantly more frequently than patients classified as non-odonto-type (100% vs. 56%; P<0.05). Tooth hypomineralisation was detected in 42% of non-odonto-type patients, but not in any odonto-type patients (0%; P<0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that genetic and dental manifestations of patients with odonto-type and non-odonto-type HPP are significantly different, and these differences should be considered during clinical treatment of patients with HPP.

Genetic correction of induced pluripotent stem cells mediated by transcription activator-like effector nucleases targeting ALPL recovers enzyme activity and calcification in vitro

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inheritable disease affecting both skeletal systems and extra-skeletal organs due to mutations of the gene ALPL, which encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. Recently, an enzyme replacement therapy using asfotase alfa was developed to ameliorate the complications of HPP. However, it requires frequent injections and is expensive to maintain. As an alternative, cell and gene therapy using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) after precise correction of the mutation is feasible due to advances in genome-editing technology. In the study, we examined the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcification in vitro of two childhood HPP patient-derived iPSCs after the correction of the c.1559delT mutation, which is the most frequent mutation in Japanese patients with HPP, using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). The gene correction targeting vector was designed for site-directed mutagenesis using TALEN. After selection with antibiotics, some clones with the selection cassette were obtained. Gene correction was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. The mutation was corrected in one allele of ALPL in homozygous patients and compound heterozygous patients. The correction of ALPL did not result in an increase in ALP when the selection cassette remained. Conversely, iPSCs exhibited ALP activity after the elimination of the cassette using Cre/LoxP. The quantitative analysis showed the half ALP activity in corrected iPSCs of that of control iPSCs, corresponding to heterozygous correction of the mutation. In addition, osteoblasts differentiated from the corrected iPSCs exhibited high ALP activity and some calcification in vitro. Moreover, the osteoblast-like phenotype was confirmed by increased expression of osteoblast-specific genes such as COL1A1 and osteocalcin. These results suggest that gene correction in iPSCs may be a candidate treatment for HPP patients.

Adult hypophosphatasia with compound heterozygous p.Phe327Leu missense and c.1559delT frameshift mutations in tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene: a case report

BACKGROUND

Hypophosphatasia is an inherited bone disease characterized by low alkaline phosphatase activity encoded by ALPL. Clinically, hypophosphatasia can be categorized as perinatal, infantile, childhood, and adult forms, as well as odonto-hypophosphatasia, according to the age at first sign or dental manifestations. Adult hypophosphatasia typically presents in middle-aged patients who appear to be in good health in early adulthood and manifests as painful feet caused by recurrent, slow-healing stress fractures of the lower limb. Because the symptoms of adult hypophosphatasia vary and are common, many patients with hypophosphatasia might be not diagnosed accurately and thus may receive inappropriate treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 35-year-old Japanese woman with low serum alkaline phosphatase detected at a routine medical checkup. She had mild muscle/bone pain but no history of rickets, fractures, or dental problems. Measurement of bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck revealed osteopenia below the expected range for age in a young adult. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed numerous microcalcifications in both kidneys. Analysis of amino acids in urine revealed that phosphoethanolamine was elevated. Low serum alkaline phosphatase activity, elevation of phosphoethanolamine, and low bone mineral density supported the diagnosis of hypophosphatasia. ALPL mutation analysis revealed two mutations: p.Phe327Leu and c.1559delT. These genetic abnormalities were previously reported in perinatal, infantile, and childhood but not adult hypophosphatasia. On the basis of the clinical presentation, laboratory and imaging findings, and genetic analyses, the patient was definitively diagnosed with adult hypophosphatasia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of adult hypophosphatasia with the compound heterozygous mutations p.Phe327Leu and c.1559delT.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the risk of bone fracture was high in this case, treatment approaches differ between osteoporosis and hypophosphatasia. Because adult hypophosphatasia diagnosis is often difficult because of their varied symptoms, hypophosphatasia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of low serum alkaline phosphatase. Early diagnosis is important so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.

