Unraveling the genetic collagen connection: clinical and therapeutic insights on genetic connective tissue disorders

Adv Rheumatol. 2024 Apr 25;64(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s42358-024-00373-z.

Abstract

Hereditary connective tissue disorders include more than 200 conditions affecting different organs and tissues, compromising the biological role of the extracellular matrix through interference in the synthesis, development, or secretion of collagen and/or its associated proteins. The clinical phenotype includes multiple signs and symptoms, usually nonspecific but of interest to rheumatologists because of musculoskeletal involvement. The patient´s journey to diagnosis is long, and physicians should include these disorders in their differential diagnoses of diseases with systemic involvement. In this review, insights for the diagnosis and treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta, hypermobility spectrum disorder/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan, Loeys-Dietz, and Stickler syndromes are presented.

Keywords: Collagen; Connective tissue disease; Ehlers–Danlos syndrome; Extracellular matrix; Loeys–Dietz syndrome; Marfan syndrome; Osteogenesis imperfecta; Stickler syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis
  • Collagen / genetics
  • Connective Tissue Diseases* / genetics
  • Connective Tissue Diseases* / therapy
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / genetics
  • Hearing Loss, Sensorineural
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / genetics
  • Loeys-Dietz Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Loeys-Dietz Syndrome / genetics
  • Marfan Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Marfan Syndrome / genetics
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta / genetics
  • Retinal Detachment

Substances

  • Collagen

Supplementary concepts

  • Stickler syndrome, type 1