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Evers RAF, van Vliet D, van Spronsen FJ. Tetrahydrobiopterin treatment in phenylketonuria: A repurposing approach. J Inherit Metab Dis 2020; 43:189-199. [PMID: 31373030 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In phenylketonuria (PKU) patients, early diagnosis by neonatal screening and immediate institution of a phenylalanine-restricted diet can prevent severe intellectual impairment. Nevertheless, outcome remains suboptimal in some patients asking for additional treatment strategies. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4 ) could be one of those treatment options, as it may not only increase residual phenylalanine hydroxylase activity in BH4 -responsive PKU patients, but possibly also directly improves neurocognitive functioning in both BH4 -responsive and BH4 -unresponsive PKU patients. In the present review, we aim to further define the theoretical working mechanisms by which BH4 might directly influence neurocognitive functioning in PKU having passed the blood-brain barrier. Further research should investigate which of these mechanisms are actually involved, and should contribute to the development of an optimal BH4 treatment regimen to directly improve neurocognitive functioning in PKU. Such possible repurposing approach of BH4 treatment in PKU may improve neuropsychological outcome and mental health in both BH4 -responsive and BH4 -unresponsive PKU patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roeland A F Evers
- Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Danique van Vliet
- Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Francjan J van Spronsen
- Division of Metabolic Diseases, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Moro CA, Hanna-Rose W. Animal Model Contributions to Congenital Metabolic Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1236:225-244. [PMID: 32304075 PMCID: PMC8404832 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-2389-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genetic model systems allow researchers to probe and decipher aspects of human disease, and animal models of disease are frequently specifically engineered and have been identified serendipitously as well. Animal models are useful for probing the etiology and pathophysiology of disease and are critical for effective discovery and development of novel therapeutics for rare diseases. Here we review the impact of animal model organism research in three examples of congenital metabolic disorders to highlight distinct advantages of model system research. First, we discuss phenylketonuria research where a wide variety of research fields and models came together to make impressive progress and where a nearly ideal mouse model has been central to therapeutic advancements. Second, we review advancements in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome research to illustrate the role of models that do not perfectly recapitulate human disease as well as the need for multiple models of the same disease to fully investigate human disease aspects. Finally, we highlight research on the GM2 gangliosidoses Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease to illustrate the important role of both engineered traditional laboratory animal models and serendipitously identified atypical models in congenital metabolic disorder research. We close with perspectives for the future for animal model research in congenital metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna A Moro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Wendy Hanna-Rose
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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van Vliet D, Anjema K, Jahja R, de Groot MJ, Liemburg GB, Heiner-Fokkema MR, van der Zee EA, Derks TGJ, Kema IP, van Spronsen FJ. BH4 treatment in BH4-responsive PKU patients: preliminary data on blood prolactin concentrations suggest increased cerebral dopamine concentrations. Mol Genet Metab 2015; 114:29-33. [PMID: 25466353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2014.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In phenylketonuria (PKU), cerebral neurotransmitter deficiencies have been suggested to contribute to brain dysfunction. Present treatment aims to reduce blood phenylalanine concentrations by a phenylalanine-restricted diet, while in some patients blood phenylalanine concentrations also respond to cofactor treatment with tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). Recently, a repurposing approach of BH4 was suggested to increase cerebral neurotransmitter synthesis. To investigate whether BH4 may improve cerebral dopamine concentrations in PKU patients beyond its effect through lowering blood phenylalanine concentrations, we investigated blood prolactin concentrations-as a parameter of brain dopamine availability. We retrospectively compared blood prolactin in relation to blood phenylalanine concentrations of nine (male) BH4-responsive PKU patients, when being treated without and with BH4. Blood prolactin concentrations positively correlated to blood phenylalanine concentrations (p=0.002), being significantly lower with than without BH4 treatment (p=0.047). In addition, even in this small number of male patients, blood prolactin concentrations tended to be lower at increasing BH4 dose (p=0.054), while taking blood phenylalanine concentrations into account (p=0.002). In individual BH4-responsive patients, median blood prolactin concentrations were significantly lower while using BH4 than before using BH4 treatment (p=0.024), whereas median blood phenylalanine concentrations tended to be lower, but this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.107). Therefore, these data show that high blood phenylalanine in BH4-responsive PKU male patients seems to be associated with increased blood prolactin concentrations, suggesting reduced cerebral dopamine availability. Moreover, these data suggest that BH4 treatment in itself could decrease blood prolactin concentrations in a dose-responsive way, independent of blood phenylalanine concentrations. We conclude that these preliminary data indicate that BH4 treatment may improve cerebral dopamine concentrations in PKU patients beyond its effect through lowering blood phenylalanine concentrations, possibly in a dose-dependent manner, but further research would be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danique van Vliet
