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Prencipe F, Barzan C, Savian C, Spalluto G, Carosati E, De Amici M, Mosconi G, Gianferrara T, Federico S, Da Ros T. Gaucher Disease: A Glance from a Medicinal Chemistry Perspective. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300641. [PMID: 38329692 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Rare diseases are particular pathological conditions affecting a limited number of people and few drugs are known to be effective as therapeutic treatment. Gaucher disease, caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, belongs to this class of disorders, and it is considered the most common among the Lysosomal Storage Diseases. The two main therapeutic approaches are the Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) and the Substrate Reduction Therapy (SRT). ERT, consisting in replacing the defective enzyme by administering a recombinant enzyme, is effective in alleviating the visceral symptoms, hallmarks of the most common subtype of the disease whereas it has no effects when symptoms involve CNS, since the recombinant protein is unable to significantly cross the Blood Brain Barrier. The SRT strategy involves inhibiting glucosylceramide synthase (GCS), the enzyme responsible for the production of the associated storage molecule. The rational design of new inhibitors of GCS has been hampered by the lack of either the crystal structure of the enzyme or an in-silico model of the active site which could provide important information regarding the interactions of potential inhibitors with the target, but, despite this, interesting results have been obtained and are herein reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Prencipe
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Chiara Barzan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
- Molecular Genetics Institute, CNR Via Abbiategrasso 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Chiara Savian
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giampiero Spalluto
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Emanuele Carosati
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Marco De Amici
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milano Via Luigi Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Giorgio Mosconi
- Fidia Farmaceutici Via Ponte della Fabbrica 3/A, 35021, Abano Terme, Italy
| | - Teresa Gianferrara
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stephanie Federico
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Tatiana Da Ros
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Licio Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
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Kulkarni A, Chen T, Sidransky E, Han TU. Advancements in Viral Gene Therapy for Gaucher Disease. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:364. [PMID: 38540423 PMCID: PMC10970163 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Gaucher disease, an autosomal recessively inherited lysosomal storage disorder, results from biallelic mutations in the GBA1 gene resulting in deficient activity of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase. In Gaucher disease, the reduced levels and activity of glucocerebrosidase lead to a disparity in the rates of formation and breakdown of glucocerebroside and glucosylsphingosine, resulting in the accumulation of these lipid substrates in the lysosome. This gives rise to the development of Gaucher cells, engorged macrophages with a characteristic wrinkled tissue paper appearance. There are both non-neuronopathic (type 1) and neuronopathic (types 2 and 3) forms of Gaucher disease, associated with varying degrees of severity. The visceral and hematologic manifestations of Gaucher disease respond well to both enzyme replacement therapy and substrate reduction therapy. However, these therapies do not improve the neuronopathic manifestations, as they cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. There is now an established precedent for treating lysosomal storage disorders with gene therapy strategies, as many have the potential to cross into the brain. The range of the gene therapies being employed is broad, but this review aimed to discuss the progress, advances, and challenges in developing viral gene therapy as a treatment for Gaucher disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ellen Sidransky
- Section on Molecular Neurogenetics, Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Building 35A, Room 1E623, 35A Convent Drive, MSC 3708, Bethesda, MD 20892-3708, USA; (A.K.); (T.C.); (T.-U.H.)
