Osteopetrosis 

Osteopetrosis is a clinical syndrome characterized by the failure of osteoclasts to resorb bone. As a consequence, bone modeling and remodeling are impaired. The defect in bone turnover characteristically results in skeletal fragility despite increased bone mass, and it may also cause hematopoietic insufficiency, disturbed tooth eruption, nerve entrapment syndromes, and growth impairment. (See Etiology and Presentation.)

Although human osteopetrosis is a heterogeneous disorder encompassing different molecular lesions and a range of clinical features, all forms share a single pathogenic nexus in the osteoclast.^[1] Osteopetrosis was first described in 1904, by German radiologist Albers-Schönberg. (See Etiology.)^[2]

Classification

In humans, 3 distinct clinical forms of the disease—infantile, intermediate, and adult onset—are identified based on age and clinical features. These variants, which are diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adulthood, respectively, account for most cases. (See Table 1, below.)

Table 1. Clinical Classification of Human Osteopetrosis (Open Table in a new window)

The classification of osteopetrosis shown above is purely clinical and must be supplemented by the molecular insights gained from animal models (see Table 2, in Etiology).

Other, rare forms of osteopetrosis have been described (eg, lethal, transient, postinfectious, acquired). A distinct form of osteopetrosis occurs in association with renal tubular acidosis and cerebral calcification due to carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme II deficiency. (See Etiology.)

Epidemiology

Overall incidence of osteopetrosis is estimated to be 1 case per 100,000-500,000 population.^{[1, 3]} However, the actual incidence is unknown, because epidemiologic studies have not been conducted.

Prognosis

In infantile osteopetrosis, bone marrow failure may occur. If untreated, infantile osteopetrosis usually results in death by the first decade of life due to severe anemia, bleeding, or infections. Patients with this condition fail to thrive, have growth retardation, and suffer increased morbidity. The prognosis of some patients with infantile osteopetrosis can markedly change after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Patients with adult osteopetrosis have good long-term survival rates. (See Treatment and Medication.)

Patient education

Counsel patients with osteopetrosis on appropriate lifestyle modifications to prevent fractures. Provide genetic counseling to patients to allow appropriate family planning. (See Treatment.)

To understand the etiology of osteopetrosis, understanding the bone-remodeling cycle and the cell biology of osteoclasts is essential.

Bone cells and bone modeling and remodeling

In 1999, Baron clearly and concisely reviewed the cell biology of the bone remodeling.^[4] Osteoblasts synthesize bone matrix, which are composed predominantly of type I collagen and are found at the bone-forming surface. Osteoblasts are of fibroblastic origin. Extracellular matrix surrounds some osteoblasts, which become osteocytes. They are believed to play a critical role in the mechanotransduction of strain in bone remodeling.

In contrast, osteoclasts are derived from the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Osteoclasts can tightly attach to the bone matrix by integrin receptors^[5] to form a sealing zone, within which is a sequestered, acidified compartment. Acidification promotes solubilization of the bone mineral in the sealing zone, and various proteases, notably cathepsin K, catalyze degradation of the matrix proteins.

Bone modeling and remodeling differ in that modeling implies a change in the shape of the overall bone and is prominent during childhood and adolescence. Modeling is the process by which the marrow cavity expands as the bone grows in diameter. Failure of modeling is the basis of hematopoietic failure in osteopetrosis. Remodeling, in contrast, involves the degradation of bone tissue from a preexisting bony structure and replacement of the degraded bone by newly synthesized bone. Failure of remodeling is the basis of the persistence of woven bone.

Osteoclast development and maturation

For precursor cells to mature, functional osteoclasts require the action of 2 distinct signals. The first is monocyte-macrophage–colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), which is mediated by a specific membrane receptor and its signaling cascade. The second is the receptor activating NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL), acting through its cognate receptor, RANK. A soluble decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin, can bind RANKL, limiting its ability to stimulate osteoclastogenesis. In mouse models, disruption of these signaling pathways leads to an osteopetrotic phenotype.^{[6, 7, 8, 9]}

Genetic and molecular defects in osteopetrosis

The primary underlying defect in all types of osteopetrosis is failure of the osteoclasts to reabsorb bone. A number of heterogeneous molecular or genetic defects can result in impaired osteoclastic function. The exact molecular defects or sites of these mutations largely are unknown. The defect may lie in the osteoclast lineage itself or in the mesenchymal cells that form and maintain the microenvironment required for proper osteoclast function.

The following is a review of some of the evidence suggesting disease etiology and heterogeneity of these causes:

• The specific genetic defect in humans is known only in osteopetrosis caused by carbonic anhydrase II deficiency (discussed below)
• Based on its inheritance pattern, infantile osteopetrosis seems to be transmitted in an autosomal recessive manner
• Viruslike inclusions have been reported in osteoclasts of some patients with benign osteopetrosis, but the clinical significance remains uncertain
• Absence of biologically active colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) due to a mutation in its coding gene causes impairment of osteoclastic function in the osteopetrotic (Op/Op) mouse; altered CSF-1 production also has been shown in toothless (tl) osteopetrotic rats, and knockout mice of some proto-oncogenes have been shown to have osteopetrosis

Research has demonstrated that the clinical syndrome of adult type I osteopetrosis is not true osteopetrosis, with the increased bone mass of this condition being due to activating mutations of LRP5.^[10] These mutations cause increased bone mass but no associated defect of osteoclast function. Instead, some have hypothesized that the set point of bone responsiveness to mechanical loading is altered, resulting in an altered balance between bone resorption and deposition in response to weight bearing and muscle contraction.

Some cases of type II osteopetrosis result from mutations of CLCN7, the type 7 chloride channel.^{[11, 12]} However, in other families with the clinical syndrome of type II adult osteopetrosis, linkage to other distinct genomic regions has been demonstrated. Therefore, the clinical syndrome is genetically heterogeneous.

In mice, many mutations result in osteopetrotic phenotypes (summarized in Table 2, below). Human homologs are known for only some of the murine lesions.

Table 2. Molecular Lesions Leading to Osteopetrosis in the Mouse (Open Table in a new window)

Osteopetrosis in carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme II deficiency

A distinct form of osteopetrosis occurs in association with renal tubular acidosis and cerebral calcification due to carbonic anhydrase isoenzyme II deficiency. This enzyme catalyzes the formation of carbonic acid from water and carbon dioxide. Carbonic acid dissociates spontaneously to release protons, which are essential for creating an acidic environment required for dissolution of bone mineral in the resorption lacunae. Lack of this enzyme results in impaired bone resorption. Clinical features vary considerably among individuals who are affected.