Hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive ectopic calcification disorder caused by biallelic NT5E variants that impair CD73 activity. The disorder is also known as arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 or calcification of joints and arteries, and it causes lower-extremity arterial calcification, claudication, periarticular calcification, joint pain, and arthritis-like presentations.
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name: Hereditary Arterial and Articular Multiple Calcification Syndrome
creation_date: "2026-05-05T01:33:38Z"
updated_date: "2026-05-05T03:48:15Z"
description: >-
Hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome is a rare
autosomal recessive ectopic calcification disorder caused by biallelic NT5E
variants that impair CD73 activity. The disorder is also known as arterial
calcification due to deficiency of CD73 or calcification of joints and
arteries, and it causes lower-extremity arterial calcification, claudication,
periarticular calcification, joint pain, and arthritis-like presentations.
category: Mendelian
disease_term:
preferred_term: hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome
term:
id: MONDO:0008895
label: hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome
parents:
- Vascular disorder
synonyms:
- HAAMCS
- Arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73
- ACDC
- Calcification of joints and arteries
- CALJA
inheritance:
- name: Autosomal recessive inheritance
inheritance_term:
preferred_term: Autosomal recessive inheritance
term:
id: HP:0000007
label: Autosomal recessive inheritance
description: The disorder is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in NT5E.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:25486201
reference_title: "Juxta-articular joint-capsule mineralization in CD73 deficient mice: similarities to patients with NT5E mutations."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
Arterial calcification due to CD73 deficiency (ACDC), an autosomal recessive disorder, manifests with extensive mineralization of the lower-extremity arteries as well as of hand and foot joint-capsules.
explanation: This abstract states autosomal recessive inheritance and the core mineralization pattern.
pathophysiology:
- name: NT5E/CD73 loss impairs extracellular adenosine generation
description: >-
Biallelic NT5E variants produce nonfunctional CD73, reducing conversion of
extracellular AMP to adenosine and disrupting an anti-calcification pathway
in vascular and periarticular tissues.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: vascular smooth muscle cell
term:
id: CL:0000359
label: vascular associated smooth muscle cell
- preferred_term: endothelial cell
term:
id: CL:0000115
label: endothelial cell
- preferred_term: fibroblast
term:
id: CL:0000057
label: fibroblast
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: adenosine metabolic process
modifier: DECREASED
term:
id: GO:0046085
label: adenosine metabolic process
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
All mutations found in the three families result in nonfunctional CD73.
explanation: This supports loss of CD73 function from NT5E variants.
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
NT5E encodes CD73, a membrane-bound ecto-5′-nucleotidase (specifically, 5′–ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase; EC 3.1.3.5) involved in extracellular ATP metabolism.
explanation: This defines the affected enzyme and pathway.
downstream:
- target: TNAP upregulation and pyrophosphate depletion
description: Reduced extracellular adenosine signaling increases tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase activity in patient cells.
- name: TNAP upregulation and pyrophosphate depletion
description: >-
CD73-deficient patient fibroblasts show increased tissue-nonspecific
alkaline phosphatase activity, which degrades pyrophosphate and removes an
anti-mineralization signal in vascular and periarticular tissues.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: fibroblast
term:
id: CL:0000057
label: fibroblast
- preferred_term: vascular smooth muscle cell
term:
id: CL:0000359
label: vascular associated smooth muscle cell
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: pyrophosphate-related phosphate metabolism
modifier: ABNORMAL
term:
id: GO:0006796
label: phosphate-containing compound metabolic process
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
Cultured fibroblasts from affected members of Family 1 showed markedly reduced expression of NT5E messenger RNA, CD73 protein, and enzyme activity, as well as increased alkaline phosphatase levels and accumulated calcium phosphate crystals.
explanation: This patient-cell evidence directly supports increased alkaline phosphatase and calcification in CD73 deficiency.
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
adenosine treatment reduced the levels of alkaline phosphatase and calcification.
explanation: This rescue experiment supports adenosine-dependent regulation of TNAP-linked calcification.
downstream:
- target: Ectopic arterial and periarticular calcification
description: Increased TNAP activity reduces pyrophosphate-mediated inhibition of mineral deposition.
- name: Ectopic arterial and periarticular calcification
description: >-
CD73 deficiency increases alkaline phosphatase activity and reduces the
anti-mineralization balance of pyrophosphate-related pathways, promoting
calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite deposition in lower-extremity arteries
and periarticular tissues.
cell_types:
- preferred_term: vascular smooth muscle cell
term:
id: CL:0000359
label: vascular associated smooth muscle cell
- preferred_term: fibroblast
term:
id: CL:0000057
label: fibroblast
biological_processes:
- preferred_term: biomineral tissue development
modifier: INCREASED
term:
id: GO:0031214
label: biomineral tissue development
- preferred_term: pyrophosphate metabolic process
modifier: ABNORMAL
term:
id: GO:0006796
label: phosphate-containing compound metabolic process
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: IN_VITRO
snippet: >-
adenosine treatment reduced the levels of alkaline phosphatase and calcification.
explanation: Patient-cell rescue evidence supports adenosine-linked suppression of alkaline phosphatase and calcification.
- reference: DOI:10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1
reference_title: "Calcification of Joints and Arteries (CALJA) Is a Rare Cause of Arthritis and Lower Limb Ischemia: Case Report and Literature Review"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The clinical features of CALJA are caused by hydroxyapatite crystal deposition at the periarticular and vascular levels due to abnormalities of pyrophosphate metabolism.
explanation: This review links the clinical phenotype to hydroxyapatite deposition and pyrophosphate metabolism.
phenotypes:
- category: Cardiovascular
name: Arterial calcification
diagnostic: true
description: Lower-extremity arterial calcification is a defining vascular manifestation.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Arterial calcification
term:
id: HP:0003207
label: Arterial calcification
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
We identified nine persons with calcifications of the lower-extremity arteries and hand and foot joint capsules: all five siblings in one family, three siblings in another, and one patient in a third family.
explanation: This foundational study directly supports arterial and articular calcification.
