In vitro osteogenic differentiation is affected in Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch-Syndrome (WRS).

BACKGROUND Wiedemann-Rautenstrauch (neonatal progeroid) syndrome (WRS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition, with the characteristic appearance of premature aging already present at birth and other typical features (hypotrichosis, macrocephaly, mental retardation, aged face, generalized lipoatrophy, abnormal tooth status, osteopenia and other skeletal abnormalities). To date, there are no data about the differentiation capacity of WRS progenitor cells available in the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS To elucidate the osteoblastic and chondroblastic regeneration potential in WRS, a progenitor cell culture system was used. Bone marrow-derived stem cells of a 16-year-old WRS patient were cultivated and stimulated by dexamethasone, ascorbic acid and beta-glycerolphosphate (DAG) over 21 days. Immunocytochemical stainings of CD34, CD45, CD105, osteocalcin, osteopontin and collagen II served for a quantitative evaluation of the differentiated cells. The results were compared to bone marrow-derived stem cells of a healthy female volunteer donor. RESULTS It was shown, for the first time, that WRS cells showed a highly significant lower in vitro response to osteoblastic differentiation stimulus. Furthermore, significantly fewer chondrocytes and hematopoietic cells were induced in WRS progenitors compared to the control group. CONCLUSION Our data suggest a lack of cellular differentiation capacity in WRS patients, which may be responsible for the clinical appearance and symptoms of this rare disorder.