Lethal perinatal hypophosphatasia caused by a novel compound heterozygous mutation: a case report

Background

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by defective bone and tooth mineralization and deficiency of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) activity. The clinical presentation of HPP is highly variable, and the prognosis for the infantile form is poor.

Case presentation

This study reports a male infant diagnosed with lethal perinatal HPP. His gene analysis showed two heterozygous missense variants c.406C > T (p.R136C) and c.461C > T (p.A154V). The two mutations originated separately from his parents, consistent with autosomal recessive perinatal HPP, and the c.461C > T (p.A154V) was the novel mutation. Three-level structure model provide an explanation of the two mutated alleles correlating with the lethal phenotype of our patient. Results of SIFT, PolyPhen_2, and REVEL showed two mutations were pathogenic.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a case of perinatal lethal HPP caused by two heterozygous mutations, and one of which was novel. This finding will prove relevant for genetic counseling and perinatal gene testing for affected families.

Diagnostic delay is common among patients with hypophosphatasia: initial findings from a longitudinal, prospective, global registry

Background

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, systemic disease caused by mutation(s) within the ALPL gene encoding tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (ALP). HPP has a heterogeneous presentation, which coupled with its rarity, often leads to missed/delayed diagnosis and an incomplete understanding of its natural history. To better understand the epidemiology and clinical course of HPP, including timing of diagnosis after first reported manifestation, we present baseline data for patients enrolled in the Global HPP Registry.

Methods

Data were analyzed from patients with an HPP diagnosis confirmed by low serum ALP activity and/or an ALPL pathogenic variant, regardless of prior or current treatment, according to age at enrollment (children: < 18 y; adult: ≥18 y). All analyses were descriptive.

Results

Of 269 patients from 11 countries enrolled January 2015–September 2017, 121 (45.0%) were children and 148 (55.0%) were adults. The majority of children and adults were female (61.2 and 73.0%, respectively) and white (57.7 and 90.0%, respectively). Children had a median (min, max) age at earliest reported HPP manifestation of 7.2 months (− 2.3 mo, 16.0 y), which was > 12 months before diagnosis at age 20.4 months (− 0.2 mo, 16.0 y). In adults, the earliest reported manifestation occurred at a median (min, max) age of 37.6 years (0.2 y, 75.2 y), which preceded age at diagnosis (47.5 years [0.2 y, 75.2 y]) by ~ 10 years. Premature loss of deciduous teeth (48.2%, age ≥ 6 mo), bone deformity (32.5%), and failure to thrive (26.7%) were most commonly reported in the HPP-related disease history of children. Pain (74.5%), orthopedic procedures and therapies (44.6%), and recurrent and poorly healing fractures (36.5%) were most commonly reported in the HPP-related disease history of adults.

Conclusions

The Global HPP Registry represents the largest observational study of patients with HPP, capturing real world data. This analysis shows that diagnostic delay is common, reflecting limited awareness of HPP, and that HPP is associated with systemic manifestations across all ages. Many patients diagnosed in adulthood had HPP manifestations in childhood, highlighting the importance of taking thorough medical histories to ensure timely diagnosis.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02306720, December 2014; ENCePP.eu: EUPAS13526, May 2016 (retrospectively registered).