- category: Cardiovascular
name: Intermittent claudication
description: Lower-extremity arterial disease causes exertional limb pain and claudication.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Intermittent claudication
term:
id: HP:0004417
label: Intermittent claudication
onset:
onset_category: YOUNG_ADULT
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
All four siblings of Patient VI.1 had disabling intermittent claudication (ability to walk only 1 to 6 blocks) and hemodynamically significant lower-extremity obstructive peripheral artery disease
explanation: This directly supports claudication and obstructive peripheral arterial disease.
- category: Musculoskeletal
name: Periarticular calcification
diagnostic: true
description: Periarticular soft-tissue or joint-capsule calcification affects hands, feet, wrists, ankles, and other small joints.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Periarticular calcification
term:
id: HP:0025477
label: Periarticular calcification
onset:
onset_category: JUVENILE
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175
reference_title: "Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73: A case study"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Dual energy CT studies of the extremities demonstrated extensive periarticular soft tissue calcification throughout the wrists, hands, ankle and feet without evidence of uric acid.
explanation: This case directly supports the imaging pattern of periarticular calcification.
- category: Musculoskeletal
name: Arthritis
description: Patients can present to rheumatology with chronic or recurrent arthritis-like symptoms before the genetic diagnosis is recognized.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Arthritis
term:
id: HP:0001369
label: Arthritis
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1
reference_title: "Calcification of Joints and Arteries (CALJA) Is a Rare Cause of Arthritis and Lower Limb Ischemia: Case Report and Literature Review"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Calcification of Joints and Arteries (CALJA) is a rare disease that leads to chronic arthritis and lower limb claudication due to hydroxyapatite crystal deposition.
explanation: This directly supports arthritis and claudication as clinical features.
- category: Musculoskeletal
name: Arthralgia and joint deformity
description: Severe joint pain and deformities are major burdens of disease.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Arthralgia
term:
id: HP:0002829
label: Arthralgia
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.1177/1358863X241235669
reference_title: Pilot study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of etidronate treatment for arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 (ACDC)
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 (ACDC; OMIM 211800) is a rare genetic disease resulting in calcium deposits in arteries and small joints causing claudication, resting pain, severe joint pain, and deformities.
explanation: This pilot-study background supports severe joint pain and deformity.
- category: Cardiovascular
name: Arterial tortuosity and arteriomegaly
description: Arterial tortuosity and arteriomegaly are distinctive vascular remodeling features reported in CD73 deficiency.
phenotype_term:
preferred_term: Arterial tortuosity
term:
id: HP:0005116
label: Arterial tortuosity
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.1161/ATVBAHA.118.311579
reference_title: "Vascular Disease in Mice and Humans Deficient in CD73"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
CD73-deficient humans present with the complex phenotype of vascular calcification, arteriomegaly and tortuosity, and calcification in small joints.
explanation: This review directly supports arteriomegaly and tortuosity as part of the human CD73-deficiency phenotype.
genetic:
- name: NT5E
association: Causative
presence: Positive
gene_term:
preferred_term: NT5E
term:
id: hgnc:8021
label: NT5E
notes: Biallelic NT5E variants cause CD73 deficiency.
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
We identified mutations in NT5E in members of three families with symptomatic arterial and joint calcifications.
explanation: This foundational human genetics paper establishes NT5E causality.
- reference: PMID:21288095
reference_title: NT5E mutations and arterial calcifications.
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Affected members of Family 2 had a homozygous missense mutation (c.1073G→A, p.C358Y) in NT5E.
explanation: This gives a concrete biallelic NT5E variant example from an affected family.
histopathology:
- name: Medial elastic lamina calcification
description: >-
Histopathology shows circumferential medial arterial calcification involving
the elastic lamina, rather than plaque-like intimal atherosclerosis.
finding_term:
preferred_term: Medial arterial calcification
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21371928
reference_title: "Vascular pathology of medial arterial calcifications in NT5E deficiency: implications for the role of adenosine in pseudoxanthoma elasticum."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The medial lesions involve the entire circumference of the elastic lamina, in contrast to the intimal plaque-like disease of atherosclerosis.
explanation: This supports the characteristic medial elastic-lamina distribution of arterial calcification.
- name: Osteogenic cells within calcified arterial lesions
description: >-
Enlarging calcified foci contain osteoblast-like cells, consistent with
osteogenic activity in affected arterial lesions.
finding_term:
preferred_term: Osteoblast-like cells in calcified arterial lesions
evidence:
- reference: PMID:21371928
reference_title: "Vascular pathology of medial arterial calcifications in NT5E deficiency: implications for the role of adenosine in pseudoxanthoma elasticum."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
As each smaller nidus of calcification enlarges, differentiating cell types appear, including osteoblast-like cells inside of vacuolar spaces in the calcium-containing regions.
explanation: This supports osteoblast-like cellular differentiation inside calcified vascular lesions.
diagnosis:
- name: Genetic testing for NT5E variants
description: >-
Molecular diagnosis is made by identifying pathogenic biallelic NT5E
variants in the setting of characteristic arterial and periarticular
calcification.
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1
reference_title: "Calcification of Joints and Arteries (CALJA) Is a Rare Cause of Arthritis and Lower Limb Ischemia: Case Report and Literature Review"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The results of the NT5E gene analysis were positive for an inactivating variant, leading to the diagnosis of CALJA.
explanation: This case supports NT5E testing as diagnostic.
- name: CT and radiographic vascular-articular calcification pattern
description: >-
Imaging shows dense lower-extremity arterial calcification and periarticular
soft-tissue calcification, often with relative sparing of the aorta or
coronary arteries.
