Evidence of a generalized metabolic defect in patients with hereditary chondrocalcinosis. Increased inorganic pyrophosphate in cultured fibroblasts and lymphoblasts.

A gene in the heterozygous state appears responsible for a 2-fold increase in pyrophosphate content of both fibroblasts and lymphoblasts cultured from patients who have dominantly inherited chondrocalcinosis. Cells from unaffected family members of this large kindred showed a pyrophosphate content in the same range as was found in unaffected, unrelated controls. Similar cells from individuals homozygous for the gene would be useful in delineating the precise biochemical abnormality responsible for the increased pyrophosphate content.