Genetics of hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited disorder primarily affecting bone and dental mineralization. Although there is a continuum in the severity of the disease, clinical forms may be arbitrarily distinguished on the basis of age at onset and the presence or absence of bone symptoms: perinatal, infantile, juvenile, adult, prenatal benign, and odontological. Severe forms (perinatal and infantile) are autosomally recessively inherited while less severe forms may be autosomally recessively or dominantly inherited. Genetic counseling is complicated by the coexistence of the two modes of inheritance, the incomplete penetrance of the dominant forms, the markedly variable expression of the disease, including intra-familial expression, and the existence of a benign prenatal form that may sometimes be difficult to distinguish from the severe prenatal form. The disease is due to loss-of-function mutations in the Alkaline Phosphatase-Liver (ALPL) gene encoding the tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP). The great variety of missence mutations and the dominant negative effect of some mutations largely explain the clinical heterogeneity. Directed mutagenesis studies allowed further elucidation of the cellular pathophysiology of HPP, classification of the alleles in terms of their severity and dominant negative effect, and molecular explanations of the dominant inheritance mode. Genetics significantly contributed to show that there are in fact two HPPs, rare, severe and recessive HPP, and mild recessive or mild dominant HPP, which is markedly more frequent and probably under-diagnosed. The prevalence of the severe forms of HPP has been estimated to be 1/300,000 in France and Northern Europe while the prevalence of the moderate forms of HPP may reach 1/6,370.

A case of perinatal hypophosphatasia with a novel mutation in the ALPL gene: clinical course and review of the literature

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a metabolic bone disease characterized by failure of bone calcification and vitamin B6 dependent seizures. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ALPL gene. A newborn girl required respiratory support by nasal-directional positive airway pressure at birth, and pyridoxine hydrochloride administration for vitamin B6-dependent seizures observed from day two. Umbilical cord blood showed low alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and high pyridoxal phosphate levels. Radiographs showed severe rickets-like appearance of the bones. Genetic analysis of the ALPL gene revealed compound heterozygous mutations, c.1559delT/p.Ser188Pro. We diagnosed her with perinatal severe HPP, and started the patient on asfotase alfa from day six. Following enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), skeletal mineralization and respiratory insufficiency improved with no remarkable side-effects. Crying vital capacity (CVC) was used to evaluate respiratory status, which continuously improved from 13.3 mL/kg (day 22) to 20.6 mL/kg (day 113). Since no seizures occurred, pyridoxine hydrochloride was tapered off at one year of age. Strategies to manage perinatal severe HPP cases following ERT have not been established till date. A review of the literature shows that CVC may be a good indicator for weaning from ventilatory support. In addition, ERT will most likely enable withdrawal of pyridoxine treatment.

Hypophosphatasia

We review here clinical, pathophysiological, diagnostic, genetic and molecular aspects of Hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare inherited metabolic disorder. The clinical presentation is a continuum ranging from a prenatal lethal form with no skeletal mineralization to a mild form with late adult onset presenting with nonpathognomonic symptoms. The prevalence of severe forms is low, whereas less severe forms are more frequently observed. The disease is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the ALPL gene encoding the Tissue Nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase (TNSALP), a central regulator of mineralization. Severe forms are recessively inherited, whereas moderate forms are either recessively or dominantly inherited, and the more severe the disease is, the more often it is subject to recessive inheritance. The diagnosis is based on a constantly low alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity in serum and genetic testing that identifies ALPL mutations. More than 340 mutations have been identified and are responsible for the extraordinary clinical heterogeneity. A clear but imperfect genotype-phenotype correlation has been observed, suggesting that other genetic or environmental factors modulate the phenotype. Enzyme replacement therapy is now available for HPP, and other approaches, such as gene therapy, are currently being investigated.

