Costello syndrome is a RASopathy caused by heterozygous germline gain-of-function mutations in HRAS, characterized by failure to thrive in infancy, distinctive coarse facial features, intellectual disability, cardiac abnormalities (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias), skeletal abnormalities (joint laxity, ulnar deviation), and a predisposition to malignancies (rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, bladder carcinoma). The syndrome results from constitutive activation of the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway, with additional evidence for altered mitochondrial proteostasis, defective oxidative phosphorylation, and broader bioenergetic dysfunction in Costello syndrome model systems.
Conditions with similar clinical presentations that must be differentiated from Costello Syndrome:
This report is retrieval-only and is generated directly from Asta results.
search_papers_by_relevance with snippet_search.Pathophysiology description Costello syndrome (CS) is a Rasopathy caused by heterozygous, germline gain-of-function variants in HRAS that dysregulate Ras protein signal transduction and downstream effector pathways. Core signaling derangements include persistent activation of the RAS/MAPK cascade and aberrant PI3K signaling observed in patient-derived cells, which together perturb proliferation, differentiation, growth, and survival programs across multiple tissues (developmental, cardiac, ectodermal, and oncogenic contexts) (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4).
At the cellular level in the heart, HRAS-mutant atrial-like cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-derived) exhibit an increased fraction of pacemaker-like cells, elevated funny current (If), and a hybrid atrial/nodal transcriptional program with upregulation of ISL1, TBX3, and TBX18, along with disrupted intracellular calcium handling. These electrophysiologic and transcriptional changes mechanistically link hyperactive HRAS to multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) and arrhythmogenesis in CS. Pharmacologic modulation in vitro shows that ivabradine (HCN/If inhibitor) and flecainide (Nav1.5 blocker) reduce beating rates, while verapamil (L-type Ca2+ channel blocker) attenuates irregularity, providing proof-of-mechanism and candidate antiarrhythmic strategies (publication URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022; Apr 2024) (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5).
Tumor predisposition is characteristic, with a lifetime risk on the order of 10–15% for embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, consistent with the role of HRAS pathway hyperactivation in oncogenic transformation. Cardiovascular disease is prominent and includes congenital heart defects (CHD), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and distinctive supraventricular arrhythmias such as MAT, which may occur independently of HCM. MEK inhibition is discussed as a targeted therapeutic approach in severe RASopathy-associated cardiac disease, reflecting the centrality of MAPK hyperactivation in pathogenesis (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33).
Direct supporting quotes - “CS-associated gain-of-function HRASG12 mutations in induced pluripotent stem cells-derived [atrial-like cardiomyocytes] trigger transcriptional changes associated with enhanced automaticity and arrhythmic activity consistent with multifocal atrial tachycardia.” (URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022; Apr 2024) (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3) - In HRAS-mutant atrial-like cardiomyocytes, “the hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide gated potassium channel inhibitor ivabradine and the Nav1.5 blocker flecainide significantly decreased beating rates… verapamil attenuated their irregularity,” linking If and Ca2+ handling to the arrhythmic phenotype (URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022; Apr 2024) (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5). - Prolonged PI3K signaling has been reported in HRAS patient fibroblasts, supporting a role for PI3K/AKT axis dysregulation in CS pathogenesis (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33).
Affected cellular processes: Proliferation and differentiation (developmental anomalies), hypertrophic growth and excitation–contraction coupling (HCM, arrhythmias), and oncogenic transformation (tumor predisposition). In atrial cells, increased pacemaker-like lineage fraction, If augmentation, and Ca2+ dysregulation are central (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5).
Key Molecular Players
Anatomical Locations (UBERON): Heart/atrium (CHD, HCM, MAT), skin (papillomata and ectodermal features), urinary bladder (transitional cell carcinoma), cerebellum (postnatal overgrowth/Chiari) (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4).
Biological Processes (GO terms)
Cardiac electrical and calcium-handling processes: regulation of heart rate via pacemaker If current and intracellular calcium ion homeostasis (e.g., GO:0070588), underlying MAT in CS models (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5).
Cellular Components
Plasma membrane signaling complexes (RAS at inner leaflet membranes; receptor-proximal signaling), cytosol and nucleus for ERK/AKT effectors; in cardiomyocytes, sarcolemma ion channels (HCN, Nav1.5, Cav1.2) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ handling machinery represent key locales of dysfunction (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4).
Disease Progression
Oncogenesis: Elevated lifetime risk for embryonal tumors (RMS, NB) and bladder carcinoma emerges from sustained HRAS effector pathway activation (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33).
Phenotypic Manifestations and Statistics
Current applications and real-world implementations - Precision electrophysiology: The HRAS-mutant atrial-like cardiomyocyte model establishes a mechanistic basis for MAT and nominates HCN inhibition (ivabradine), Nav1.5 blockade (flecainide), and L-type Ca2+ channel blockade (verapamil) as rational antiarrhythmic interventions to test clinically in CS-associated tachyarrhythmias (URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022; Apr 2024) (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5). - Targeted pathway inhibition: MEK inhibition (e.g., trametinib) is discussed/considered for severe RASopathy-associated cardiac disease, aligning treatment with RAS/MAPK pathway hyperactivation in CS (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4). - Surveillance protocols: Given tumor predisposition, longitudinal screening (e.g., abdominal/pelvic ultrasound in early childhood; bladder surveillance later) is standard practice in CS management frameworks (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4).
Expert opinions and analysis - Contemporary expert summaries emphasize CS as a prototypic Rasopathy with multisystem involvement driven by HRAS gain-of-function, with prominent cardiac and oncologic risks. Arrhythmia mechanisms are increasingly understood through hiPSC models showing pacemaker-nodal reprogramming and Ca2+ dysregulation. These insights prioritize HCN, Na+ channel, and L-type Ca2+ channel modulators in addition to MAPK-directed therapy for organ-specific complications (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4).
Evidence items with PMIDs/URLs/dates - Rodríguez NA et al. HRAS-mutant cardiomyocyte model of multifocal atrial tachycardia. Circulation: Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology. Apr 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022 (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5). - Gripp KW, Weaver KN. HRAS-related Costello syndrome (GeneReviews-like chapter). 2023. Key statistics and clinical correlations, tumor risk and management principles (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33). - Faienza MF et al. Cardiac phenotype and gene mutations in RASopathies. Genes. Aug 2024;15:1015. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15081015 (faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 7-8).
