Possible beta-mannosidosis chimera. Altered expression of metabolic perturbations

In utero transplantation: Disparate ramifications

In utero stem cell transplantation, which promises treatment for a host of genetic disorders early in gestation before disease effect stems from Ray Owen’s seminal observation that self-tolerance, is acquired during gestation. To date, in utero transplantation (IUT) has proved useful in characterizing the hematopoietic stem cell. Recent observations support its use as an in vivo method to further understanding of self-tolerance. Preclinical development continues for its application as a treatment for childhood hematolymphoid diseases. In addition, IUT may offer therapeutic options in the treatment of diabetes among other diseases. Thus IUT serves as a technique or system important in both a basic and applied format. This review summarizes these findings.

Fetal hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a challenge for the twenty-first century

Successful in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation will likely represent a major step forward in the management of patients with congenital hematological, metabolic, and immunological disorders. We review the naturally occurring models of hematopoietic chimerism in animals and humans, as well as available experimental animal data and human clinical attempts of fetal transplantation. Data available from naturally occurring models and experimental models of fetal transplantation suggest that this technique should be translatable to the human fetus. However, to date, the success of human fetal hematopoietic stem cell therapy has been limited to fetuses with severe immunologic defects. Evaluation of successful attempts of human transplantation, the ontogeny of fetal immune development, and data available from animals provide insights into innovative approaches to fetal therapy that may bring the reality of successful fetal transplantation closer.

Biochemical and morphological expression of early prenatal caprine beta-mannosidosis

Lysosomal storage diseases associated with early-onset pathological changes may require prenatal therapy to avert the profound effects of the metabolic error on organs, especially the central nervous system. The present investigation determined the extent of expression of beta-mannosidase deficiency in the caprine fetus at 62 days of gestation, near the end of the period of immunotolerance when donor cells can engraft in various organs without immune rejection and supply missing enzyme. Three pairs of obligate carrier goats from the beta-mannosidosis colony were mated. Out of six fetuses delivered at 62 days of gestation, one (V385) was identified by measurement of beta-mannosidase activity as the only fetus affected with beta-mannosidosis. Thin-layer chromatography and quantitation of oligosaccharides revealed the presence of tri- and disaccharides, typical of beta-mannosidosis, only in V385. Morphological analysis revealed cytoplasmic vacuolation typical of beta-mannosidosis in V385; in thyroid, spinal cord, and kidney, the pattern of vacuolation was similar to, but less severe than, that observed previously in newborn affected goats. On the basis of these results, it will be possible to determine the effects of prenatal cell transplantation therapeutic strategies performed during the period of immunotolerance by monitoring phenotypic characteristics after treatment.