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175
reference_title: "Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73: A case study"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Review of previous CT studies of the abdomen and lower extremities showed severe ectasia and arterial calcification in the femoral and popliteal arteries bilaterally, but no calcifications in the aorta and common iliac arteries.
explanation: This supports the distinctive lower-extremity vascular imaging pattern.
treatments:
- name: Etidronate
description: >-
Etidronate has pilot human evidence for safety and possible slowing of
lower-extremity vascular calcification progression, but it has not reversed
established vascular or periarticular calcification.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: Pharmacotherapy
term:
id: NCIT:C15986
label: Pharmacotherapy
therapeutic_agent:
- preferred_term: etidronate
term:
id: CHEBI:4907
label: etidronic acid
target_mechanisms:
- target: Ectopic arterial and periarticular calcification
treatment_effect: INHIBITS
description: Etidronate is a bisphosphonate intended to slow ectopic mineral deposition.
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.1177/1358863X241235669
reference_title: Pilot study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of etidronate treatment for arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 (ACDC)
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Etidronate treatment appeared to have slowed the progression of further vascular calcification in lower extremities as measured by CT but did not have an effect in reversing vascular and/or periarticular joint calcifications in our small ACDC cohort.
explanation: This pilot study supports etidronate as a partially effective disease-modifying treatment.
- name: Symptomatic vascular and joint management
description: >-
Patients may require antiplatelet or vascular management for ischemic
symptoms and anti-inflammatory or analgesic treatment for joint symptoms,
but no standard curative therapy is established.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: supportive care
term:
id: MAXO:0000950
label: supportive care
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175
reference_title: "Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73: A case study"
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
The patient was enrolled in an NIH trial of bisphosphonates and dual-antiplatelet therapy with stabilization of symptoms.
explanation: This case supports symptomatic medical vascular management alongside bisphosphonate trial participation.
- name: Colchicine for inflammatory joint symptoms
description: >-
Colchicine has case-report evidence for improving inflammatory symptoms and
inflammatory markers in CALJA/HAAMC, but it is not established as
disease-modifying therapy for calcification.
treatment_term:
preferred_term: Pharmacotherapy
term:
id: NCIT:C15986
label: Pharmacotherapy
therapeutic_agent:
- preferred_term: colchicine
term:
id: CHEBI:23359
label: colchicine
target_phenotypes:
- preferred_term: Arthralgia
term:
id: HP:0002829
label: Arthralgia
evidence:
- reference: DOI:10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1
reference_title: "Calcification of Joints and Arteries (CALJA) Is a Rare Cause of Arthritis and Lower Limb Ischemia: Case Report and Literature Review"
supports: PARTIAL
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Our case is the first in which clinical symptoms and a steady increase of inflammatory markers improved only after colchicine therapy initiation.
explanation: This supports colchicine as symptom-directed therapy in a single CALJA case rather than established disease-modifying treatment.
clinical_trials:
- name: NCT01585402
phase: PHASE_II
status: COMPLETED
description: >-
NIH pilot trial evaluating etidronate safety and effectiveness for arterial
calcification due to deficiency of CD73.
target_phenotypes:
- preferred_term: Arterial calcification
term:
id: HP:0003207
label: Arterial calcification
- preferred_term: Arthralgia
term:
id: HP:0002829
label: Arthralgia
evidence:
- reference: clinicaltrials:NCT01585402
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
To see if etidronate is a safe and effective treatment for ACDC.
explanation: This registry summary directly supports etidronate treatment evaluation in ACDC/HAAMC.
- reference: clinicaltrials:NCT01585402
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: HUMAN_CLINICAL
snippet: >-
Participants will take etidronate by mouth once a day for 14 days every 3 months.
explanation: This provides the trial dosing schedule for etidronate exposure.
animal_models:
- species: mouse
genotype: Nt5e knockout
description: >-
Nt5e knockout mice partially recapitulate CD73 deficiency with
juxta-articular mineralization and biochemical pro-mineralization changes,
but do not show overt vascular mineralization.
genes:
- preferred_term: NT5E
term:
id: hgnc:8021
label: NT5E
evidence:
- reference: PMID:25486201
reference_title: "Juxta-articular joint-capsule mineralization in CD73 deficient mice: similarities to patients with NT5E mutations."
supports: SUPPORT
evidence_source: MODEL_ORGANISM
snippet: >-
The Nt5e(-/-) targeted mutant mice recapitulate some, but not all, features of ACDC and serve as a model system to study pharmacologic interventions for ectopic mineralization.
explanation: This directly supports the mouse model and its limitations.
Hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome is an ultra-rare Mendelian ectopic-mineralization disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in NT5E (encoding the ecto-5′-nucleotidase CD73). It is characterized by medial calcification of medium-to-large peripheral arteries (predominantly lower extremities) and periarticular calcifications (often hands/feet/wrists/ankles), producing intermittent claudication and chronic limb ischemia plus arthritis-like symptoms, early osteoarthritis, severe joint pain and deformity. The best-supported molecular mechanism is loss of CD73-generated adenosine, leading to increased TNAP activity, reduced functional pyrophosphate (PPi) anti-mineralization capacity, and increased propensity for hydroxyapatite deposition in arterial media and periarticular tissues. Recent (2024) clinical-trial evidence suggests etidronate is safe and may slow progression of lower-extremity arterial calcification on CT, without reversal of established calcifications.
Arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 (ACDC; used synonymously with CALJA/HAAMCS in recent clinical literature) is described as a “very rare autosomal recessive ectopic mineralization syndrome” caused by loss-of-function variants in NT5E, producing “massive de novo calcifications” in the media of medium-to-large arteries (predominantly lower extremities) and periarticular regions, causing claudication, rest ischemic pain, severe joint pain, and deformities. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3)
A compact normalization table is provided below.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Preferred name | Hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3) |
| Major synonyms | Calcification of joints and arteries (CALJA); arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73 (ACDC); CD73 deficiency / NT5E deficiency–associated arterial and periarticular calcification (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 6-7) |
| MONDO ID | MONDO:0008895 (Open Targets disease association output) |
| OMIM ID | OMIM 211800 (reported for ACDC) (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3) |
| Causal gene | NT5E (encodes CD73; 5'-nucleotidase ecto) (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2) |
| Inheritance | Autosomal recessive; biallelic loss-of-function variants reported, including homozygous and compound heterozygous cases (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6, markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4) |
| Epidemiology notes | Ultra-rare disorder; fewer than 20 patients reported worldwide in the 2024 pilot-study background, while the 2023 CALJA review states 23 published cases; prevalence estimated as <1 in 1,000,000 (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) |
Table: This table summarizes the core naming and identifier information for hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome, including accepted synonyms and disease-gene linkage. It is useful as a compact normalization reference for downstream knowledge base entry and curation.
Notes on missing identifiers: Orphanet, ICD-10/ICD-11, and MeSH identifiers were not present in the retrieved evidence set and therefore cannot be asserted here.
Evidence in this report is derived primarily from: - Human primary clinical genetics (NEJM 2011) and case series/case reports (human clinical evidence). (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) - Human interventional trial protocol and pilot study (NIH; NCT01585402; Vascular Medicine 2024). (NCT01585402 chunk 2, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8) - Mouse knockout model and mechanistic cell studies (in vivo and in vitro). (li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 1-3, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 8-10) - Recent mechanistic reviews situating the ABCC6→ENPP1→CD73→TNAP axis in ectopic calcification disorders. (kauffenstein2024thepurinergicnature pages 1-2)
No disease-specific genetic or environmental protective factors were identified in the retrieved evidence. Mechanistically, restoring adenosine signaling or inhibiting TNAP reduces calcification in patient-derived cellular models, implying pathway-level protection, but this is not yet established as a clinical protective factor. (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 8-10)
No explicit gene–environment interaction studies specific to CALJA/ACDC were identified in the retrieved evidence. However, murine phenotype expressivity varies with genetic background (e.g., Abcc6 allele confounding) and diet (high phosphorus/low magnesium “acceleration diet”), suggesting context dependence in ectopic mineralization processes. (li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 3-4, li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 6-7)
A structured phenotype table with HPO suggestions is provided here.
| Clinical phenotype | Phenotype type | Suggested HPO term(s) | Brief evidence-based notes on onset / frequency / severity | Key sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medial arterial calcification of lower extremities | Imaging / vascular sign | HP:0004967 Peripheral arterial calcification; HP:0005124 Arteriosclerosis | Hallmark feature; typically affects medium-to-large lower-extremity arteries (femoral, popliteal, tibial) with medial, nonatherosclerotic calcification. Adult presentation predominates; joint symptoms may begin earlier. Often severe and progressive. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
| Intermittent claudication | Symptom | HP:0005117 Intermittent claudication | One of the most consistent symptomatic vascular manifestations; mean onset around 29 years in the 2024 pilot-study background. Can become activity-limiting and progress to rest pain/chronic ischemia. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
| Low ankle-brachial index (ABI) | Functional / vascular test abnormality | HP:0030879 Abnormal ankle-brachial index | Reduced ABI reflects lower-limb ischemia; examples include <0.8 in review summaries, 0.59/0.58 in one rheumatology case, and 0.4 bilaterally in a 2024 imaging case. Severity varies but may be marked. (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
| Chronic limb ischemia, arterial occlusion, or limb-threatening ischemia | Clinical sign / complication | HP:0005290 Peripheral vascular insufficiency; HP:0005114 Arterial occlusion | Progressive vascular disease may lead to femoropopliteal obliteration/occlusion, chronic foot ischemia, ulcers, or chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Severe cases may require bypass surgery. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) | (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) |
| Periarticular soft-tissue calcification of hands/feet | Imaging / musculoskeletal sign | HP:0005686 Calcification of hand joints; HP:0100590 Periarticular calcification | Core musculoskeletal hallmark, often involving wrists, hands, ankles, and feet; commonly visible on radiographs or CT. Joint manifestations often begin in adolescence or early adulthood; can be bulky and painful. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4) | (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4) |
| Arthritis / recurrent non-erosive mono- or oligoarthritis | Clinical diagnosis / symptom complex | HP:0001369 Arthritis | Frequently causes rheumatology referral and misdiagnosis as inflammatory arthritis. Described as recurrent, migratory, asymmetric, and typically non-erosive; may improve with colchicine or NSAIDs in some reports. (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) | (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) |
| Early-onset osteoarthritis / degenerative joint disease | Clinical sign | HP:0002758 Osteoarthritis; HP:0003074 Early onset | CALJA is repeatedly described as causing early osteoarthritis, particularly in small joints of hands/feet, sometimes beginning in adolescence. Severity is variable; deformity may develop over time. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2) | (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2) |
| Joint pain and deformity | Symptom / physical manifestation | HP:0002829 Arthralgia; HP:0001376 Joint deformity | Severe joint pain is common and may be debilitating; the 2024 pilot-study background highlights severe joint pain and deformities as major disease burdens. Can persist despite limited effect of current therapies on calcification burden. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 4-5) | (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 4-5) |
| Arterial tortuosity, ectasia, or arteriomegaly | Imaging / vascular sign | HP:0002616 Arterial tortuosity; HP:0030964 Arterial ectasia; HP:0030963 Arteriomegaly | Distinctive vascular morphology in some patients, especially femoral/popliteal arteries; can accompany calcification and help distinguish from typical atherosclerotic PAD. Seen on CT, radiographs, and angiographic studies. (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 4-6) | (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 4-6) |
| Pseudogout / CPPD-like acute calcific episodes | Episodic symptom complex | HP:0005191 Pseudogout | Some patients have pseudogout-like attacks or are described as having calcific periarthritis / CPPD-like disease; dual-energy CT may exclude urate and support non-gout crystal deposition. Evidence is case-based rather than cohort-based. (markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4) | (markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4) |
| Elevated inflammatory markers (subset) | Laboratory abnormality | HP:0003565 Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HP:0011227 Increased C-reactive protein level | Not universal. Some cases, including the 2023 review case, showed persistently elevated ESR/CRP that improved with colchicine; other reports documented normal ESR/CRP. Best treated as a variable, non-core phenotype. (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
| Normal serum calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone | Laboratory finding / often normal studies | HP:0011047 Abnormal serum calcium level; HP:0002905 Abnormal serum phosphate level; HP:0030312 Abnormal parathyroid hormone level | Routine mineral metabolism tests are often normal despite extensive ectopic calcification. Reports specifically note normal calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, renal function, and/or PTH in several patients. This is diagnostically useful because dramatic calcification occurs without classic systemic mineral imbalance. (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
Table: This table summarizes the core clinical and laboratory phenotypes reported for calcification of joints and arteries / arterial calcification due to CD73 deficiency, with suggested HPO terms and concise notes on onset, frequency, and severity where available. It is designed to support disease knowledge-base curation and phenotype annotation.
