Role of Endothelin-1 in a Syndrome of Myelofibrosis and Osteosclerosis.

CONTEXT: Primary myelofibrosis is one of the chronic myeloproliferative disorders characterized by bone marrow fibrosis associated with extramedullary hematopoiesis and osteosclerosis. Endothelin-1 (ET1) is a potent vasoconstrictor that is also a key mediator of osteoblastic bone metastases by stimulating osteoblast proliferation and new bone formation.

CASE DESCRIPTION: We report laboratory, radiographic, bone densitometry, and bone histology data of a patient presenting with newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven myelofibrosis and osteosclerosis. We were able to demonstrate abundant ET1 signaling in the bones of our patient.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that ET1 is responsible for the osteosclerosis that develops with advanced myelofibrosis and suggest that ET1 signaling may play a role in other osteosclerotic settings as well.