Discordant fetal phenotype of hypophosphatasia in two siblings

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder with impaired bone mineralization due to mutations in the ALPL gene. The genotype-phenotype correlation of this disorder has been widely described. Here, we present two affected siblings, whose fetal phenotypes were discordant. A 31-year-old Japanese woman, G0P0, was referred to our institution because of fetal micromelia. After obstetric counseling, the pregnancy was terminated at 21 weeks' gestation. Post-mortem radiographs demonstrated severely defective mineralization of the skeleton. The calvarial, spinal, and tubular bones were mostly missing. Only the occipital bones, mandible, clavicles, ribs, one thoracic vertebra, ilia, and tibia were relatively well ossified. The radiological findings suggested lethal HPP. Genetic testing for genomic DNA extracted from the umbilical cord identified compound heterozygous mutations in the ALPL gene (c.532T>C, p.Y178H; c.1559delT, p.Leu520Argfs*86). c.532T>C was a novel variant showing no residual activity of the protein by the functional analysis. The parents were heterozygous carriers. In the next pregnancy, biometric values on fetal ultrasonography at 20 and 26 weeks' gestation were normal. At 34 weeks, however, a small chest and shortening of distal long bones came to attention. The neonate delivered at 41 weeks showed serum ALP of <5U/L. Radiological examination showed only mild thoracic hypoplasia and metaphyseal mineralization defects of the long bones. ALP replacement therapy was introduced shortly after birth, and the neonate was discharged at day 22 without respiratory distress. Awareness of discordant fetal phenotypes in siblings with HPP precludes a diagnostic error, and enables early medical intervention to mildly affected neonates.

Hypophosphatasia: clinical manifestation and burden of disease in adult patients

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited disease with a heterogeneous clinical expression. The adult form of HPP is often difficult to be recognized with a delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatments. Though severity of HPP decreases with age at onset, important complications could occur at any age and the burden of HPP among adult patients is found to be significant. Adult patients with HPP suffer of chronic pain, recurrent fractures and other orthopedics problems, with severe disability that have a serious negative impact on all aspects of their life. The aim of this paper is to summarize the main aspects of HPP in adult patients reviewing the literature and focusing on its burden for patients suffering from this condition.

Clinical and Genetic Findings of Turkish Hypophosphatasia Cases

OBJECTIVE

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, commonly unrecognized hereditary mineralization defect with a dramatically poor prognosis in severe cases. This study is the first to examine the detailed clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with HPP and healthy carriers in Turkey.

METHODS

The study data were obtained retrospectively from the files of 10 healthy carriers and of 16 cases with HPP (12 children and 4 adults) who were followed in our center from 2012 to 2016.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of perinatal lethal hypophosphatasia (PLH) was estimated to be approximately 1 case per 435,517 live births,, which is the first report from Turkey. The clinical courses of the cases differed depending on the type of HPP. All of the seven cases (58.3% of all cases) with perinatal lethal form of HPP died. A need for respiratory support (p=0.001), a history of pyridoxine-dependent seizures (p=0.001), a low chest circumference measurement (p=0.017), younger age at diagnosis (p=0.029), a small head circumference at the time of presentation (p=0.042), a low arm span to height ratio (p=0.048), and a low serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level (p=0.042) seemed to be predicting factors for mortality. The mean height standard deviation score of the patients and those of the healthy carriers did not differ significantly (p=0.173). Different mutations were detected in nine of 14 cases (64.2%) in whom an ALPL gene mutation analysis could be performed, and five of these cases (35.7%) had novel mutations. The most common mutations were c746G>T (five alleles), c346G>A (three alleles), and c.140C>T (three alleles). In addition, the most frequently observed genotype in Turkish HPP cases was autosomal-dominant c.346G>A (p.A116T) mutations which were detected in three cases in two different families.

CONCLUSION

Because of the respiratory problems, especially the lung hypoplasia, the clinical course is poor in cases with the perinatal lethal form of HPP. Some minor abnormalities such as mild short stature and osteopenia could be observed in asymptomatic heterozygote carriers. Laboratory findings were normal in these cases.

Safety and efficacy of treatment with asfotase alfa in patients with hypophosphatasia: Results from a Japanese clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare skeletal disease characterized by hypomineralization and low alkaline phosphatase activity. Asfotase alfa (AA) has been recently developed to treat HPP complications. This study evaluated its safety and efficacy in Japan.

DESIGN

Open-label, multicentre, prospective trial. Patients were enrolled in 11 hospitals from June 2014 to July 2015.

