Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome-1 (IGS1) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by onset of megaloblastic anemia associated with decreased serum vitamin B12 (cobalamin, Cbl) in infancy or early childhood. Low molecular weight (LMW) proteinuria is frequently present, but sometimes occurs later and is usually mild or subclinical. Patients often present with vague symptoms, including failure to thrive, loss of appetite, fatigue, lethargy, and/or recurrent infections. Some patients may present later in childhood with neurologic abnormalities related to B12 deficiency, such as sensorimotor neuropathy and/or cognitive disturbances. Treatment with vitamin B12 results in sustained clinical improvement of the anemia and resolution of the neurologic symptoms, if present. The proteinuria is nonprogressive, and affected individuals do not have deterioration of kidney function; correct diagnosis is important to prevent unnecessary treatment. The disorder results from a combination of vitamin B12 deficiency due to selective malabsorption of the vitamin, and impaired reabsorption of LMW proteins in the proximal renal tubule. These defects are caused by disruption of the AMN (605799)/CUBN complex that forms the 'cubam' receptor responsible for intestinal uptake of B12/GIF (CBLIF; 609342). In the kidney, AMN/CUBN interacts with the endocytic receptor megalin (LRP2; 600073), which is important for the reabsorption of plasma proteins (summary by Grasbeck, 2006, Storm et al., 2011, Storm et al., 2013).
Genetic Heterogeneity of Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome
See also IGS2 (618882), caused by mutation in the AMN gene (605799) on chromosome 14q32.
Congenital pernicious anemia (261000), a distinct disorder with overlapping features, is caused by mutation in the GIF (CBLIF) gene (609342). Adult pernicious anemia (170900) is another distinct autoimmune disorder associated with plasma autoantibodies to gastric parietal cells or gastric intrinsic factor. [from OMIM]
- MedGen UID:
- 865256
- •Concept ID:
- C4016819
- •
- Finding