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, Center of Behavior and Neurosciences, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Karen Anjema
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne Jahja
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn J de Groot
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, Center of Behavior and Neurosciences, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Geertje B Liemburg
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M Rebecca Heiner-Fokkema
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eddy A van der Zee
- University of Groningen, Center of Behavior and Neurosciences, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Terry G J Derks
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ido P Kema
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Francjan J van Spronsen
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Cunningham A, Bausell H, Brown M, Chapman M, DeFouw K, Ernst S, McClure J, McCune H, O'Steen D, Pender A, Skrabal J, Wessel A, Jurecki E, Shediac R, Prasad S, Gillis J, Cederbaum S. Recommendations for the use of sapropterin in phenylketonuria. Mol Genet Metab 2012; 106:269-76. [PMID: 22575621 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2012.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 04/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited disorder of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism. Until recently, the only treatment for PKU was a Phe-restricted diet. Increasing evidence of suboptimal outcomes in diet-treated individuals, inconsistent PKU management practices, and the recent availability of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) therapy have fueled the need for new management and treatment recommendations for this metabolic disorder. BH(4), now available as sapropterin dihydrochloride (sapropterin), may offer the potential for improved metabolic control as well as enhanced dietary Phe tolerance in some PKU patients. A group of metabolic dietitians from North America convened in June 2011 to draft recommendations for the use of sapropterin therapy in PKU. Physicians with extensive experience in PKU management were invited at a later date to contribute to the development of these recommendations. Based on extensive clinical experience and current evidence, the present recommendations provide guidance from patient selection and determination of sapropterin response to the long-term management of patients on sapropterin therapy. Target Phe levels, nutritional adequacy, neurocognitive screening and adherence to treatment are addressed to optimize patient outcomes.
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Utz JRJ, Lorentz CP, Markowitz D, Rudser KD, Diethelm-Okita B, Erickson D, Whitley CB. START, a double blind, placebo-controlled pharmacogenetic test of responsiveness to sapropterin dihydrochloride in phenylketonuria patients. Mol Genet Metab 2012; 105:193-7. [PMID: 22112818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2011.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Revised: 10/23/2011] [Accepted: 10/23/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Sapropterin dihydrochloride, a synthetic tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), works as a chaperone of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) in phenylketonuria (PKU) to facilitate and stabilize folding of PAH into its most active conformation. No standard pharmacogenetic tests exist to identify responsive genotypes. Previous studies have failed to identify genotypes that consistently predict response; they are weakened by varied: 1) doses; 2) response definitions; 3) duration; 4) phenylalanine (PHE) test times during different protein catabolic states; 5) control of dietary PHE. START (sapropterin therapy actual response test) protocol is a double blind, placebo-controlled, 4-week clinical test that obviates the confounders aforementioned. START results were evaluated for response-genotype correlates and trends in molecular characteristics. RESULTS Seventy-four patients completed START. Thirty-six patients (48.6%) responded, 55 patients' genotypes are known, 38 unique genotypes are present. Alleles consistently associated with response include Y414C (8/8 patients, 6 genotypes) and I65T (9/9 patients, 6 genotypes). The p.R408W mutation, in which substitution of straight chain arginine with bulky aromatic amine, tryptophan, at the crux of a strategic hinge site activating folding of PAH, amino acid sequence 408, was strongly associated with non-response (21/29 patients non-responsive, 12/17 genotypes non-responsive). Genotypes containing at least one allele with ≥25% residual activity compared to wild type, were strongly associated with response. CONCLUSIONS The START protocol provides a rigorous pharmacogenetic test to identify sapropterin responsiveness and genotypes associated with responsiveness and non-responsiveness. Some genotypes were found to be predictive of responsiveness or non-responsiveness, and responsiveness was associated with specific alleles. The START protocol provides a reliable test for sapropterin responsiveness and will continue to improve understanding of how PKU mutations impact PAH protein-folding dynamics and enhance understanding of PKU disease and its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanine R Jarnes Utz
- University of Minnesota, Fairview, Department of Pediatrics, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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