Unraveling Genetics of HypoPhosPhatasia (HPP Genetics) Observational Study

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare Inborn Error of Metabolism (IEM), characterized by low tissue-nonspecific isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is crucial for osteoid mineralization. Its main substrate in bone is pyrophosphate (PPi), a natural inhibitor of mineralization. ALP cleaves pyrophosphate into its two phosphate moieties, which then become available to the mineralization process. This ALP deficiency results in accumulation of its substrates, mainly inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi), pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP), and phosphoethanolamine (PEA).

Beyond the bone and the Central Nervous System (CNS), ALP deficiency has an impact on a number of other organs and systems, resulting in a broad range of manifestations, including dental (premature tooth loss), muscular (muscle weakness, delayed walking, abnormal gait), rheumatic (calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, fibromyalgia, fatigue, joint laxity), eye (calcifications), renal (nephrocalcinosis, kidney stones, renal failure), and gastrointestinal tract disturbance (gastroesophageal reflux).

The specific symptoms can vary greatly from one person to another, sometimes even among members of the same family. There are five major clinical forms of HPP (perinatal, infantile, childhood, adult, and odontohypophosphatasia), ranging from an extremely severe form that can cause stillbirth to a form associated with only premature loss of baby (deciduous) teeth, but no bone abnormalities.

The genetic reason of Hypophosphatasia is mainly caused by mutations in the ALPL gene, coding for the tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme. At least 397 distinct pathogenic variants (predominantly missense variants) were described to lead to low levels of the ALP enzyme. HPP can be inherited in an autosomal recessive (most perinatal and infantile forms) or autosomal dominant manner (typically the adult form and odontohypophosphatasia).

Since ALPL dependent prevalence is very low, while symptoms overlapping HPP are much more common, other primary - genetic - forms of HPP-like symptoms are to be sought and characterized.