Gene/protein annotations with ontology terms - HRAS (HGNC:5173): causal gene; pathway: RAS/MAPK (GO:0000165); process: Ras protein signal transduction (GO:0007265); additional effector: PI3K signaling (GO:0014065). Tissues: heart/atrium (UBERON:0000948/0002080), skin (UBERON:0002097), urinary bladder (UBERON:0001255), cerebellum (UBERON:0002037). Phenotypes: HCM (HPO:0001639), multifocal atrial tachycardia (HPO term). Chemicals: trametinib (CHEBI:90698), ivabradine (CHEBI:83587), flecainide (CHEBI:5126), verapamil (CHEBI:9945) (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5).
Phenotype associations (HPO terms) - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HPO:0001639): high prevalence and major morbidity (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 7-8). - Multifocal atrial tachycardia (HPO term): frequent, often early-onset supraventricular arrhythmia linked mechanistically to pacemaker-nodal reprogramming and Ca2+ dysregulation (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4). - Tumor predisposition phenotypes: rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (HPO tumor terms) (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33).
Cell type involvement (CL terms) - Atrial cardiomyocytes with increased pacemaker-like cell fraction; mechanistic basis for arrhythmia in CS (CL term for atrial cardiomyocyte) (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5).
Anatomical locations (UBERON terms) - Heart/atrium (cardiac structural and electrophysiological disease); skin (ectodermal features); urinary bladder (solid tumor predisposition); cerebellum (postnatal overgrowth/Chiari) (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4).
Chemical entities (CHEBI terms) - Trametinib (CHEBI:90698), ivabradine (CHEBI:83587), flecainide (CHEBI:5126), verapamil (CHEBI:9945) (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5).
Recent developments and latest research (2023–2024) - 2024 hiPSC-derived atrial cardiomyocyte modeling established a direct mechanistic link from HRAS gain-of-function to MAT via nodal-like reprogramming and If/Ca2+ dysregulation, and nominated ivabradine, flecainide, and verapamil as rational modulators (Apr 2024; URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022) (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5). - Contemporary reviews consolidate high cardiac burden and provide updated prevalence ranges for HCM and arrhythmias in RASopathies, including CS, underscoring the need for targeted pathway therapies and careful risk stratification (Aug 2024; URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15081015) (faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 7-8). - Expert clinical overviews reaffirm the tumor spectrum and surveillance rationale, as well as the potential role of MAPK pathway inhibition in severe cardiac phenotypes (2023) (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33).
Structured artifact | Category | Entity (standard name) | Ontology ID | Mechanistic/phenotypic role in Costello syndrome | Evidence | |---|---|---|---|---| | Gene | HRAS (HRas proto-oncogene) | HGNC:5173 | Germline gain-of-function HRAS variants cause Costello syndrome; drive developmental defects, tumor predisposition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and supraventricular arrhythmias via RAS pathway dysregulation and prolonged PI3K signaling. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33) | | Pathway | RAS/MAPK cascade | GO:0000165 | Constitutively activated in CS; mediates abnormal cell proliferation/differentiation contributing to cardiac hypertrophy and developmental phenotypes. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33) | | Process | Ras protein signal transduction | GO:0007265 | Upstream signaling node altered by HRAS variants; perturbs downstream MAPK and PI3K/AKT effectors affecting multiple tissues. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33) | | Pathway | PI3K signaling | GO:0014065 | Prolonged/aberrant PI3K/AKT activity reported in patient cells; implicated in oncogenesis and cardiac/myocyte hypertrophic responses. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4) | | Cell program | Atrial cardiomyocyte / pacemaker-like program (cell fate shift) | CL:0002321 (atrial cardiomyocyte) | HRAS-mutant atrial-like cardiomyocytes adopt hybrid atrial/nodal transcriptional program (↑ISL1, TBX3, TBX18) increasing pacemaker-like cells and automaticity. | (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5) | | Process | Calcium handling in cardiomyocytes | GO:0006816 / GO:0070588 | Disrupted intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in HRAS-mutant ACMs contributes to arrhythmic activity and abnormal excitation–contraction coupling. | (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5) | | Anatomy | Heart / atrium | UBERON:0000948 / UBERON:0002080 | Primary organ system affected: congenital heart defects, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and atrial arrhythmias (multifocal atrial tachycardia) are common clinical manifestations. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4) | | Anatomy | Skin | UBERON:0002097 | Ectodermal/cutaneous involvement: papillomata, keratoderma and other skin findings commonly observed in CS. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33) | | Anatomy | Urinary bladder | UBERON:0001255 | Predisposition to transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder reported as part of tumor spectrum in CS. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33) | | Anatomy | Cerebellum | UBERON:0002037 | Postnatal cerebellar overgrowth and Chiari I/hydrocephalus reported; neurodevelopmental involvement linked to HRAS signaling effects. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4) | | Phenotype | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | HPO:0001639 | High prevalence (~60% in some series); major determinant of morbidity/mortality in CS patients. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33) | | Phenotype | Multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) | HPO:— (multifocal atrial tachycardia) | Frequent, treatment-resistant supraventricular arrhythmia of infancy/early childhood in CS; mechanistic link to increased pacemaker-like cells and ↑If current. | (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5) | | Phenotype cluster | Rhabdomyosarcoma; Neuroblastoma; Transitional cell carcinoma | HPO:— (see individual tumor terms) | Tumor predisposition (lifetime risk ~10–15% reported) with early-onset pediatric tumors (RMS, NB) and bladder carcinoma risk. | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 13-14) | | Drug | Trametinib (MEK inhibitor) | CHEBI:90698 | Used compassionately/considered for severe RASopathy-associated cardiac disease (MEK inhibition targets hyperactive MAPK signaling). | (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5) | | Drug | Ivabradine (HCN/If inhibitor) | CHEBI:83587 | Reduces elevated beating rates in HRAS-mutant atrial-like cardiomyocytes by inhibiting funny current; shown to decrease automaticity in cellular model. | (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5) | | Drug | Flecainide (Na+ channel blocker) | CHEBI:5126 | Nav1.5 blockade reduced beating rate in HRAS-mutant ACMs in vitro; evaluated as antiarrhythmic in models/patients. | (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5) | | Drug | Verapamil (L-type Ca2+ channel blocker) | CHEBI:9945 | Attenuated irregularity of beating in HRAS-mutant ACMs by modulating Ca2+ flux; supports role of Ca2+ handling in arrhythmogenesis. | (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5) |
Table: Compact table summarizing core genes, pathways, cell/tissue involvements, phenotypes and drugs relevant to Costello syndrome, with evidence pointers to the gathered sources (pqac IDs). This aids rapid integration into a disease knowledge base with ontology references.
