Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Description

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a disorder in which muscle tissue and connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments are gradually replaced by bone (ossified), forming bone outside the skeleton (extra-skeletal or heterotopic bone) that limits movement. This process generally becomes noticeable in early childhood, starting with the neck and shoulders and proceeding down the body and into the limbs.

Extra-skeletal bone formation causes progressive loss of mobility as the joints become affected. Inability to fully open the mouth may cause difficulty in speaking and eating. Over time, people with this disorder may experience malnutrition due to their eating problems. They may also have breathing difficulties as a result of extra bone formation around the rib cage that restricts expansion of the lungs.

Any trauma to the muscles of an individual with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, such as a fall or invasive medical procedures, may trigger episodes of muscle swelling and inflammation (myositis) followed by more rapid ossification in the injured area. Flare-ups may also be caused by viral illnesses such as influenza.

People with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva are generally born with malformed big toes. This abnormality of the big toes is a characteristic feature that helps to distinguish this disorder from other bone and muscle problems. Affected individuals may also have short thumbs and other skeletal abnormalities.

Frequency

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a very rare disorder, believed to occur in approximately 1 in 1 million people worldwide. Several hundred cases have been reported.

Causes

Variants (also known as mutations) in the ACVR1 gene cause fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. This gene provides instructions for making a member of a protein family called bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptors. The ACVR1 protein is found in many tissues of the body including skeletal muscle and cartilage. It helps to control the growth and development of the bones and muscles, including the gradual replacement of cartilage by bone (ossification) that occurs in normal skeletal maturation from birth to young adulthood.

Studies show that variants in the ACVR1 gene disrupt mechanisms that control the receptor's activity. As a result, the receptor is turned on when it normally should not be. Too much receptor activity causes overgrowth of bone and cartilage, resulting in the signs and symptoms of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

Inheritance

This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.

Most cases of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva result from new variants in the gene. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. In a small number of cases, an affected person has inherited the variant from one affected parent.

Autosomal dominant inheritance with a new (de novo) mutation. Credit: U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Autosomal dominant inheritance. Credit: U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Other Names for This Condition

• FOP
• Myositis ossificans
• Myositis ossificans progressiva
• Progressive myositis ossificans
• Progressive ossifying myositis

Where this page came from

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