Loss-of-Function GHSR Variants Are Associated With Short Stature and Low IGF-I

Lauren D Punt, Sander Kooijman, Noa J M Mutsters, Kaiming Yue, Daniëlle C M van der Kaay, Vera van Tellingen, Willie M Bakker-van Waarde, Annemiek M Boot, Erica L T van den Akker, Anneke A van Boekholt, Kirsten de Groote, Anne R Kruijsen, Nancy H G van Nieuwaal-van Maren, M Claire Woltering, Malou Heijligers, Josine C van der Heyden, Ellen M N Bannink, Tuula Rinne, Sabine E Hannema, Wouter J de Waal, Lucia C Delemarre, Patrick C N Rensen, Christiaan de Bruin, Hermine A van Duyvenvoorde, Jenny A Visser, Patric J D Delhanty, Monique Losekoot, Jan M Wit, Sjoerd D Joustra
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 110, Issue 5, May 2025, Pages e1303–e1314
https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaf010

Abstract

Context

The growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor, encoded by GHSR, is expressed on somatotrophs of the pituitary gland. Stimulation with its ligand ghrelin, as well as its constitutive activity, enhances GH secretion. Studies in knockout mice suggest that heterozygous loss-of-function of GHSR is associated with decreased GH response to fasting, but patient observations in small case reports have been equivocal.

Objective

This work aims to establish the phenotype of GHSR haploinsufficiency and its growth response to GH treatment.

Methods

This case series includes 26 patients with short stature and heterozygous GHSR variants. Pathogenicity was studied in vitro using total protein levels, cell surface expression, and receptor activity in basal, stimulated, and inhibited states.

Results

Ten different variants were identified, of which 6 were novel. Variants showed either partial or complete loss of function, primarily through loss of constitutive activity. Patients (aged 4.0-15.1 years) had proportionate short stature (height −2.8 ± 0.5 SDS), failure to thrive with low appetite (n = 4), a mean serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) of −1.6 ± 0.7 SDS, and a normal stimulated GH response. Nine patients received GH treatment, showing a height gain of 0.9 ± 0.4 SDS after 1 year and 1.5 ± 0.4 SDS after 2 years (n = 5).

Conclusion

This study combines phenotypical and functional data in a uniquely large group of children with short stature carrying GHSR variants, and shows their good response to GH treatment. The results strengthen the hypothesis of GHSR’s role in GH secretion.

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