References (with links where available) - Rodríguez NA, Patel N, Dariolli R, et al. HRAS-mutant cardiomyocyte model of multifocal atrial tachycardia. Circulation: Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology. Apr 2024. https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022 (rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3, rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5). - Gripp KW, Weaver KN. HRAS-related Costello syndrome. 2023. Summary of epidemiology, phenotype, tumor risk, and management (gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4, gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33). - Faienza MF, Meliota G, Mentino D, et al. Cardiac phenotype and gene mutations in RASopathies. Genes. Aug 2024;15:1015. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15081015 (faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4, faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 7-8).
References
(gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 1-4): KW Gripp and KN Weaver. Hras-related costello syndrome. Unknown journal, 2023.
(gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 31-33): KW Gripp and KN Weaver. Hras-related costello syndrome. Unknown journal, 2023.
(faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 2-4): Maria Felicia Faienza, Giovanni Meliota, Donatella Mentino, Romina Ficarella, Mattia Gentile, Ugo Vairo, and Gabriele D’amato. Cardiac phenotype and gene mutations in rasopathies. Genes, 15:1015, Aug 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15081015, doi:10.3390/genes15081015. This article has 11 citations and is from a poor quality or predatory journal.
(rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 1-3): Nelson A. Rodríguez, Nihir Patel, Rafael Dariolli, Simon Ng, Angelika G. Aleman, Jingqi Q.X. Gong, Hung-Mo Lin, Matthew Rodríguez, Rebecca Josowitz, Katia Sol-Church, Karen W. Gripp, Xianming Lin, Soomin C. Song, Glenn I. Fishman, Eric A. Sobie, and Bruce D. Gelb. hras -mutant cardiomyocyte model of multifocal atrial tachycardia. Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Apr 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022, doi:10.1161/circep.123.012022. This article has 2 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
(rodriguez2024hrasmutantcardiomyocyte pages 3-5): Nelson A. Rodríguez, Nihir Patel, Rafael Dariolli, Simon Ng, Angelika G. Aleman, Jingqi Q.X. Gong, Hung-Mo Lin, Matthew Rodríguez, Rebecca Josowitz, Katia Sol-Church, Karen W. Gripp, Xianming Lin, Soomin C. Song, Glenn I. Fishman, Eric A. Sobie, and Bruce D. Gelb. hras -mutant cardiomyocyte model of multifocal atrial tachycardia. Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Apr 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/circep.123.012022, doi:10.1161/circep.123.012022. This article has 2 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
(gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 6-8): KW Gripp and KN Weaver. Hras-related costello syndrome. Unknown journal, 2023.
(faienza2024cardiacphenotypeand pages 7-8): Maria Felicia Faienza, Giovanni Meliota, Donatella Mentino, Romina Ficarella, Mattia Gentile, Ugo Vairo, and Gabriele D’amato. Cardiac phenotype and gene mutations in rasopathies. Genes, 15:1015, Aug 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15081015, doi:10.3390/genes15081015. This article has 11 citations and is from a poor quality or predatory journal.
(gripp2023hrasrelatedcostellosyndrome pages 13-14): KW Gripp and KN Weaver. Hras-related costello syndrome. Unknown journal, 2023.
name: Costello Syndrome
creation_date: '2026-02-06T03:39:54Z'
updated_date: '2026-03-31T21:13:56Z'
category: Mendelian
description: >
Costello syndrome is a RASopathy caused by heterozygous germline gain-of-function
mutations in HRAS, characterized by failure to thrive in infancy, distinctive
coarse facial features, intellectual disability, cardiac abnormalities (hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias), skeletal abnormalities (joint laxity, ulnar deviation),
and a predisposition to malignancies (rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, bladder
carcinoma). The syndrome results from constitutive activation of the RAS-MAPK
signaling pathway, with additional evidence for altered mitochondrial proteostasis,
defective oxidative phosphorylation, and broader bioenergetic dysfunction in
Costello syndrome model systems.
disease_term:
preferred_term: Costello syndrome
term:
id: MONDO:0009026
label: Costello syndrome
parents:
- RASopathies
prevalence:
- population: Japanese nationwide survey
percentage: 1 in 1,290,000
notes: >-
A nationwide Japanese epidemiological survey estimated a minimum prevalence
of about 1 in 1,290,000 individuals. Other clinical review literature cites
an estimated prevalence around 1 in 300,000, suggesting ascertainment and
population differences rather than a single settled global figure.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22495831
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "The prevalences of Costello and CFC syndromes are estimated to be 1 in 1,290,000 and 1 in 810,000 individuals, respectively."
explanation: This nationwide Japanese epidemiological survey directly reports the estimated prevalence of Costello syndrome.
- reference: PMID:36268718
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: "Costello syndrome (CS) is a rare genetic condition caused by a heterozygous mutation in the HRAS gene, with an estimated prevalence of 1: 300 000."
explanation: This contemporary clinical series provides an independent literature-based prevalence estimate showing the broader reported range.
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal Dominant
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: Autosomal dominant inheritance
term:
id: HP:0000006
label: Autosomal dominant inheritance
description: >
Autosomal dominant inheritance. Nearly all cases arise de novo due to
severe phenotype limiting reproductive fitness, and the pathogenic variant
arises predominantly in the paternal germline.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
GENETIC COUNSELING: Costello syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder
typically caused by a de novo pathogenic variant.
explanation: >-
GeneReviews directly supports autosomal dominant inheritance with
predominant de novo occurrence in Costello syndrome.
- reference: PMID:16443854
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Analysis of parental DNA samples was possible in 16 cases for both
parents and in three cases for one parent, and confirmed the mutations as
de novo in all of these cases.
explanation: >-
This cohort study provides direct human evidence that Costello syndrome
HRAS mutations are usually de novo.
- reference: PMID:21438134
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
De novo origin of the missense mutation was documented in eight families,
and occurred in the paternal germline in all five informative trios.
explanation: >-
This Costello syndrome cohort provides direct evidence for paternal
germline bias among informative de novo HRAS cases.
progression:
- phase: Prenatal and perinatal presentation
age_range: fetal life to neonatal period
notes: >-
Costello syndrome can begin before birth with polyhydramnios and fetal
overgrowth-related complications, followed by early multisystem neonatal
manifestations.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21438134
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The individuals with p.G13C had many typical findings including
polyhydramnios, failure-to-thrive, HCM, macrocephaly with posterior
fossa crowding, and developmental delay.
explanation: >-
Although this cohort focuses on HRAS p.G13C, it explicitly describes
polyhydramnios and early multisystem findings as typical Costello
syndrome manifestations, supporting a prenatal/perinatal disease phase.
