Showing papers by "Joan C. Marini published in 2023"
TL;DR: In this article , a conditional Tmem38b knock out mouse was used to demonstrate that lack of TRIC-B in osteoblasts strongly impairs skeleton growth and structure, leading to bone fractures.
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors investigated the contribution of intrinsic lung factors to impaired pulmonary function in children and young adults with OI types III, IV, VI, and VII OI.
Abstract: Purpose Pulmonary disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). We investigated the contribution of intrinsic lung factors to impaired pulmonary function in children and young adults with OI types III, IV, VI. Methods Patients with type III (n=8), IV (n=21), VI (n=5), VII (n=2) or XIV (n=1) OI (mean age 23.6 years) prospectively underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and thoracic CT and radiographs. Results PFT results were similar using arm span or ulnar length as height surrogates. PFTs were significantly lower in type III than type IV or VI OI. All patients with type III and half of type IV OI had lung restriction; 90% of patients with OI had reduced gas exchange. Patients with COL1A1 variants had significantly lower forced expiratory flow (FEF)25%–75% compared with those with COL1A2 variants. PFTs correlated negatively with Cobb angle or age. CT scans revealed small airways bronchial thickening (100%, 86%, 100%), atelectasis (88%, 43%, 40%), reticulations (50%, 29%, 20%), ground glass opacities (75%, 5%, 0%), pleural thickening (63%, 48%, 20%) or emphysema (13%, 19%, 20%) in type III, IV or VI OI, respectively. Conclusion Both lung intrinsic and extrinsic skeletal abnormalities contribute to OI pulmonary dysfunction. Most young adult patients have restrictive disease and abnormal gas exchange; impairment is greater in type III than type IV OI. Decreased FEF25%–75% and thickening of small bronchi walls indicate a critical role for small airways. Lung parenchymal abnormalities (atelectasis, reticulations) and pleural thickening were also detected. Clinical interventions to mitigate these impairments are warranted. Trial registration number NCT03575221.
TL;DR: In this paper , the role of TMEM38B/TRIC-B in human osteoblast differentiation and mineralization was further investigated, showing that cell-cell adhesion was one of the most downregulated pathways in Tmem38b-null osteoblasts, with further validation by real-time PCR and Western blot.