title: Osteopetrosis and its relevance for the discovery of new functions associated with the skeleton.
abstract: Osteopetrosis is a rare genetic disorder characterized by an increase of bone mass due to defective osteoclast function. Patients typically displayed spontaneous fractures, anemia, and in the most severe forms hepatosplenomegaly and compression of cranial facial nerves leading to deafness and blindness. Osteopetrosis comprises a heterogeneous group of diseases as several forms are known with different models of inheritance and severity from asymptomatic to lethal. This review summarizes the genetic and clinical features of osteopetrosis, emphasizing how recent studies of this disease have contributed to understanding the central role of the skeleton in the whole body physiology. In particular, the interplay of bone with the stomach, insulin metabolism, male fertility, the immune system, bone marrow, and fat is described.
authors: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France.
authors: Amélie E
authors: AE
authors: Coudert
authors: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1132, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France.
authors: Marie-Christine
authors: MC
authors: de Vernejoul
authors: Regenerative Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Muraca
authors: Regenerative Medicine Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: 0000-0003-3848-412X
authors: A
authors: Del Fattore