| [ Summary ] |
Stature increases during rapid body growth in fetuses and children. Most of the bones are formed through endochondral ossification, and epiphyseal growth plates are responsible for the longitudinal growth of these bones. In the growth plates, proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes are regulated by various factors including transcription factors, soluble factors, and the extracellular matrix. Defects in these factors may lead to skeletal dysplasias, which are often associated with short or tall statures. Short stature can be caused by environmental factors as well as genetic factors and is frequently observed in diseased children. Understanding the mechanisms of cartilage growth will contribute to the development of new strategies for diagnosis and treatment of short stature. |