- phase: Infant feeding and growth failure phase
age_range: infancy
notes: >-
Severe postnatal feeding difficulty dominates early life and commonly
requires tube feeding, contributing to failure to thrive and subsequent
short stature.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Failure to thrive is the most common and challenging clinical problem;
most infants require nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding, and many
require Nissen fundoplication.
explanation: >-
Updated GeneReviews supports a characteristic infancy phase dominated by
feeding failure and growth impairment.
- phase: Early childhood arrhythmia phase
age_range: early childhood
notes: >-
Treatment-resistant atrial tachyarrhythmia is a distinctive early-childhood
complication and reflects disease-specific atrial cardiomyocyte
reprogramming.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38415356
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
During early childhood, 50% of patients develop multifocal atrial
tachycardia, a treatment-resistant tachyarrhythmia of unknown
pathogenesis.
explanation: >-
This directly supports an early-childhood cardiac rhythm phase in the
natural history of Costello syndrome.
- phase: Lifelong tumor-risk surveillance phase
age_range: childhood through adulthood
notes: >-
Embryonal tumor risk is highest in childhood, whereas bladder carcinoma
risk extends into adolescence and adulthood, requiring age-specific
surveillance.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Individuals with Costello syndrome have an approximately 15% lifetime
risk for malignant tumors including rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma
in young children and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in
adolescents and young adults.
explanation: >-
GeneReviews supports a prolonged progression phase in which tumor risk
persists but changes in composition with age.
pathophysiology:
- name: Germline HRAS gain-of-function mutation
description: >
Heterozygous germline activating variants in HRAS initiate Costello
syndrome and create the constitutive signaling state that drives its
multisystem phenotype.
gene:
preferred_term: HRAS
term:
id: hgnc:5173
label: HRAS
downstream:
- target: Constitutive HRAS signaling
description: Activating HRAS variants establish persistent downstream Ras pathway activity.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:16443854
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
These results confirm that CS is caused, in most cases, by heterozygous
missense mutations in the proto-oncogene HRAS.
explanation: >-
This cohort study establishes germline HRAS mutation as the initiating
lesion in Costello syndrome.
- name: Constitutive HRAS signaling
description: >
Mutant HRAS remains aberrantly active and persistently engages downstream
Ras effector programs, creating a shared upstream driver for cardiac,
metabolic, connective tissue, developmental, and oncogenic abnormalities.
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: Ras protein signal transduction
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: GO:0007265
label: Ras protein signal transduction
- preferred_term: MAPK cascade
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: GO:0000165
label: MAPK cascade
downstream:
- target: Cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction
description: Persistent HRAS activation perturbs AMPK-linked mitochondrial homeostasis in cardiac tissues.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- inhibition of AMPK signaling
- altered mitochondrial proteostasis
- target: Atrial cardiomyocyte pacemaker-nodal transcriptional reprogramming
description: Overactive HRAS redirects atrial cardiomyocyte identity toward a nodal-like program.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
- target: Fibroblast metabolic rewiring and increased energetic expenditure
description: Hyperactive HRAS drives abnormal glucose handling, autophagic flux, and energetic inefficiency in patient fibroblasts.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- reactive oxygen species-dependent signaling
- altered GLUT4 trafficking
- p38 and PI3K pathway dysregulation
- target: Impaired fibroblast elastogenesis
description: Disease fibroblasts show defective extracellular matrix assembly compatible with an HRAS-linked connective tissue mechanism.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_UNKNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
- target: Dysregulated neural progenitor development
description: Persistent HRAS pathway activation disrupts the balance of neurogenesis and gliogenesis during brain development.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- altered neural stem cell proliferation
- abnormal neurogenesis-to-gliogenesis transition
- target: Tumor Predisposition
description: Constitutive oncogenic HRAS signaling creates lifelong neoplastic susceptibility.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:35230976
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Germline mutations that activate genes in the canonical RAS/MAPK
signaling pathway are responsible for rare human developmental disorders
known as RASopathies.
explanation: >-
This mixed-model study supports pathway activation as the shared upstream
pathogenic framework for Costello syndrome.
- name: Cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction
description: >
Costello syndrome models show impaired mitochondrial proteostasis and
oxidative phosphorylation in cardiac tissue, indicating that the disease is
not solely a surface signaling disorder but also a bioenergetic one.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: cardiomyocyte
term:
id: CL:0000746
label: cardiac muscle cell
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: oxidative phosphorylation
modifier: DECREASED
term:
id: GO:0006119
label: oxidative phosphorylation
downstream:
- target: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
description: Cardiac bioenergetic stress and impaired mitochondrial homeostasis contribute to ventricular hypertrophic remodeling.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- impaired mitochondrial proteostasis
- reduced cardiac energetic efficiency
evidence:
- reference: PMID:35230976
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
Pharmacological activation of mitochondrial bioenergetics and quality
control restored organelle function in HRAS p.G12A and p.G12S cell
models, reduced left ventricle hypertrophy in CS mice, and diminished
the occurrence of developmental defects in the CS zebrafish model.
explanation: >-
Improvement of mitochondrial function reducing ventricular hypertrophy
supports a causal link between bioenergetic dysfunction and cardiac
hypertrophy in Costello syndrome.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:35230976
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
The findings revealed alteration of mitochondrial proteostasis and
defective oxidative phosphorylation in the heart and skeletal muscle of
CS mice that were also found in the cell models of the disease. The
underpinning mechanisms involved the inhibition of the AMPK signaling
pathway by mutant forms of HRAS, leading to alteration of mitochondrial
proteostasis and bioenergetics.
explanation: >-
This Asta-linked study directly supports a discrete cardiac and muscular
bioenergetic mechanism downstream of mutant HRAS.
- name: Atrial cardiomyocyte pacemaker-nodal transcriptional reprogramming
description: >
HRAS-mutant atrial-like cardiomyocytes acquire a pacemaker-nodal-like gene
expression program, including increased ISL1, TBX3, and TBX18 expression,
shifting atrial cells toward an arrhythmogenic identity state.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Atrial Cardiomyocyte
term:
id: CL:0002129
label: regular atrial cardiac myocyte
downstream:
- target: Enhanced automaticity and funny current in atrial cardiomyocytes
description: Nodal-like transcriptional reprogramming increases pacemaker-like electrophysiology in atrial cells.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38415356
reference_title: "HRAS-Mutant Cardiomyocyte Model of Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Mutant ACMs demonstrated elevated gene expression (ie, ISL1, TBX3,
TBX18) related to intracellular calcium homeostasis, heart rate, RAS
signaling, and induction of pacemaker-nodal-like transcriptional
programming.
explanation: >-
This human iPSC-derived atrial cardiomyocyte model directly supports a
discrete transcriptional reprogramming step in Costello syndrome
arrhythmogenesis.
