Studies of Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue

Overview

Background: \- Heritable disorders of connective tissue are genetic conditions that can affect the skin and other parts of the body. They are related to mutations in genes that are responsible for building tissues. The symptoms differ among disorders. Researchers want to study which genes may be responsible for different disorders. They will be performing a long-term (up to 10 years) study and a study that requires a single visit. These studies will look at how these disorders affect the body and what genes may cause these conditions. Objectives: \- To perform one-time and long-term studies of people who have heritable disorders of connective tissue. Eligibility: \- Individuals at least 2 years of age who have or may have a heritable disorder of connective tissue. Design: * Participants will be screened with a physical exam, medical history, and blood samples. * Participants will be on one of two parts of this study. The longitudinal arm will require long-term study over about 10 years. The mutational analysis arm will involve a single visit. * Longitudinal arm participants must be at least 12 years of age. They will have study visits at regular intervals for up to 10 years. The tests given at these visits may include all or some of the following: * Blood, saliva, urine, and skin samples * Heart and lung function tests * Magnetic resonance imaging scans of the neck, chest, spine, and abdomen * Other imaging studies such as x-rays, bone density scans, and ultrasounds * Questionnaires about sleep, pain, and quality of life * Photographs of affected areas. * Mutational analysis arm participants will have a single study visit. They will provide blood and saliva samples. They will provide tissue from a skin biopsy. They will also let the researchers take photos of any affected body parts. They will complete questionnaires about sleep, pain, and quality of life.

Heritable disorders of connective tissue are a heterogenous group of genetic conditions caused by defects of extracellular matrix elements such as collagen, elastin, mucopolysaccharides or related biomolecules. The genetic cause of many connective tissue disorders has been elucidated, while others are yet to be discovered or further defined. While clinical diagnostic criteria have been established for several of the connective tissue syndromes, many share features that overlap the known descriptions of other connective tissue disorders. Therefore, further characterization and phenotype/genotype correlation is needed to adequately diagnose and find treatments for these yet-to-be genotyped disorders. An aim of this work is the examination of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurological complications of heritable connective tissue disorders (HDCT) and the natural history of these complications. Through mutational analysis for genes known to cause the HDCT, as well as identification of new genes, we will assess the relationship between specific mutations and their associated disease phenotypes. Through the analysis of tissue specimens obtained from patients with HDCT, we will identify the biochemical pathways that lead to connective tissue fragility. We will continue to assess the severity, prevalence, and pattern of pain and related psychological and quality of life dimensions in HDCT. The resulting understanding of genotype/phenotype correlations and biochemical pathways will enhance our understanding of connective tissue biology. This knowledge has the potential to lead to new treatments for not only patients with HDCT, but also for pathological conditions associated with the weakness of connective tissues in aging.