Background

Osteopoikilosis is a rare and primarily benign autosomal dominant genetic entity caused by heterozygous mutations in the LEMD3 gene. It is characterised by the occurrence of the hyperostotic spots throughout the skeleton, with most frequent localization in the epiphyses and metaphyses of the long bones, as well as in the carpal and tarsal bones [1]. The clinical features of osteopoikilosis are relatively mild, therefore the condition is usually diagnosed by chance or because of the association with other medical problems (fractures, joint dislocations, etc.). In addition to spotty bone changes, some patients affected by osteopoikilosis develop the superficial skin lesions (elastic-type nevi) and/or subcutaneous foci of dermatofibrosis. Such combination of clinical features is categorized as a separate condition named the Buschke-Ollendorff syndrome [3]. Osteopoikilosis has also been found in association with a more severe and detrimental bone disease called melorheostosis. Melorheostosis manifests with predominantly asymmetric depositions of dense compact bone on the periosteal and endosteal surface of the long bones, resembling a dripping wax of a candle. Bone deformations are often associated with the ossification of the soft tissue in the joint proximity, which can cause compression of the adjacent nerves, and result in pain. Heterozygous LEMD3 gene mutations were detected in all such cases. In contrast, no germline LEMD3 mutations were found in the isolated cases of melorheostosis [7, 8]. Thus, genetic cause of isolated melorheostosis remains unknown. Melorheostosis belongs to a group of osteogenic lesions together with another disease called hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) [9]. Multiple exostoses (enchondromas) are caused by heterozygous mutations in EXT1, EXT2 and/or EXT3 genes. The EXT proteins function in the proteoglycan synthesis and play tumour suppressor roles. EXT1 and EXT2 have both been shown to encode a heparan sulphate polymerase with both D-glucuronyl (GlcA) and N-acetyl-D-glycosaminoglycan (GlcNAC) transferase activities and their functions are indispensable for heparin-sulphate biosynthesis [10]. The nature of the tumour suppressor effects of the heparan sulphate biosynthesis is not entirely clear, however the regulation of Ihh signalling was proposed to play an important role [11]. Here we describe a family with 5 patients affected by osteopoikilosis caused by novel mutation in the LEMD3 gene. Interestingly, three of the patients affected with this new LEMD3 mutation additionally carry a new mutation in the EXT1 gene. We discuss possible implications.

Methods

Patients

We studied a two-branch family of Polish descent. The main branch comprised three generations with five individuals affected by osteopoikilosis. We also examined a more distant kindred affected by the severe deformational condition of the long bones. The local ethics committee approved the study and written, informed consent was obtained from all participants or their legal guardians for publication of this case report, including clinical data, pedigree and X-ray images. Copies of all written consents are available for review on request.

DNA sequencing

The LEMD3 and EXT1 genes were analyzed by bidirectional sequencing with primers listed in the see (Table 1). PCR amplification of LEMD3 gene was performed in a 20 μl final volume, contained 1 U of Taq polymerase (FIRE Pol) with buffer supplemented with 1.5 mM Mg2+, 0.4 mM dNTP, 8 pmol of each forward and reverse primer, and 30 ng of DNA. The exons were amplified as following: 5 min at 94°C, 35 cycles (30 sec 94°C, 30 sec 60°C, 30 sec 72°C) 10 min 72°C. PCR amplifications of EXT1 gene were performed in a 20 μl final volume, contained 1 U of Taq polymerase (Invitek) with buffer supplemented with 2 mM Mg2+, 0.4 mM dNTP, 8 pmol of each forward and reverse primer, and 30 ng of DNA. PCR conditions used were as in case of LEMD3, with exception of exon1-2 and exon 6 amplification, where annealing temperature varied from 55°C to 61°C (touchdown PCR). PCR products were sequenced with the DNA Sequencing Kit BigDye™ Terminator v3.0 Cycle Sequencing (Applied Biosystems) on an ABI 3730 automated sequencer. All exons were compared to genomic sequence (NM_014319.3 for LEMD3 gene and NM_000127.2 for EXT1 gene) and variations were numbered according to Ensembl ENSG00000174106 for LEMD3 and ENSG00000182197 for EXT1. Healthy control subjects were screened for the identified mutations in the LEMD3 and EXT1 genes via sequence analysis. cDNA was synthesised using random hexamer primers as described below. PCR amplification of the EXT1 cDNA fragments was done with primer pairs listed in (Table 2). The amplification conditions were like for the genomic DNA sequencing. PCR products were sequenced with the DNA Sequencing Kit BigDye™ Terminator v3.0 Cycle Sequencing (Applied Biosystems) on an ABI 3730 automated sequencer.