PATIENTS

Thirteen patients (9 females, 4 males) ages 0 days to 34 years at baseline were enrolled and treated with AA (2 mg/kg three times weekly subcutaneously in all but one patient). All had ALPL gene mutations. HPP forms were perinatal (n=6), infantile (n=5), childhood (n=1) and adult (n=1).

MEASUREMENTS

Safety determined from adverse events (AEs) and laboratory data was the primary outcome measure. Efficacy was assessed as a secondary outcome measure from overall survival, respiratory status, rickets severity and gross motor development.

RESULTS

Injection site reactions were the most frequent AEs. Serious AEs possibly related to treatment were convulsion and hypocalcaemia observed in a patient with the perinatal form. In addition, hypercalcaemia and/or hyperphosphatemia was observed in three patients with the infantile form and a low-calcium and/or low-phosphate formula was given to these patients. With respect to efficacy, all patients survived and the radiographic findings, developmental milestones and respiratory function improved.

CONCLUSION

Asfotase alfa therapy improved skeletal, respiratory and physical symptoms with a few serious AEs in patients with HPP. Our results add support to the safety and efficacy of AA therapy for HPP patients.

Parental serum alkaline phosphatase activity as an auxiliary tool for prenatal diagnosis of hypophosphatasia

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to clarify the usefulness of parental alkaline phosphatase (ALP) for prenatal diagnosis of hypophosphatasia (HPP).

METHODS

Maternal (m) and paternal (p) ALP values were measured in 77 cases from a multicenter cohort (fetal skeletal dysplasia forum in Japan) of cases with short limbs on ultrasonography during pregnancy. After birth, X-rays, cord blood ALP, and gene analysis were evaluated to achieve an exact diagnosis. The screening usefulness of ALP was examined retrospectively.

RESULTS

Seventeen cases were eventually diagnosed as HPP and 60 as not HPP; the overall mean m-ALP and p-ALP (standard deviation) values were 133.4 (53) versus 197 (69) IU/L and 149.6 (71.8) versus 231 (61.4) IU/L (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal m-ALP and p-ALP cutoff values were 123 and 165 IU/L, respectively. Presence of at least one of the m-ALP or p-ALP values abnormally low had a sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values of 82% (14/17), 93%, and 78%, respectively, for the diagnosis of HPP.

CONCLUSION

Parental ALP measurement might be an auxiliary tool to hone in the prenatal diagnosis of fetal HPP. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Pathophysiology of hypophosphatasia and the potential role of asfotase alfa

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inherited systemic bone disease that is characterized by bone hypomineralization. HPP is classified into six forms according to the age of onset and severity as perinatal (lethal), perinatal benign, infantile, childhood, adult, and odontohypophosphatasia. The causative gene of the disease is the ALPL gene that encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). TNAP is expressed ubiquitously, and its physiological role is apparent in bone mineralization. A defect in bone mineralization can manifest in several ways, including rickets or osteomalacia in HPP patients. Patients with severe forms suffer from respiratory failure because of hypoplastic chest, which is the main cause of death. They sometimes present with seizures due to a defect in vitamin B₆ metabolism resulting from the lack of alkaline phosphatase activity in neuronal cells, which is also lethal. Patients with a mild form of the disease exhibit rickets or osteomalacia and a functional defect of exercise. Odontohypophosphatasia shows only dental manifestations. To date, 302 mutations in the ALPL gene have been reported, mainly single-nucleotide substitutions, and the relationships between phenotype and genotype have been partially elucidated. An established treatment for HPP was not available until the recent development of enzyme replacement therapy. The first successful enzyme replacement therapy in model mice using a modified human TNAP protein (asfotase alfa) was reported in 2008, and subsequently success in patients with severe form of the disease was reported in 2012. In 2015, asfotase alfa was approved in Japan in July, followed by in the EU and Canada in August, and then by the US Food and Drug Administration in the USA in October. It is expected that therapy with asfotase alfa will drastically change treatments and prognosis of HPP.

