Abstract
Achondroplasia (ACH) is a skeletal dysplasia characterized by short-limbed short stature caused by the gain-of-function mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene. Activated FGFR3, which is a negative regulator of bone elongation, impairs the growth of long bones and the spinal arch by inhibiting chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Most patients with ACH have spinal canal stenosis in addition to short stature. Meclozine has been found to inhibit FGFR3 via drug repurposing. A 10-d treatment with meclozine promoted long-bone growth in a mouse model of ACH (Fgfr3(ach) mice). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term meclozine administration on promoting bone growth and the spinal canal in Fgfr3(ach) mice. Meclozine (2 mg/kg/d) was orally administered to Fgfr3(ach) mice for 5 d per wk from the age of 7 d to 56 d. Meclozine (2 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced the rate of death or paralysis and improved the length of the body, cranium, and long bones in male and female Fgfr3(ach) mice. Micro-computed tomography analysis revealed that meclozine ameliorated kyphotic deformities and trabecular parameters, including BMD, bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number at distal femur of Fgfr3(ach) mice in both sexes. Histological analyses revealed that the hypertrophic zone in the growth plate was restored in Fgfr3(ach) mice following meclozine treatment, suggesting upregulation of endochondral ossification. Skeletal preparations demonstrated that meclozine restored the spinal canal diameter in Fgfr3(ach) mice in addition to improving the length of each bone. The 2 mg/kg/d dose of meclozine reduced the rate of spinal paralysis caused by spinal canal stenosis, maintained the growth plate structure, and recovered the bone quality and growth of axial and appendicular skeletons of Fgfr3(ach) mice in both sexes. Long-term meclozine administration has the potential to ameliorate spinal paralysis and bone growth in patients with ACH.