Direct validated QoL instruments (EQ-5D/SF-36/PROMIS) were not found in the retrieved evidence. Functional limitation is strongly implied by activity-limiting claudication and severe joint pain/deformities in trial/case literature. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3)
Variant examples and classes are summarized here.
| HGVS cDNA | Protein change | Variant class | Zygosity / inheritance context | Source paper / year | Key associated phenotype notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c.662C>A | p.S221X | Nonsense | Homozygous in Family 1; autosomal recessive. Also reported as one allele in compound heterozygous patient | St Hilaire et al., 2011; Markello et al., 2011 (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4) | Symptomatic lower-extremity arterial calcification with periarticular hand/foot joint-capsule calcification; femoropopliteal occlusion and claudication/rest pain spectrum (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6) |
| c.1073G>A | p.C358Y | Missense | Homozygous in Family 2; autosomal recessive | St Hilaire et al., 2011 (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2) | Lower-limb radiographic/CT arterial calcifications with periarticular calcification; adult-onset symptomatic disease (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6) |
| c.1609dupA | p.V537fsX7 | Frameshift | Compound heterozygous with c.662C>A in Family 3 / individual case; autosomal recessive | St Hilaire et al., 2011; Markello et al., 2011 (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8, markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4) | Early exertional calf pain, reduced ABI, extensive medial arterial calcification, periarticular calcifications/pseudogout, arteriomegaly/aneurysmal change (markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4) |
| c.3G>C | p.M1I | Start-loss / initiation codon variant | Reported in later families/case summaries; biallelic recessive context in CALJA literature | Joolharzadeh & St Hilaire, 2019; Maffi et al., 2023 (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) | CALJA/ACDC phenotype with intermittent claudication, lower-extremity arterial insufficiency, periarticular calcifications and arthritis/early osteoarthritis (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) |
| c.751+2T>C | — (splice; exon 3 skipping reported) | Splice-site | Reported in recessive CALJA families/case summaries | Joolharzadeh & St Hilaire, 2019; Maffi et al., 2023 (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) | Periarticular calcification and lower-limb arterial calcification/ischemia consistent with CALJA phenotype (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) |
| c.751+1G>A | — | Splice-donor | Novel homozygous variant in 2023 case report; autosomal recessive | Maffi et al., 2023 (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2) | Chronic arthritis, recurrent migratory non-erosive arthritis, extensive periarticular calcific deposits, bilateral femoral/popliteal obliteration, claudication; inflammatory markers improved with colchicine (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) |
| c.1387C>T | p.R463X | Nonsense | Reported in 2024 radiology case as pathogenic NT5E variant; zygosity not specified in retrieved excerpt | Mandalapu & Stevens, 2024 (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | Severe bilateral femoral/popliteal calcification and tortuosity/ectasia, periarticular hand/foot/wrist calcifications, ABI as low as 0.4, chronic claudication/ischemia (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
Table: This table summarizes NT5E pathogenic variants reported in the retrieved evidence for hereditary arterial and articular multiple calcification syndrome / CALJA / ACDC. It highlights variant class, inheritance context, and the main associated vascular and periarticular phenotypes for rapid knowledge-base curation.
Variant classes observed across reports include: nonsense, missense, frameshift, splice-site, and start-loss variants. (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2)
ClinVar/gnomAD allele frequency data: not available in the retrieved full-text evidence; therefore, population frequencies cannot be reliably reported here.