Table 1 Sequences of the primers used for LEMD3 and EXT1 gene amplification and sequencing.
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Table 2 Sequences of the primers used for EXT1 cDNA amplification and sequencing.
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Isolation of the primary osteoblast cells

Surgically removed exostosis was placed in alphaMEM medium supplemented with 10% FCS, Penicilin-Streptomycin and Glutamine and transported to laboratory within 24 h. Bone was cleaned of any remaining connective tissue and 3 rounds of collagenase IV (2 mg/ml) digest 1× 5 min. and 2× 20 min. each at 37°C were performed. Cells from the first digestion were discarded whereas second and third digests were pooled and seeded in the alpha-MEM medium. Cells were cultured till confluent.

RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis

Total RNA was isolated with peqGOLD TriFast™ reagent (PeqLab) according to supplied protocol. cDNAs were synthesised from 1 μg total RNAs with SuperscriptII (Invitrogen) according to manufacturer's guidelines.

Results

Clinical History

In the current study we identified a family with congenital osteopoikilosis (Figure 1). The affected family members suffered from moderate to intermittent pain in the hands and feet, with onset of the symptoms varying from 15 (Patient IV:17) to 26 years of age (Patient III:13). X-ray examination revealed disseminated sclerotic foci in the bones of the hands and feet, in the epiphyseal parts of the long bones as well as pelvis and sacrum (Figure 2). Clinical features observed in the affected family members are summarized in (Table 3), and involve several findings: dermatofibrosis, tetralogy of fallot (TOF), ovarian and sinus cysts, diabetes mellitus type 2, and vitiligo. Interestingly these various features were presented by the patients who carried both LEMD3 and EXT1 gene mutations (with exception of dermatofibrosis which was presented by a patient affected with LEMD3 mutation only).

Figure 1
figure 1

Co-occurrence of LEMD3 and EXT1 mutations. (A) Co-occurrence of LEMD3 (*) and EXT1 missense mutation (α) in the family affected with osteopoikilosis. A 9 bp deletion in EXT1 gene (β) affecting patient suffering from multiple exostoses. (B) Representative electrophoregrams of the detected mutations. Osteopoikilosis phenotype is shown in black, whereas multiple exostoses syndrome is represented with brown colour. Horizontal bars over symbols mark patients who underwent clinical examination and molecular testing.

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Figure 2
figure 2

Sclerotic changes in the hands, feet, and pelvis of the osteopoikilosis affected patients positive for c.2203C > T (p.R735X) LEMD3 mutation. (A) Hyperostotic spots are seen bilaterally in the distal parts of radius and carpal bones (arrows) as well as in the phalanges of hands and feet and in the pelvis (arrowheads). (B) Radiological appearance of the right hand of the proband (V:I - carrying intron 5 IVS5-2 A > G mutation) at the age of 5 years. Large exostoses in the proximal part of the humerus, as well as in the proximal and distal ends of the ulna and radius are demarcated with arrows.

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Table 3 Clinical symptoms identified in the patients presenting with osteopoikilosis.
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We also consulted a more distant relative of this family (V:1), who was independently referred to a clinical geneticist at the age of 7 years. X-ray examination showed large multiple exostoses predominantly localized in the ends of the long bones (Figure 2). The boy was operated at the age of 7 years for a large exostosis affecting proximal part of the right humerus. Histopathological examination of the removed bone was suggestive of enchondromatosis.

Mutation Detection

Full coding sequence and exon-intron boundaries of the LEMD3 gene were analyzed in the nine individuals. Patients (III:10, III:13, IV:8, IV:15, IV:17) were heterozygous for C-to-T transition in exon 9 (c.2203C > T) on genomic DNA. This mutation was predicted to change amino acid 735 from an arginine to a stop codon (p.R735X) (Figure 1, Figure 3A). Three out of these patients (III:13, IV:15, IV:17) additionally carried a heterozygous mutation in the EXT1 gene. This mutation altered G-to-A in exon 9 (c.1732G > A) on genomic DNA and predicted to change amino acid 578 from an alanine to a threonine (p.A578T). Presence of both LEMD3 and EXT1 variants was excluded among 81 and 247 healthy Polish and German controls respectively. Bioinformatic analysis of the EXT1 sequence with SIFT http://sift.jcvi.org and PolyPhen http://genetics.bwh.harvard.edu/pph/ software indicated a high probability of the mutation being deleterious for the protein function (PolyPhen - PSIC score difference for A578T: 1.688) - see (Figure 3B) for sequence conservation. However, affected patients did not exhibit exostoses and no additional skeletal manifestations beyond hyper-mineralized foci were detected. Interestingly, patients affected with both LEMD3 and EXT1 mutations presented spectrum of additional non-skeletal pathologies, which included: (IV:15) TOF and ovarian cysts, (IV:17) sinus cysts, and (III:13) diabetes melitus type 2 and vitiligo (Table 3).

