Abstract
BACKGROUND: Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4; MIM 604270) modulates WNT/β-catenin signaling, through its binding of WNT ligands, and to co-receptors LRP5/6, and WNT inhibitors DKK1, SOSTDC1, and SOST. LRP4 binds to SOSTDC1 and WNT proteins establishing a negative feedback loop between Wnt/β-catenin, Bmp, and Shh signaling during the bud and cap stages of tooth development. Consistent with a critical role for this complex in developing teeth, mice lacking Lrp4 or Sostdc1 have multiple dental anomalies including supernumerary incisors and molars. However, there is limited evidence supporting variants in LRP4 in human dental pathologies. METHODS: We clinically, radiographically, and molecularly investigated 94 Thai patients with mesiodens. Lrp4 mutant mice were generated in order to study the effects of aberrant Lrp4 expression in mice. RESULTS: Whole exome and Sanger sequencing identified three extremely rare variants (c.4154A>G, p.Asn1385Ser; c.3940G>A, p.Gly1314Ser; and c.448G>A, p.Asp150Asn) in LRP4 in seven patients with mesiodens. Two patients had oral exostoses and two patients had root maldevelopments. Supernumerary incisors were observed in Lrp4 mutant mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our study implicates heterozygous genetic variants in LRP4 as contributing factors in the presentation of mesiodens, root maldevelopments, and oral exostoses, possibly as a result of altered WNT/β-catenin-BMP-SHH signaling.