Hypophosphatasia: an overview of the disease and its treatment

This review presents the current knowledge on hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic disease of very variable severity (from lethal to mild) and clinical presentation, caused by defective production of tissue-non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP). Hypophosphatasia can affect babies in utero as well as infants, children, and adults. The article first presents the genetics of TNSALP and its many known mutations underlying the disease. Then, it presents the epidemiology, classification, and clinical presentation of the six different forms of the disease (perinatal lethal, prenatal benign, infantile, childhood, adult, and odontohypophosphatasia) as well as the essential diagnostic clues. The last section on treatment presents a survey of the therapeutic approaches, up to the ongoing phase 2 studies of enzyme replacement therapy.

Interaction effect between handedness and CNTNAP2 polymorphism (rs7794745 genotype) on voice-specific frontotemporal activity in healthy individuals: an fMRI study

Recent neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that Contactin-associated protein-like2 (CNTNAP2) polymorphisms affect left-hemispheric function of language processing in healthy individuals, but no study has investigated the influence of these polymorphisms on right-hemispheric function involved in human voice perception. Further, although recent reports suggest that determination of handedness is influenced by genetic effect, the interaction effect between handedness and CNTNAP2 polymorphisms for brain activity in human voice perception and language processing has not been revealed. We aimed to investigate the interaction effect of handedness and CNTNAP2 polymorphisms in respect to brain function for human voice perception and language processing in healthy individuals. Brain function of 108 healthy volunteers (74 right-handed and 34 non-right-handed) was examined while they were passively listening to reverse sentences (rSEN), identifiable non-vocal sounds (SND), and sentences (SEN). Full factorial design analysis was calculated by using three factors: (1) rs7794745 (A/A or A/T), (2) rs2710102 [G/G or A carrier (A/G and A/A)], and (3) voice-specific response (rSEN or SND). The main effect of rs7794745 (A/A or A/T) was significantly revealed at the right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG). This result suggests that rs7794745 genotype affects voice-specific brain function. Furthermore, interaction effect was significantly observed among MFG-STG activations by human voice perception, rs7794745 (A/A or A/T), and handedness. These results suggest that CNTNAP2 polymorphisms could be one of the important factors in the neural development related to vocal communication and language processing in both right-handed and non-right-handed healthy individuals.

Neurological Symptoms of Hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a bone metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase gene (ALPL), which encodes tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). This disease is characterized by disrupted bone and tooth mineralization, and reduced serum AP activity. Along with bone and tooth symptoms, many neurological symptoms, seizure, encephalopathy, intracranial hypertension, mental retardation, deafness, and growth hormone deficiency (GHD), are frequently found in HPP patients. Seizure occurs in severe HPP types soon after birth, and responds to pyridoxine, but is an indicator of lethal prognosis. Encephalopathy rarely presents in severe HPP types, but has severe sequelae. Intracranial hypertension complicated in mild HPP types develops after the age of 1 year and sometimes need neurosurgical intervention. Mental retardation, deafness and GHD are more frequently found in Japanese HPP patients. Mental retardation occurs in all HPP types. Deafness in perinatal lethal type is both conductive and sensorineural. GHD develops in all but perinatal lethal type and the diagnosis tends to delay. The pathogenesis of these neural features of HPP might be due to impairment of both vitamin B6 metabolism and central nervous system development by ALPL mutations.

