Frank-Ter Haar syndrome (FTHS), Winchester syndrome (WS), Torg syndrome (TS) and Multicentric Osteolysis Nodulosis and Arthropathy (MONA) are progressive skeletal dysplasia consisting of acro-osteolysis. Mutation in Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) and SH3PXD2B are known genetic defects in these disorders. We hereby report a 5 years and 9 months old girl suffering from progressive limb deformity. She is the first child of a relative couple, who was referred to metabolic disorders\' clinic due to poor growth and bone pain. On physical examination, minor facial dysmorphism, hypertrichosis, severe hand deformity with limitation in range of motion in carpal, metacarpal and phalangeal joints, hallux valgus deformity of feet, soft tissue hypertrophy and nodule formation in palmoplantar areas were detected. Her past history indicated a cardiac defect resulting in open heart surgery at 8 months of age. Genetic study revealed a new homozygote nonsense mutation in MMP2 gene explaining her clinical manifestations. We recommend careful evaluation and follow-up of patients with congenital heart disease, as it may be the first presentation of a genetic multisystem disorder. Early differentiation of the disease from other skeletal dysplasia and rheumatologic disorders could prevent unnecessary management.

Deficiency of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) causes a complex syndrome characterized by multicentric osteolysis, nodulosis, and arthropathy (MONA) as well as cardiac valve defects, dwarfism and hirsutism. MMP-2 deficient (Mmp2 -/-) mice are a model for this rare multisystem pediatric syndrome but their phenotype remains incompletely characterized. Here, we extend the phenotypic characterization of MMP-2 deficiency by comparing the levels of cytokines and chemokines, soluble cytokine receptors, angiogenesis factors, bone development factors, apolipoproteins and hormones in mice and humans. Initial screening was performed on an 8-year-old male presenting a previously unreported deletion mutation c1294delC (Arg432fs) in the MMP2 gene and diagnosed with MONA. Of eighty-one serum biomolecules analyzed, eleven were upregulated (>4-fold), two were downregulated (>4-fold) and sixty-eight remained unchanged, compared to unaffected controls. Specifically, Eotaxin, GM-CSF, M-CSF, GRO-α, MDC, IL-1β, IL-7, IL-12p40, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and MIG were upregulated and epidermal growth factor (EGF) and ACTH were downregulated in this patient. Subsequent analysis of five additional MMP-2 deficient patients confirmed the upregulation in Eotaxin, IL-7, IL-12p40, and MIP-1α, and the downregulation in EGF. To establish whether these alterations are bona fide phenotypic traits of MMP-2 deficiency, we further studied Mmp2 -/- mice. Among 32 cytokines measured in plasma of Mmp2 -/- mice, the cytokines Eotaxin, IL-1β, MIP-1α, and MIG were commonly upregulated in mice as well as patients with MMP-2 deficiency. Moreover, bioactive cortisol (a factor that exacerbates osteoporosis) was also elevated in MMP-2 deficient mice and patients. Among the factors we have identified to be dysregulated in MMP-2 deficiency many are osteoclastogenic and could potentially contribute to bone disorder in MONA. These new molecular phenotypic traits merit being targeted in future research aimed at understanding the pathological mechanisms elicited by MMP-2 deficiency in children.

​Multicentric osteolysis nodulosis and arthropathy (MONA) is an infrequently described autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia characterized by progressive osteolysis and arthropathy. Inactivating mutations in MMP2, encoding matrix metalloproteinase-2, are known to cause this disorder. Fifteen families with mutations in MMP2 have been reported in literature. In this study we screened thirteen individuals from eleven families for MMP2 mutations and identified eight mutations (five novel and three known variants). We characterize the clinical, radiographic and molecular findings in all individuals with molecularly proven MONA from the present cohort and previous reports, and provide a comprehensive review of the MMP2 related disorders.