- name: Enhanced automaticity and funny current in atrial cardiomyocytes
description: >
Reprogrammed HRAS-mutant atrial cardiomyocytes beat faster, contain more
pacemaker-like cells, and show elevated funny current density, providing the
proximate electrophysiologic substrate for tachyarrhythmia.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Atrial Cardiomyocyte
term:
id: CL:0002129
label: regular atrial cardiac myocyte
downstream:
- target: Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
description: Increased atrial automaticity and pacemaker-like activity manifest clinically as multifocal atrial tachycardia.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38415356
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
CS-associated gain-of-function HRASG12 mutations in induced pluripotent
stem cells-derived ACMs trigger transcriptional changes associated with
enhanced automaticity and arrhythmic activity consistent with
multifocal atrial tachycardia.
explanation: >-
This directly links altered automaticity in HRAS-mutant atrial
cardiomyocytes to the Costello syndrome MAT phenotype.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38415356
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Electrophysiological assessment revealed an increased number of
pacemaker-like cells with elevated funny current densities among mutant
ACMs.
explanation: >-
The iPSC atrial cardiomyocyte study identifies the electrophysiologic
substrate immediately upstream of MAT.
- name: Fibroblast metabolic rewiring and increased energetic expenditure
description: >
Patient fibroblasts show HRAS-driven metabolic dysregulation with abnormal
glucose transporter activation, accelerated glycolysis, increased fatty acid
synthesis and storage, and accelerated autophagic flux, together consistent
with increased resting energetic expenditure.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Fibroblast
term:
id: CL:0000057
label: fibroblast
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: glycolytic process
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: GO:0006096
label: glycolytic process
- preferred_term: autophagy
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: GO:0006914
label: autophagy
- preferred_term: fatty acid biosynthetic process
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: GO:0006633
label: fatty acid biosynthetic process
downstream:
- target: Failure to Thrive
description: Increased energetic expenditure despite adequate intake contributes to poor weight gain.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- increased resting energetic expenditure
- target: Short Stature
description: Chronic inefficiency of growth-supporting metabolism contributes to postnatal growth deficiency.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- persistent growth-energy mismatch
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34508588
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
In CS, poor weight gain and growth are not caused by low caloric intake.
Here, we show that constitutive plasma membrane translocation and
activation of the GLUT4 glucose transporter, via reactive oxygen
species-dependent AMP-activated protein kinase α and p38 hyperactivation,
occurs in primary fibroblasts of CS patients, resulting in accelerated
glycolysis and increased fatty acid synthesis and storage as lipid
droplets. An accelerated autophagic flux was also identified as
contributing to the increased energetic expenditure in CS.
explanation: >-
This patient fibroblast study directly supports a distinct metabolic
disease mechanism explaining the disproportionate growth failure of
Costello syndrome.
- name: Impaired fibroblast elastogenesis
description: >
Costello syndrome fibroblasts fail to assemble elastic fibers efficiently,
consistent with a connective tissue mechanism involving reduced elastin
deposition and abnormal extracellular matrix organization.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Fibroblast
term:
id: CL:0000057
label: fibroblast
downstream:
- target: Coarse Facial Features
description: Abnormal extracellular matrix assembly likely contributes to the characteristic connective tissue component of facial dysmorphology.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- reduced elastic fiber assembly
- altered connective tissue architecture
- target: Joint Hypermobility
description: Reduced elastogenesis provides a plausible connective tissue basis for ligamentous laxity.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- reduced elastic fiber assembly
- altered connective tissue elasticity
evidence:
- reference: PMID:10712202
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
We found that impaired production of elastic fibers by these fibroblasts
is associated with a functional deficiency of the 67-kD elastin-binding
protein (EBP), which is normally required to chaperone tropoelastin
through the secretory pathways and to its extracellular assembly.
explanation: >-
This patient skin fibroblast study supports a specific extracellular
matrix defect that plausibly underlies connective tissue manifestations in
Costello syndrome.
- name: Dysregulated neural progenitor development
description: >
HRAS activation alters the normal balance of neural progenitor expansion,
cortical neuron production, and gliogenesis, providing a mechanistic basis
for neurodevelopmental impairment.
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: neurogenesis
modifier: DYSREGULATED
term:
id: GO:0022008
label: neurogenesis
- preferred_term: glial cell differentiation
modifier: DYSREGULATED
term:
id: GO:0010001
label: glial cell differentiation
downstream:
- target: Intellectual Disability
description: Abnormal cortical development and neuroglial imbalance contribute to persistent cognitive impairment.
causal_link_type: INDIRECT_KNOWN_INTERMEDIATES
intermediate_mechanisms:
- altered cortical neuron production
- abnormal neurogenesis-to-gliogenesis balance
evidence:
- reference: PMID:31250618
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from Costello syndrome
showed increased production of cortical neurons associated with extended
progenitor phase (Rooney et al., 2016).
explanation: >-
This review cites disease-relevant iPSC evidence that Costello syndrome
disrupts early cortical developmental programs.
- reference: PMID:31250618
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
During transition from neurogenesis to gliogenesis, Paquin et al. (2009)
showed that variants found in Costello syndrome suppress neurogenesis but
promote astrogenesis.
explanation: >-
This supports a second discrete developmental mechanism involving an
abnormal neurogenesis-gliogenesis switch in Costello syndrome.
- name: Tumor Predisposition
description: >
The same activating HRAS signaling architecture that causes developmental
disease also creates susceptibility to embryonal and later-onset malignant
neoplasms.
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: regulation of cell cycle
modifier: DYSREGULATED
term:
id: GO:0051726
label: regulation of cell cycle
- preferred_term: cell population proliferation
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: GO:0008283
label: cell population proliferation
downstream:
- target: Predisposition to Malignancy
description: Persistent oncogenic HRAS signaling manifests clinically as increased tumor risk.
causal_link_type: DIRECT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Individuals with Costello syndrome have an approximately 15% lifetime
risk for malignant tumors including rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma
in young children and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in
adolescents and young adults.
explanation: >-
GeneReviews supports a dedicated neoplasia-predisposition branch within
the Costello syndrome causal graph.
genetic:
- name: HRAS Mutations
association: Causative
gene_term:
preferred_term: HRAS
term:
id: hgnc:5173
label: HRAS
notes: >
Heterozygous germline mutations in HRAS cause Costello syndrome. The most
common mutation is p.Gly12Ser (~80% of cases), followed by p.Gly12Ala and
p.Gly13Cys. These mutations affect the GTPase activity of HRAS, keeping
it in the active GTP-bound state. Somatic mosaicism can cause milder phenotypes.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:16443854
reference_title: "Genotype-phenotype correlation in Costello syndrome: HRAS mutation analysis in 43 cases."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
These results confirm that CS is caused, in most cases, by heterozygous
missense mutations in the proto-oncogene HRAS.
explanation: >-
Large genotype-phenotype study of 43 Costello syndrome cases confirming
HRAS as the causative gene.
phenotypes:
- name: Failure to Thrive
description: >
Severe feeding difficulties and failure to thrive in infancy, often
requiring tube feeding.
frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Failure to thrive
term:
id: HP:0001508
label: Failure to thrive
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Costello syndrome is typically characterized by failure to thrive in
infancy as a result of severe postnatal feeding difficulties;
explanation: >-
GeneReviews identifies failure to thrive from severe feeding difficulty as
a typical early clinical feature of HRAS-related Costello syndrome.