Primary data indicate NT5E mutations produced “essentially nonfunctional CD73,” with patient fibroblasts showing nearly absent CD73 activity and rescue of AMP-dependent phosphate production after CD73 re-expression. (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8)
Core pathway (disease-relevant extracellular purine/PPi axis): - ENPP1 converts extracellular ATP to AMP and pyrophosphate (PPi); CD73 (NT5E) converts AMP to adenosine and inorganic phosphate (Pi). (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 10-11) - PPi inhibits calcification; TNAP degrades PPi; adenosine inhibits TNAP. Thus, CD73 deficiency lowers adenosine, increasing TNAP activity and favoring calcification. (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 10-11)
Direct mechanistic evidence (patient cells): CD73-deficient fibroblasts showed increased TNAP staining/activity and calcium phosphate crystal formation that was prevented by CD73 rescue, adenosine supplementation, or a TNAP inhibitor (levamisole). (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 8-10)
Integration with broader ectopic calcification spectrum (recent review perspective, 2024): ABCC6, ENPP1, and CD73 are presented as a functional sequence generating two inhibitors of calcification—PPi and adenosine—and CALJA (NT5E/CD73 mutations) is described as part of a continuum with PXE and GACI. (kauffenstein2024thepurinergicnature pages 1-2)
(These ontology suggestions reflect the mechanisms explicitly described in primary studies and reviews, but are not directly enumerated in the retrieved texts.) (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 8-10, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3)
No disease-specific environmental, lifestyle, toxin, or infectious triggers were identified in the retrieved evidence. Murine work indicates that mineralization phenotypes can be influenced by dietary phosphorus/magnesium content and genetic background, but translation to human modifiable exposures remains unproven. (li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 6-7, li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 3-4)
(These are suggested mappings; the retrieved evidence provides strong anatomic specificity but does not itself enumerate UBERON/CL identifiers.) (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8)
A structured diagnostics and management table is provided below.
| Domain | Modality/Intervention | Details | Evidence/implementation notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic | CT calcium scoring (LECaS) | Lower-extremity CT calcium score used as a primary endpoint in the NIH etidronate study; protocol adapted coronary calcium-scoring concepts for the overwhelming lower-extremity calcification burden in ACDC/CALJA | Used longitudinally to assess progression rather than reversal; in the 3-year pilot, etidronate appeared to slow/halt progression of lower-extremity arterial calcification, though existing calcification was not reversed (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4, NCT01585402 chunk 2, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8) | Ferrante et al., 2024; NCT01585402 (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4, NCT01585402 chunk 2, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8) |
| Diagnostic | Ankle-brachial index (ABI) | Rest and post-exercise ABI used to quantify ischemia and vascular blood flow | Characteristically reduced in affected patients; examples include ABI 0.59/0.58 in a rheumatology case, 0.4 bilaterally in the 2024 imaging case, later 0.66 right and 0.74 left on follow-up; trial used ABI as a co-primary outcome but functional improvement was limited (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8) | Ichikawa et al., 2015; Mandalapu & Stevens, 2024; Ferrante et al., 2024 (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8) |
| Diagnostic | Plain radiographs | X-rays of knees, hands, feet, and affected vascular territories show extensive periarticular calcific deposits and dense arterial calcification | Practical first-line imaging for small-joint/periarticular calcification and peripheral arterial calcification; frequently reveals calcifications that prompt NT5E-directed workup (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | Ichikawa et al., 2015; Maffi et al., 2023; Mandalapu & Stevens, 2024 (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
| Diagnostic | MRI (incidental vascular finding) | Knee MRI performed for meniscal symptoms incidentally demonstrated marked tortuosity and dense calcification of the popliteal artery | Illustrates that ACDC/CALJA may first be recognized incidentally on musculoskeletal imaging; should trigger review of prior vascular imaging and broader calcification differential (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | Mandalapu & Stevens, 2024 (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
| Diagnostic | Dual-energy CT | Dual-energy CT of extremities showed extensive periarticular soft-tissue calcifications in wrists, hands, ankles, and feet without uric acid signal | Helpful in differentiating ACDC/CALJA from gout/tophaceous disease; supports calcium-containing periarticular deposits rather than monosodium urate (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) | Mandalapu & Stevens, 2024 (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2) |
| Diagnostic | Doppler ultrasound | Demonstrated bilateral obliteration/occlusion of femoral and popliteal arteries in a CALJA case | Useful noninvasive vascular screen in patients with claudication and suspected lower-limb arterial disease; complements ABI and CT/radiography (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2) | Maffi et al., 2023 (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2) |
| Diagnostic | Genetic testing for NT5E | Diagnosis established by identifying biallelic/inactivating NT5E variants; variants reported in the literature include nonsense, missense, frameshift, start-loss, and splice-site changes | Recommended when lower-extremity arterial calcification coexists with periarticular calcification/arthritis-like disease; case reports emphasize systematic calcification NGS panels including NT5E and related genes in differential diagnosis (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3) | St Hilaire et al., 2011; Maffi et al., 2023; review data (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8, hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3) |
| Diagnostic | Laboratory evaluation | Serum calcium, phosphate, vitamin D, renal function, PTH, ESR/CRP, RF, anti-CCP, and uric acid are commonly checked | Many reports note normal Ca/P/PTH and negative rheumatologic markers despite marked calcification; inflammatory markers can be normal or elevated in some inflammatory/articular presentations (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) | St Hilaire et al., 2011; Ichikawa et al., 2015; Mandalapu & Stevens, 2024; Maffi et al., 2023 (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2, ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5) |
| Therapy | Etidronate (bisphosphonate) | Open-label NIH pilot: 14 days every 3 months for 3 years (12 cycles), 20 mg/kg daily or 10 mg/kg twice daily; seven genetically confirmed adults enrolled | Safe and generally well tolerated; did not reverse established vascular/periarticular calcifications but appeared to slow progression of lower-extremity vascular calcification on CT; no clear ABI/treadmill improvement; adverse events were mainly GI/arthralgia with two grade 3 possibly related events (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8) | Ferrante et al., 2024; NCT01585402 (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8) |
| Therapy | Colchicine | Used in a CALJA patient with recurrent non-erosive inflammatory arthritis and elevated ESR/CRP | Reported to improve articular symptoms and normalize inflammatory markers, but lower-limb claudication was unaffected; evidence limited to case-level observation (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) | Maffi et al., 2023 (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 2-5, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) |