Perinatal hypophosphatasia caused by uniparental isodisomy

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inherited disorder characterized by defective bone mineralization caused by mutations in the alkaline phosphatase gene (ALPL). Clinically, the disease spans a great continuum of disease severity and six forms can be distinguished according to the age of onset. The most severe is the autosomal recessive perinatal form, a major prenatal skeletal dysplasia in Japan. The ALPL mutation c.1559delT causes perinatal HPP and occurs frequently in the Japanese. Most patients with perinatal HPP in Japan are homozygous for c.1559delT, and their parents are usually heterozygous with no evidence of consanguinity. Here we identified a fetus with perinatal HPP resulting from an unusual mechanism known as paternal uniparental isodisomy (UPD) of chromosome 1. Sequence analysis of ALPL in the patient revealed the presence of the homozygous mutation c.1559delT. We suspected UPD because the father and mother were heterozygous and wild type, respectively. Analysis of polymorphic microsatellite markers spanning chromosome 1 and whole-genome arrays revealed a uniparental inheritance from the father and excluded deletions or de novo mutations. This is the first description of perinatal HPP caused by UPD. This report also emphasizes the low recurrence risk of a non-Mendelian inheritance pattern in UPD and the value of determining parental genotypes with homozygous mutations in a patient to confirm whether the condition is caused by UPD or not, even when the mutation is detected as a hot spot, as described in the literature.

Clinical and genetic aspects of hypophosphatasia in Japanese patients

OBJECTIVE

We examined the clinical and genetic features of hypophosphatasia (HPP) in Japanese patients. HPP is a rare metabolic bone disorder of bone mineralisation caused by mutations in the liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) gene, which encodes tissue-non-specific alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme. 

METHODS

We retrospectively investigate the incidence and clinical features of 52 patients with paediatric HPP who were born between 1999 and 2010. Mutations of the ALPL gene were analysed in 31 patients.

RESULTS

The annual incidence of perinatal lethal HPP (PLH) was estimated to be 2-3/1 000 000 births. The most frequent clinical type was PLH followed by prenatal benign. In addition to bone symptoms, cerebral manifestations were frequently observed including convulsion, mental retardation, deafness and short stature with growth hormone deficiency. Respiratory failure was the most significant predictor of a poor prognosis for PLH. The first and second most frequent mutations in the ALPL gene were c.1559delT and c.T979C (p.F327L), respectively. The c.1559delT homozygous mutation was lethal with respiratory failure. Patients with the p.F327L compound heterozygous mutation had the different non-lethal type with short stature and a gradual improvement in ALP level and bone mineralisation.

CONCLUSIONS

The most frequent clinical type was the PLH type with prognosis related to respiratory failure, biochemical/radiological changes and ALPL mutations. Cerebral manifestations frequently occurred. Genotype-phenotype correlations were associated with specific outcomes in the PLH type, whereas different clinical features were associated with the same genotype in the non-lethal type.

A Case of Vitamin D Deficiency without Elevation of Serum Alkaline Phosphatase in a Carrier of Hypophosphatasia

Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a screening marker for the diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency, which may fail to be diagnosed if serum ALP is not elevated. Here, we describe a case of vitamin D deficiency without elevation of serum ALP. A 1-year-old Japanese girl was referred to our hospital for the evaluation of genu varum. Her serum intact PTH level was elevated, while her serum ALP level was normal. Furthermore, her serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was reduced, and her urine phosphoethanolamine (PEA) level was mildly elevated. ALPL gene analysis revealed she was a heterozygous carrier of hypophosphatasia (c.1559delT). Serum intact PTH and urine PEA evaluations were helpful for diagnosing vitamin D deficiency and hypophosphatasia carrier status, respectively. Therefore, the possibility of vitamin D deficiency without elevation of serum ALP should be considered.

Infantile hypophosphatasia secondary to a novel compound heterozygous mutation presenting with pyridoxine-responsive seizures