- reference: PMID:34508588
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
In CS, poor weight gain and growth are not caused by low caloric intake.
Here, we show that constitutive plasma membrane translocation and
activation of the GLUT4 glucose transporter, via reactive oxygen
species-dependent AMP-activated protein kinase α and p38 hyperactivation,
occurs in primary fibroblasts of CS patients, resulting in accelerated
glycolysis and increased fatty acid synthesis and storage as lipid
droplets.
explanation: >-
Patient fibroblast study expands the mechanistic basis of growth failure
by showing increased energetic expenditure and dysregulated metabolism in
Costello syndrome.
- name: Coarse Facial Features
description: >
Distinctive craniofacial appearance with coarse features, full lips,
large mouth, and depressed nasal bridge.
frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Coarse facial features
term:
id: HP:0000280
label: Coarse facial features
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Costello syndrome is typically characterized by failure to thrive in
infancy as a result of severe postnatal feeding difficulties; short
stature; developmental delay or intellectual disability; coarse facial
features (full lips, large mouth, full nasal tip);
explanation: >-
Updated GeneReviews description supports coarse facial features as a
characteristic and typically present dysmorphic feature of Costello
syndrome.
- name: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
description: >
Cardiac involvement is common, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a major
cause of morbidity in Costello syndrome.
frequency: FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
term:
id: HP:0001639
label: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
evidence:
- reference: PMID:12210337
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Cardiac hypertrophy was reported in 34%, which involved the left ventricle
in 50% and was usually consistent with classic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
(HCM).
explanation: >-
Pooled clinical cohort data confirm hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as a
frequent cardiac manifestation of Costello syndrome.
- name: Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia
description: >
During early childhood, approximately 50% of patients develop multifocal
atrial tachycardia (MAT), a treatment-resistant tachyarrhythmia caused by
HRAS-driven pacemaker-nodal transcriptional reprogramming in atrial
cardiomyocytes.
frequency: FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Multifocal atrial tachycardia
term:
id: HP:0011701
label: Multifocal atrial tachycardia
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38415356
reference_title: "HRAS-Mutant Cardiomyocyte Model of Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
During early childhood, 50% of patients develop multifocal atrial
tachycardia, a treatment-resistant tachyarrhythmia of unknown pathogenesis.
explanation: >-
Establishes 50% prevalence of MAT in Costello syndrome patients,
occurring in early childhood as a treatment-resistant arrhythmia.
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
and arrhythmia (usually supraventricular tachycardia, especially abnormal
atrial rhythm / multifocal atrial tachycardia or ectopic atrial
tachycardia).
explanation: >-
GeneReviews supports multifocal atrial tachycardia as the characteristic
Costello syndrome arrhythmia phenotype.
- name: Short Stature
description: >
Postnatal growth deficiency leading to short stature.
frequency: VERY_FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Short stature
term:
id: HP:0004322
label: Short stature
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Costello syndrome is typically characterized by failure to thrive in
infancy as a result of severe postnatal feeding difficulties; short
stature;
explanation: >-
GeneReviews identifies short stature as a typical component of the core
Costello syndrome phenotype.
- name: Intellectual Disability
description: >
Variable intellectual disability, typically mild to moderate.
frequency: FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Intellectual disability
term:
id: HP:0001249
label: Intellectual disability
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22495831
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
An evaluation of 15 adult patients 18-32 years of age revealed that 12
had moderate to severe intellectual disability and most live at home
without constant medical care.
explanation: >-
Nationwide survey data support intellectual disability as a frequent
long-term neurodevelopmental manifestation of Costello syndrome.
- name: Joint Hypermobility
description: >
Joint laxity affecting multiple joints.
frequency: FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Joint hypermobility
term:
id: HP:0001382
label: Joint hypermobility
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
diffuse hypotonia and joint laxity with ulnar deviation of the wrists and
fingers; tight Achilles tendons;
explanation: >-
GeneReviews identifies diffuse joint laxity as part of the characteristic
musculoskeletal phenotype of Costello syndrome.
- name: Ulnar Deviation of Hands
description: >
Characteristic ulnar deviation of the hands.
frequency: FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Ulnar deviation of the hand
term:
id: HP:0001193
label: Ulnar deviation of the hand or of fingers of the hand
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
diffuse hypotonia and joint laxity with ulnar deviation of the wrists and
fingers; tight Achilles tendons;
explanation: >-
GeneReviews supports ulnar deviation of the wrists and fingers as a
characteristic orthopedic feature of Costello syndrome.
- name: Papillomata
description: >
Development of papillomata, particularly around the nose and mouth.
frequency: FREQUENT
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Papilloma
term:
id: HP:0012740
label: Papilloma
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
papillomata of the face and perianal region;
explanation: >-
GeneReviews supports papillomata as a typical ectodermal manifestation,
especially affecting the face and perianal region.
- name: Predisposition to Malignancy
description: >
Increased risk of malignancies including rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma,
and bladder carcinoma. Lifetime cancer risk estimated at 15-17%.
frequency: OCCASIONAL
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Neoplasm
term:
id: HP:0002664
label: Neoplasm
evidence:
- reference: PMID:16443854
reference_title: "Genotype-phenotype correlation in Costello syndrome: HRAS mutation analysis in 43 cases."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Individuals with CS have an increased risk of malignancy, suggested to
be about 17%.
explanation: >-
Establishes the approximately 17% lifetime malignancy risk in Costello syndrome.