| Therapy | NSAIDs | Used for acute periarticular/arthritis-like flares and pain control | Case literature reports effective treatment of acute joint flares with NSAIDs; supportive rather than disease-modifying (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) | Ichikawa et al., 2015; Maffi et al., 2023 (ichikawa2015arterialcalcificationdue pages 1-1, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) |
| Therapy | Surgical revascularization / bypass | Example: femoral-to-posterior tibial bypass in a patient with severe ischemic disease from NT5E deficiency | Can improve symptoms in advanced occlusive disease/chronic limb-threatening ischemia; reflects real-world management when arterial obstruction is severe (markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) | Markello et al., 2011; Maffi et al., 2023 (markello2011vascularpathologyof pages 2-4, maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6) |
| Therapy | Antiplatelet therapy and statin | Real-world management in case reports included clopidogrel, low-dose aspirin/dual antiplatelet therapy, atorvastatin, and antihypertensive therapy (amlodipine) | Used for peripheral arterial disease risk reduction/symptom stabilization rather than direct anti-calcification; one 2024 imaging case noted stabilization while on this regimen after NIH bisphosphonate enrollment (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4) | Mandalapu & Stevens, 2024 (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4) |
| Therapy | Supportive monitoring and functional assessment | Trial/clinical follow-up included CT imaging, ABI, treadmill testing (Gardner protocol), pain and activity indices, blood/urine tests, dental exams, and hand radiographs | Supports longitudinal monitoring of progression and treatment tolerance in this chronic ultra-rare disease; current care remains largely supportive and individualized outside the etidronate pilot (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4, NCT01585402 chunk 2) | Ferrante et al., 2024; NCT01585402 (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3, ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4, NCT01585402 chunk 2) |
Table: This table summarizes the main clinical diagnostic modalities and current management evidence for CALJA/ACDC, emphasizing how the disease is recognized in practice and what treatment approaches have supporting data. It is useful for translating case reports and the 2024 pilot study into a structured knowledge base format.
Radiology figures from the 2024 case report demonstrate representative patterns of dense popliteal/femoral arterial calcification and tortuosity plus periarticular hand calcifications, consistent with the core phenotype. (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof media 377fe2eb, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof media 00a5cd92, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof media a1258f08)
Differential diagnoses highlighted in the 2024 imaging case include pseudoxanthoma elasticum, generalized arterial calcification of infancy, chronic renal failure/secondary hyperparathyroidism, gout, and scleroderma, with dual-energy CT used to exclude urate. (mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4)
Diagnosis is confirmed by identification of pathogenic NT5E variants; recent literature supports the utility of systematic NGS panel approaches for overlapping vascular calcification phenotypes (including NT5E and related genes such as ENPP1 and ABCC6). (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2)
NIH pilot study (Vascular Medicine, Apr 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1358863X241235669; publication date Apr 2024): - Seven adults with genetically confirmed ACDC received intermittent etidronate (14 days every 3 months for 3 years). (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4) - Primary endpoints included lower-extremity CT calcium score and ABI; authors conclude etidronate “appeared to have slowed the progression of further vascular calcification” but did not reverse existing vascular or periarticular calcifications; it was “safe and well tolerated.” (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 1-3) - Additional reported quantitative context includes coronary Agatston scores (mean prestudy 183 ± 43; posttreatment 226 ± 84) in the cohort description. (ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 6-8)
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01585402 (interventional; completed; enrollment 7; Phase 2). URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01585402 (NCT01585402 chunk 2)
(MAXO identifiers were not present in the retrieved evidence; these are mapping suggestions for knowledge base use.)
No primary prevention is established beyond: - Genetic counseling (autosomal recessive inheritance; cascade testing where a familial NT5E variant is known). (hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 5-6) - Secondary/tertiary prevention: early recognition of the distinctive imaging pattern and ABI impairment to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate immunosuppression, and to implement vascular surveillance and symptom management. (maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2, mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 1-2)
No naturally occurring veterinary disease analogs were identified in the retrieved evidence.
A key model is the Nt5e−/− (CD73-deficient) mouse (Nt5e^tm1Jgsc). These mice develop juxta-articular/joint-capsule mineralization and show biochemical shifts consistent with a pro-mineralization state (increased serum Pi, decreased plasma PPi, increased Pi/PPi ratio), but lack overt vascular mineralization, indicating partial phenotypic recapitulation and important species/model limitations. (li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 1-3, li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 4-5)
Species/model differences (including adenosine metabolism differences and tissue microenvironment differences) likely contribute to the absent vascular phenotype in mice, as emphasized in expert review. (joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 3-4)
References
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(maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 1-2): Michele Maffi, Giammarco De Mattia, Maria Rosa Mazzoni, Angela Michelucci, Benedetta Toschi, Caligo Maria Adelaide, Marta Mosca, and Maurizio Mazzantini. Calcification of joints and arteries (calja) is a rare cause of arthritis and lower limb ischemia: case report and literature review. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine, 5:1-8, May 2023. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1, doi:10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1. This article has 2 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
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(hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 1-2): Cynthia St. Hilaire, Shira G. Ziegler, Thomas C. Markello, Alfredo Brusco, Catherine Groden, Fred Gill, Hannah Carlson-Donohoe, Robert J. Lederman, Marcus Y. Chen, Dan Yang, Michael P. Siegenthaler, Carlo Arduino, Cecilia Mancini, Bernard Freudenthal, Horia C. Stanescu, Anselm A. Zdebik, R. Krishna Chaganti, Robert L. Nussbaum, Robert Kleta, William A. Gahl, and Manfred Boehm. nt5emutations and arterial calcifications. New England Journal of Medicine, 364:432-442, Feb 2011. URL: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa0912923, doi:10.1056/nejmoa0912923. This article has 531 citations and is from a highest quality peer-reviewed journal.
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(villabellosta2024vascularcalcificationa pages 6-7): Ricardo Villa-Bellosta. Vascular calcification: a passive process that requires active inhibition. Biology, 13:111, Feb 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13020111, doi:10.3390/biology13020111. This article has 29 citations.