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare metabolic disease with the hallmark finding of deficient serum tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) activity. TNSALP is primarily known for its role in mineralization; hence, HPP is characterized by defective mineralization of bone and/or teeth. TNSALP is also necessary for proper vitamin B6 metabolism and its participation as a cofactor for neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Defective TNSALP activity in the brain can result in intractable seizures responsive to pyridoxine. The pathophysiology of pyridoxine-responsive seizures (PRS) in severe HPP remains to be clearly defined. We review the case of a 2-month-old Caucasian boy presenting with seizures refractory to conventional antiepileptic medications. Empiric treatment with favorable response to pyridoxine in conjunction with severe metabolic bone disease, extremely low serum alkaline phosphatase, elevated phosphoethanolamine, hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and nephrocalcinosis led to a clinical diagnosis of infantile HPP. Sequence analysis revealed compound heterozygosity of the TNSALP gene with a novel mutation in exon 9 and a previously reported mutation in exon 12. This case reminds the physician that severe infantile HPP can present with PRS as its major initial manifestation and should alert clinicians to consider HPP in their differential of PRS. In addition, despite this severe genotype, the clinical diagnosis of our patient was delayed because of minimal phenotypic features initially. This highlights that the phenotype-genotype correlation could be variable even in severe disease. This case also demonstrates that HPP should be classified as PRS and not a form of pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) as our patient was able to stop the pyridoxine supplementation without seizure recurrence once enzyme replacement was initiated. With the advent of enzyme replacement therapy, this once fatal disease may have improved morbidity and mortality.

Identical germline mutations in the TMEM127 gene in two unrelated Japanese patients with bilateral pheochromocytoma

OBJECTIVE

Recently, TMEM127 was shown to be a new pheochromocytoma susceptibility gene; this is consistent with its function as a tumour suppressor gene (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2009, 94, 2817). Most pheochromocytomas arise from the adrenal medulla, and in approximately half of the cases, the tumours are bilateral (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2009, 94, 2817; Journal of the American Medical Association, 2004, 292, 943; Human Mutation, 2010, 31, 41; Science, 2009, 325, 1139). The aim of the present study was to determine whether TMEM127 mutations are involved in the pathogenesis of pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas in Japanese subjects.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

For this study, 74 unrelated patients with pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma who tested negative for mutations and deletions in RET, VHL, SDHB and SDHD were recruited through a multi-institutional collaborative effort in Japan. The TMEM127 gene sequence was determined in their germline DNA, and tumour DNA was analysed for the loss of heterozygosity. In addition, their TMEM127 gene sequences were compared with sequences from 114 normal healthy, ethnically matched controls.

RESULTS

Among the 74 eligible patients, two unrelated patients (2·7%) with bilateral adrenal pheochromocytoma were found to have an identical germline TMEM127 mutation (c.116_119delTGTC, p.Ile41ArgfsX39) associated with 2q deletion loss of heterozygosity, which was also previously described in a Brazilian case (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2004, 292, 943). We also determined that none of the 114 normal healthy controls had this deletion mutation.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report showing that TMEM127 mutation plays a pathological role in pheochromocytoma in an Asian population. Although our surveillance is limited, the prevalence and the phenotype of this gene mutation appear to be similar to those reported in previous studies.

Successful gene therapy in utero for lethal murine hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP), caused by mutations in the gene ALPL encoding tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNALP), is an inherited systemic skeletal disease characterized by mineralization defects of bones and teeth. The clinical severity of HPP varies widely, from a lethal perinatal form to mild odontohypophosphatasia showing only dental manifestations. HPP model mice (Akp2(-/-)) phenotypically mimic the severe infantile form of human HPP; they appear normal at birth but die by 2 weeks of age because of growth failure, hypomineralization, and epileptic seizures. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of fetal gene therapy using the lethal HPP model mice. On day 15 of gestation, the fetuses of HPP model mice underwent transuterine intraperitoneal injection of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) expressing bone-targeted TNALP. Treated and delivered mice showed normal weight gain and seizure-free survival for at least 8 weeks. Vector sequence was detected in systemic organs including bone at 14 days of age. ALP activities in plasma and bone were consistently high. Enhanced mineralization was demonstrated on X-ray images of the chest and forepaw. Our data clearly demonstrate that systemic injection of AAV9 in utero is an effective strategy for the treatment of lethal HPP mice. Fetal gene therapy may be an important choice after prenatal diagnosis of life-threatening HPP.