Figure 3
figure 3

Schematic representation of the LEMD3 and EXT1 protein structure with the protein motifs and domains assigned. (A) The LEMD3 R735X (*) mutation localizes in SMAD binding domain of LEMD3. EXT1 mutation A578T (α) localizes in the glycotransferase domain of EXT1. EXT1 mutation IVS5-2 A > G (p. DEL 429-431) (β) is located in the conserved region of the protein in-between two catalytically active domains. (B) Evolutionary conservation of the mutated amino acid residues in the EXT1. The block of absolute sequence conservation surrounding mutation sites is demarcated with the red bracket.

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A different mutation in EXT1 gene was identified in the patient (V:1), diagnosed with multiple exostoses syndrome. The patient carried a heterozygotic splice site mutation in intron 5 (IVS5-2 A > G), as detected in blood lymphocytes and primary osteoblast progenitor cells obtained from the surgically removed exostoses. Sequencing of the exostoses derived cDNA (obtained from the cells isolated from the affected bone) showed that splice site mutation resulted in the in-frame deletion of 9 bp of the exon 5 leading to a deletion of three amino acids (pos. 429-431 - two conserved isoleucin residues and a conserved glutamic acid residue) (Figure 3B). Functional relevance of the deleted amino acids was predicted based on their evolutionary conservation.

Discussion

We identified a family with five members affected by osteopoikilosis caused by a novel nonsense heterozygous mutation (p.R735X) localised in exon 9 of the LEMD3 gene. In other branch of this family we identified a boy affected by more severe bone deformations. The boy was initially suspected of the melorheostosis, but upon X-ray examination, the diagnosis was corrected to the multiple exostoses syndrome. Clinical diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by sequence analysis of the EXT1 gene and identification of a previously undescribed splice site mutation (IVS5-2 A>G). This finding led us to sequence EXT1 gene in the rest of the family. Surprisingly, three of the osteopoikilosis affected patients additionally to LEMD3 mutation carried a yet unreported amino acid variant (p.A578T) in the EXT1 gene. Of note was a wide spectrum of the clinical symptoms observed in these family members, which ranged from heart defect, diabetes mellitus, vitiligo to ovarian and sinus cyst formation. None of these pathologies was observed in the examined family members who carried LEMD3 mutation only (patients III:10 and IV:8), nor in the family members who were free of mutations in both genes (patients III:5, III:8, III:14, IV:3). However, since we were unable to examine other unaffected family members, the relevance of this observation remains uncertain. The EXT1 splice site mutation and other identified mutations must have occurred independently in the two branches of the family.

The exact mechanism by which LEMD3 gene mutations lead to the formation of the bone lesions is not clear. LEMD3 inactivation in mice was recently shown to result in the mid-gestation lethality [12]. However, heterozygous mice were healthy and no bone lesions reminiscent of osteopoikilosis could be detected, leaving question mark over patho-mechanism of the disease. Co-occurrence of the LEMD3 gene mutation with the mutation in another gene has not yet been reported. Presented case constitutes first such report. Following considerations appear relevant based on the review of the available literature. It has been shown that LEM domain containing proteins interact with the barrier-to-autointegration factor (BAF) [13]. BAF is a component of the chromatin remodelling complex, which uses energy from ATP to dismantle DNA-histone complexes [14]. This is on one hand necessary for initiation of transcription, and it has been postulated that LEMD3, through BAF and SMAD interactions might regulate the expression of osteogenic genes [2]. On the other hand it is known that chromatin remodelling is necessary for the efficient DNA repair [15]. LEMD3 closely associates with the intranuclear lamina and mutations in other lamin interacting proteins are known to result in the DNA damage accumulation [16]. Indeed, it has been suggested that lamin complexes acts as assembly scaffolds for DNA repair machinery [17]. Thus, it seems legitimate to ask if inactivation of LEMD3 could also result in an increased mutational susceptibility and increased frequency of the post-zygotic second hit mutation occurrence. In this context it is interesting to note that osteopoikilosis was previously reported to coincide with other pathological entities, including various types of cancers: synovial chondromatosis [18], synoviosarcoma [19], chondrosarcoma [20], osteosarcoma [21], giant cell tumor [22], metastatic breast carcinoma [23], as well as developmental dysplasias: dental, facial abnormalities, coarctation of the aorta, double urether, mental retardation and other reviewed by Gunal et.al. [24].

Clearly, further research is needed to address possible association of the LEMD3 loss of function with DNA mutation susceptibility. Presented study constitutes first example of the LEMD3 gene mutation co-occurrence with additional genetic alteration, which could potentially modify and/or constitute the nature of the osteopoikilosis.

Conclusions

The presented case points to importance of the thorough clinical evaluation of the osteopoikilosis patients as phenotypic features of osteopoikilosis with melorheostosis might be confused with the co-occurrence of osteopoikilosis and multiple exostoses. The data encourage re-evaluation of the known osteopoikilosis families for the possible co-occurrence of other than Buschke-Ollendorff and melorheostosis disease entities and investigation of the possible LEMD3 function in the DNA repair.