Deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase results in collagen perturbations in cartilage of Morquio syndrome A patients

The collagen of bone and the collagen deposited by fibroblasts is normal, whereas the ECM of cartilage in Morquio syndrome A patients is affected. Thus, deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase has an impact on the phenotypic properties of chondrocytes, resulting in the formation of cartilage that is more prone to degeneration, being an explanation for the occurrence of osteoarthritis in Morquio syndrome A patients at early age.