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Individuals with Costello syndrome have an approximately 15% lifetime
risk for malignant tumors including rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma in
young children and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in
adolescents and young adults.
explanation: >-
Updated GeneReviews summary independently supports occasional but
clinically important malignancy risk in Costello syndrome.
treatments:
- name: Cardiac Monitoring
description: >
Regular cardiac surveillance for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: serial echocardiographic and electrocardiographic cardiac surveillance
term:
id: MAXO:0000003
label: diagnostic procedure
notes: >-
MAXO currently maps this entry to the generic parent term diagnostic
procedure; the preferred term qualifies the intended surveillance bundle.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
echocardiography with electrocardiogram at the time of diagnosis with
subsequent follow up by a cardiologist;
explanation: >-
GeneReviews recommends serial cardiac surveillance with echocardiography
and electrocardiography in HRAS-related Costello syndrome.
- name: Tumor Surveillance
description: >
Regular screening for embryonal tumors, particularly in childhood.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: age-stratified embryonal tumor and bladder cancer surveillance
term:
id: MAXO:0000126
label: cancer screening
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
abdominal and pelvic ultrasound examinations to screen for
rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma every three to six months until age
eight to ten years may be considered; annual urinalysis for evidence of
hematuria to screen for bladder cancer beginning at age ten years.
explanation: >-
Updated GeneReviews surveillance guidance supports tumor screening in
childhood and bladder cancer surveillance later in life.
- name: MEK Inhibitor Therapy
description: >
MEK inhibitors such as trametinib are used as pathway-targeted therapy for
refractory hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with heart failure and are being
investigated more broadly as precision therapy for RASopathies.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: trametinib-class MEK inhibitor pharmacotherapy
term:
id: MAXO:0000058
label: pharmacotherapy
notes: >-
MAXO provides a generic pharmacotherapy term here; the preferred term
clarifies that this entry refers specifically to MEK-pathway inhibition.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
Targeted therapy: Trametinib (MEK inhibitor) for treatment of
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with heart failure that is refractory to
standard treatment.
explanation: >-
Updated GeneReviews documents trametinib as a targeted option for severe
Costello syndrome cardiomyopathy refractory to standard management.
diagnosis:
- name: Molecular genetic testing
description: >-
Molecular confirmation of a heterozygous pathogenic HRAS variant is central
to establishing the diagnosis and separating Costello syndrome from other
clinically overlapping RASopathies.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: HRAS-focused molecular genetic testing
term:
id: MAXO:0000533
label: molecular genetic testing
notes: >-
The ontology term is generic; the preferred term specifies that diagnostic
confirmation is centered on pathogenic HRAS variant detection.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
The diagnosis of Costello syndrome is established in a proband with
suggestive clinical findings and a heterozygous HRAS pathogenic variant
identified by molecular genetic testing.
explanation: >-
Updated GeneReviews directly supports molecular testing as the diagnostic
confirmation step for Costello syndrome.
- name: Echocardiography with electrocardiography
description: >-
Baseline cardiac evaluation is required to detect structural heart disease,
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmia at the time of diagnosis.
diagnosis_term:
preferred_term: echocardiography with electrocardiography
term:
id: MAXO:0010203
label: echocardiography
notes: >-
MAXO supplies echocardiography as the nearest term; the preferred term
qualifies that electrocardiography is paired with the imaging assessment.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:20301680
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: OTHER
snippet: >-
echocardiography with electrocardiogram at the time of diagnosis with
subsequent follow up by a cardiologist;
explanation: >-
GeneReviews supports echocardiography plus ECG as core diagnostic
assessment for the cardiac manifestations of Costello syndrome.
differential_diagnoses:
- name: Noonan syndrome
disease_term:
preferred_term: Noonan syndrome
term:
id: MONDO:0018997
label: Noonan syndrome
description: >-
Noonan syndrome is a closely related RASopathy with overlapping prenatal,
craniofacial, growth, developmental, and cardiac findings that can resemble
Costello syndrome, especially in attenuated HRAS-associated presentations.
distinguishing_features:
- HRAS pathogenic variants, papillomata, deep palmar and plantar creases, and stronger tumor predisposition favor Costello syndrome over Noonan syndrome.
- PTPN11, SOS1, RAF1, RIT1, or other non-HRAS RASopathy genotypes favor Noonan syndrome.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21438134
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
the overall impression reported by experienced clinical geneticists is
different from Costello syndrome due to p.G12S and may suggest a
diagnosis of Noonan syndrome.
explanation: >-
This genotype-phenotype analysis directly documents that some Costello
syndrome presentations can be mistaken clinically for Noonan syndrome.
- name: Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome
disease_term:
preferred_term: cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome
term:
id: MONDO:0015280
label: cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome
description: >-
Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome is another RASopathy with shared facial,
neurodevelopmental, and cardiac features that often enters the molecular
differential for Costello syndrome.
distinguishing_features:
- HRAS variants support Costello syndrome, whereas BRAF, KRAS, and MAP2K1/2 variants support cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome.
- Papillomata and characteristic tumor predisposition are more aligned with Costello syndrome than with classic cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:22495831
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Costello syndrome and cardio-facio-cutaneous (CFC) syndrome are
congenital anomaly syndromes characterized by a distinctive facial
appearance, heart defects, and intellectual disability.
explanation: >-
This nationwide survey directly supports CFC syndrome as a clinically
overlapping RASopathy differential for Costello syndrome.
experimental_models:
- name: Costello syndrome atrial-like cardiomyocyte model
description: >-
Human Costello syndrome induced pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial-like
cardiomyocytes, including patient-derived and engineered HRAS Gly12 models,
used to study disease-specific arrhythmogenesis.
experimental_model_type: IPSC_DERIVED_MODEL
organism:
preferred_term: human
term:
id: NCBITaxon:9606
label: Homo sapiens
tissue_term:
preferred_term: heart
term:
id: UBERON:0000948
label: heart
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Atrial Cardiomyocyte
term:
id: CL:0002129
label: regular atrial cardiac myocyte
conditions:
- Costello syndrome
- HRAS Gly12 variants
- tachyarrhythmia
cell_source: Patient-derived and engineered induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated into atrial-like cardiomyocytes
culture_system: Two-dimensional iPSC-derived atrial cardiomyocyte culture with electrophysiology and transcriptomic profiling
publication: PMID:38415356
findings:
- statement: HRAS-mutant atrial-like cardiomyocytes recapitulate pacemaker-like reprogramming and arrhythmogenic automaticity underlying Costello syndrome MAT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38415356
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
This is the first human-induced pluripotent stem cell model
establishing the mechanistic basis for multifocal atrial tachycardia
in CS.
explanation: >-
This directly supports the model as a disease-relevant mechanistic
platform for Costello syndrome arrhythmia.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:38415356
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
This study investigated how overactive HRAS activity triggers
arrhythmogenesis in atrial-like cardiomyocytes (ACMs) derived from
human-induced pluripotent stem cells bearing CS-associated HRAS variants.
explanation: >-
This publication establishes a first-class human cardiac disease model
for Costello syndrome.