(li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 3-4): Qiaoli Li, Thea P Price, John P Sundberg, and Jouni Uitto. Juxta-articular joint-capsule mineralization in cd73 deficient mice: similarities to patients with nt5e mutations. Cell Cycle, 13:2609-2615, Aug 2014. URL: https://doi.org/10.4161/15384101.2014.943567, doi:10.4161/15384101.2014.943567. This article has 64 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
(li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 6-7): Qiaoli Li, Thea P Price, John P Sundberg, and Jouni Uitto. Juxta-articular joint-capsule mineralization in cd73 deficient mice: similarities to patients with nt5e mutations. Cell Cycle, 13:2609-2615, Aug 2014. URL: https://doi.org/10.4161/15384101.2014.943567, doi:10.4161/15384101.2014.943567. This article has 64 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
(joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 2-3): Pouya Joolharzadeh and Cynthia St. Hilaire. Cd73 (cluster of differentiation 73) and the differences between mice and humans. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology, 39:339-348, Mar 2019. URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/atvbaha.118.311579, doi:10.1161/atvbaha.118.311579. This article has 60 citations and is from a domain leading peer-reviewed journal.
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(maffi2023calcificationofjoints pages 5-6): Michele Maffi, Giammarco De Mattia, Maria Rosa Mazzoni, Angela Michelucci, Benedetta Toschi, Caligo Maria Adelaide, Marta Mosca, and Maurizio Mazzantini. Calcification of joints and arteries (calja) is a rare cause of arthritis and lower limb ischemia: case report and literature review. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine, 5:1-8, May 2023. URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1, doi:10.1007/s42399-023-01485-1. This article has 2 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
(mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 2-4): Aniruddh Mandalapu and Kathryn J Stevens. Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of cd73: a case study. Journal of Radiology Case Reports, 17:27-33, Feb 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175, doi:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175. This article has 1 citations.
(joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 4-5): Pouya Joolharzadeh and Cynthia St. Hilaire. Cd73 (cluster of differentiation 73) and the differences between mice and humans. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology, 39:339-348, Mar 2019. URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/atvbaha.118.311579, doi:10.1161/atvbaha.118.311579. This article has 60 citations and is from a domain leading peer-reviewed journal.
(mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof pages 4-6): Aniruddh Mandalapu and Kathryn J Stevens. Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of cd73: a case study. Journal of Radiology Case Reports, 17:27-33, Feb 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175, doi:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175. This article has 1 citations.
(hilaire2011nt5emutationsandarterial pages 7-8): Cynthia St. Hilaire, Shira G. Ziegler, Thomas C. Markello, Alfredo Brusco, Catherine Groden, Fred Gill, Hannah Carlson-Donohoe, Robert J. Lederman, Marcus Y. Chen, Dan Yang, Michael P. Siegenthaler, Carlo Arduino, Cecilia Mancini, Bernard Freudenthal, Horia C. Stanescu, Anselm A. Zdebik, R. Krishna Chaganti, Robert L. Nussbaum, Robert Kleta, William A. Gahl, and Manfred Boehm. nt5emutations and arterial calcifications. New England Journal of Medicine, 364:432-442, Feb 2011. URL: https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa0912923, doi:10.1056/nejmoa0912923. This article has 531 citations and is from a highest quality peer-reviewed journal.
(ferrante2024pilotstudyto pages 3-4): Elisa A Ferrante, Cornelia D Cudrici, Mahmood Rashidi, Yi-Ping Fu, Rebecca Huffstutler, Katherine Carney, Marcus Y Chen, Cynthia St Hilaire, Kevin Smith, Hadi Bagheri, James D Katz, Carlos R Ferreira, William A Gahl, Manfred Boehm, and Alessandra Brofferio. Pilot study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of etidronate treatment for arterial calcification due to deficiency of cd73 (acdc). Vascular Medicine, 29:245-255, Apr 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.1177/1358863x241235669, doi:10.1177/1358863x241235669. This article has 13 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
(mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof media 377fe2eb): Aniruddh Mandalapu and Kathryn J Stevens. Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of cd73: a case study. Journal of Radiology Case Reports, 17:27-33, Feb 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175, doi:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175. This article has 1 citations.
(mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof media 00a5cd92): Aniruddh Mandalapu and Kathryn J Stevens. Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of cd73: a case study. Journal of Radiology Case Reports, 17:27-33, Feb 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175, doi:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175. This article has 1 citations.
(mandalapu2024imagingfindingsof media a1258f08): Aniruddh Mandalapu and Kathryn J Stevens. Imaging findings of arterial calcification due to deficiency of cd73: a case study. Journal of Radiology Case Reports, 17:27-33, Feb 2024. URL: https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175, doi:10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5175. This article has 1 citations.
(li2014juxtaarticularjointcapsulemineralization pages 4-5): Qiaoli Li, Thea P Price, John P Sundberg, and Jouni Uitto. Juxta-articular joint-capsule mineralization in cd73 deficient mice: similarities to patients with nt5e mutations. Cell Cycle, 13:2609-2615, Aug 2014. URL: https://doi.org/10.4161/15384101.2014.943567, doi:10.4161/15384101.2014.943567. This article has 64 citations and is from a peer-reviewed journal.
(joolharzadeh2019cd73(clusterof pages 3-4): Pouya Joolharzadeh and Cynthia St. Hilaire. Cd73 (cluster of differentiation 73) and the differences between mice and humans. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, & Vascular Biology, 39:339-348, Mar 2019. URL: https://doi.org/10.1161/atvbaha.118.311579, doi:10.1161/atvbaha.118.311579. This article has 60 citations and is from a domain leading peer-reviewed journal.