- name: Costello syndrome patient fibroblast models
description: >-
Primary fibroblast cultures derived from individuals with Costello syndrome
used to study disease-specific metabolic dysregulation and extracellular
matrix defects.
experimental_model_type: PRIMARY_CELL_CULTURE
organism:
preferred_term: human
term:
id: NCBITaxon:9606
label: Homo sapiens
cell_types:
- preferred_term: Fibroblast
term:
id: CL:0000057
label: fibroblast
conditions:
- Costello syndrome
cell_source: Primary patient-derived skin fibroblasts
culture_system: Two-dimensional fibroblast culture with metabolic and extracellular matrix assays
publication: PMID:34508588
findings:
- statement: Costello syndrome fibroblasts show increased energetic expenditure with accelerated glycolysis, lipid storage, and autophagic flux
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34508588
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Our findings provide a mechanistic link between upregulated HRAS
function, defective growth and increased resting energetic expenditure
in CS, and document that targeting p38 and PI3K signaling is able to
revert this metabolic dysfunction.
explanation: >-
This supports fibroblast models as a translational system for Costello
syndrome metabolic dysfunction.
- statement: Costello syndrome fibroblasts fail to assemble elastic fibers efficiently and reveal a connective tissue disease mechanism
evidence:
- reference: PMID:10712202
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
cultured skin fibroblasts obtained from patients with Costello syndrome
did not assemble elastic fibers, despite an adequate synthesis of
tropoelastin and normal deposition of the microfibrillar scaffold.
explanation: >-
This supports patient fibroblast culture as a mechanism-bearing model
for the connective tissue component of Costello syndrome.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34508588
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Here, we show that constitutive plasma membrane translocation and
activation of the GLUT4 glucose transporter, via reactive oxygen
species-dependent AMP-activated protein kinase α and p38 hyperactivation,
occurs in primary fibroblasts of CS patients,
explanation: >-
This establishes primary patient fibroblasts as a validated Costello
syndrome metabolic model system.
datasets:
- accession: geo:GSE64194
title: Expression data to investigate Costello syndrome using human iPSCs differentiated into astroglial progenitors and astrocytes
description: >-
Human microarray dataset comparing HRAS-mutant and HRAS-wild-type
pluripotent stem cell-derived astroglial progenitors and astrocytes to
define neuroglial extracellular-matrix and maturation abnormalities in
Costello syndrome.
organism:
preferred_term: human
term:
id: NCBITaxon:9606
label: Homo sapiens
data_type: MICROARRAY
sample_types:
- preferred_term: iPSC-derived astroglial progenitor
- preferred_term: iPSC-derived astrocyte
sample_count: 9
conditions:
- Costello syndrome HRAS-mutant astroglial lineage
- HRAS-wild-type control astroglial lineage
publication: PMID:25947161
evidence:
- reference: PMID:25947161
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Human iPSCs derived from patients with Costello syndrome differentiated
to astroglia more rapidly in vitro than those derived from wild-type cell
lines with normal HRAS, exhibited hyperplasia, and also generated an
abundance of extracellular matrix remodeling factors and proteoglycans.
explanation: >-
This publication-linked GEO series is a direct human-cell transcriptomic
resource for Costello syndrome astroglial pathology.
- accession: geo:GSE187493
title: Transcriptome analysis of skeletal muscle tissue from Hras G12V mutant mice
description: >-
Mouse bulk RNA-seq dataset profiling skeletal muscle from an activating
Hras Costello syndrome model to define transcriptional programs associated
with myopathy, hypotonia, and MAPK-driven rescue biology.
organism:
preferred_term: house mouse
term:
id: NCBITaxon:10090
label: Mus musculus
data_type: BULK_RNA_SEQ
sample_types:
- preferred_term: skeletal muscle tissue
tissue_term:
preferred_term: skeletal muscle tissue
term:
id: UBERON:0001134
label: skeletal muscle tissue
sample_count: 6
conditions:
- HrasG12V Costello syndrome mouse model
- wild-type skeletal muscle control
publication: PMID:34553752
evidence:
- reference: PMID:34553752
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying hypotonia in
CS, a mouse model with an activating HrasG12V allele was utilized.
explanation: >-
This study anchors the linked GEO RNA-seq dataset as a mechanistically
relevant model-organism resource for Costello syndrome muscle pathology.
clinical_trials:
- name: NCT04888936
phase: NOT_APPLICABLE
status: RECRUITING
description: >-
Ongoing NIH natural-history and biospecimen study of children and adults
with RASopathies, including Costello syndrome, designed to quantify cancer
incidence and longitudinal non-tumor manifestations.
evidence:
- reference: clinicaltrials:NCT04888936
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Objective: To learn more about RASopathies, how genes and environmental
factors contribute to cancer development in people with RASopathies, and
the best way to find these cancers and other conditions early or prevent
them.
explanation: >-
ClinicalTrials.gov directly documents an actively recruiting natural
history cohort relevant to Costello syndrome cancer risk and longitudinal
phenotyping.
- name: NCT05761314
phase: NOT_APPLICABLE
status: RECRUITING
description: >-
Recruiting interventional diagnostic study of solid-tumor prevalence and
tumor molecular characterization across RASopathies including Costello
syndrome.
evidence:
- reference: clinicaltrials:NCT05761314
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Based on evidences provided by literature, cancer screening protocols are
applied in some individuals affected by RASopathies, even though detailed
information about prevalence and molecular pathogenesis of such tumors is
still not clearly elucidate.
explanation: >-
This registry entry supports a currently recruiting study directly tied to
Costello syndrome tumor surveillance and tumor biology.
- name: NCT06355622
phase: NOT_APPLICABLE
status: UNKNOWN
description: >-
Costello-inclusive RASopathy study assessing the prevalence and
characterization of pain using questionnaires, biomarkers, and
neurophysiologic testing; ClinicalTrials.gov listed overall status as
unknown with last known recruiting status in the March 21, 2025 update.
evidence:
- reference: clinicaltrials:NCT06355622
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Pain is a neglected topic in RASopathies but it is frequently complained
by affected individuals.
explanation: >-
ClinicalTrials.gov identifies an additional Costello-relevant registry
study targeting an undercurated symptom domain across RASopathies.
references:
- reference: DOI:10.1161/circep.123.012022
title: <i>HRAS</i> -Mutant Cardiomyocyte Model of Multifocal Atrial
Tachycardia
findings: []
- reference: DOI:10.3390/genes15081015
title: Cardiac Phenotype and Gene Mutations in RASopathies
findings: []