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Yamaguchi-Takegami N, Takahashi A, Mitsui J, Sugiyama Y, Chikada A, Porto KJL, Takegami N, Sakuishi K, Ishiura H, Yamada K, Shimizu J, Tsuji S, Toda T. Late-onset Myoclonic Seizure in a 78-year-old Woman with Gaucher Disease. Intern Med 2024; 63:861-865. [PMID: 37558486 PMCID: PMC11008993 DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1699-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
We herein report a 78-year-old woman with Gaucher disease (GD) who was initially diagnosed with GD type 1, had been receiving long-term enzyme replacement therapy since 58 years old, and developed neurological manifestations in her 70s. The neurological manifestations included myoclonic seizures and progressive cognitive decline. Although it is rare for GD patients to first develop neurologic manifestations at such an advanced age, physicians engaged in long-term care for GD patients should be alert for this possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Akiko Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Mitsui
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Molecular Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Sugiyama
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Health Administration/Prevention Medicine, Sanraku Hospital, Japan
| | - Ayaka Chikada
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurology, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Japan
| | | | - Naoki Takegami
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaori Sakuishi
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ishiura
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaoru Yamada
- Department of Health Administration/Prevention Medicine, Sanraku Hospital, Japan
| | - Jun Shimizu
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medical Health, Tokyo University of Technology, Japan
| | - Shoji Tsuji
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Molecular Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Medical Genomics, International University of Health and Welfare, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Toda
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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Fisher-Wellman KH, Kassai M, Hagen JT, Neufer PD, Kester M, Loughran TP, Chalfant CE, Feith DJ, Tan SF, Fox TE, Ung J, Fabrias G, Abad JL, Sharma A, Golla U, Claxton DF, Shaw JJP, Bhowmick D, Cabot MC. Simultaneous Inhibition of Ceramide Hydrolysis and Glycosylation Synergizes to Corrupt Mitochondrial Respiration and Signal Caspase Driven Cell Death in Drug-Resistant Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1883. [PMID: 36980769 PMCID: PMC10046858 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the most prevalent acute and aggressive leukemia diagnosed in adults, often recurs as a difficult-to-treat, chemotherapy-resistant disease. Because chemotherapy resistance is a major obstacle to successful treatment, novel therapeutic intervention is needed. Upregulated ceramide clearance via accelerated hydrolysis and glycosylation has been shown to be an element in chemotherapy-resistant AML, a problem considering the crucial role ceramide plays in eliciting apoptosis. Herein we employed agents that block ceramide clearance to determine if such a "reset" would be of therapeutic benefit. SACLAC was utilized to limit ceramide hydrolysis, and D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-threo-PDMP) was used to block the glycosylation route. The SACLAC D-threo-PDMP inhibitor combination was synergistically cytotoxic in drug-resistant, P-glycoprotein-expressing (P-gp) AML but not in wt, P-gp-poor cells. Interestingly, P-gp antagonists that can limit ceramide glycosylation via depression of glucosylceramide transit also synergized with SACLAC, suggesting a paradoxical role for P-gp in the implementation of cell death. Mechanistically, cell death was accompanied by a complete drop in ceramide glycosylation, concomitant, striking increases in all molecular species of ceramide, diminished sphingosine 1-phosphate levels, resounding declines in mitochondrial respiratory kinetics, altered Akt, pGSK-3β, and Mcl-1 expression, and caspase activation. Although ceramide was generated in wt cells upon inhibitor exposure, mitochondrial respiration was not corrupted, suggestive of mitochondrial vulnerability in the drug-resistant phenotype, a potential therapeutic avenue. The inhibitor regimen showed efficacy in an in vivo model and in primary AML cells from patients. These results support the implementation of SL enzyme targeting to limit ceramide clearance as a therapeutic strategy in chemotherapy-resistant AML, inclusive of a novel indication for the use of P-gp antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey H. Fisher-Wellman
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Miki Kassai
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - James T. Hagen
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - P. Darrell Neufer
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Thomas P. Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Charles E. Chalfant
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Research Service, Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - David J. Feith
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Todd E. Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Johnson Ung
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose’ Luis Abad
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arati Sharma
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Upendarrao Golla
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - David F. Claxton
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Jeremy J. P. Shaw
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Debajit Bhowmick
- Flow Cytometry Division, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Myles C. Cabot
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
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Inhibitors of Glucosylceramide Synthase. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2613:271-288. [PMID: 36587085 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2910-9_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Glucosylceramide synthase can be targeted by high affinity small molecular weight inhibitors for the study of glycosphingolipid metabolism and function or for the treatment of glycosphingolipid storage disorders, including Gaucher and Fabry disease. This work is exemplified by the discovery and development of eliglustat tartrate, the first stand-alone small chemical entity approved for the treatment of Gaucher disease type 1. The development of inhibitors of glucosylceramide synthase that have utility for either research or clinical purposes begins with a testing funnel for screening candidate inhibitors for activity against this enzyme and for activity in lowering the content of glucosylceramide in intact cells. Two common assays for glucosylceramide synthase, one enzyme based and another cell based, are the focus of this chapter.
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Liu Y, Thaker H, Wang C, Xu Z, Dong M. Diagnosis and Treatment for Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 15:10. [PMID: 36668830 PMCID: PMC9862836 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (STEC-HUS) is a clinical syndrome involving hemolytic anemia (with fragmented red blood cells), low levels of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia), and acute kidney injury (AKI). It is the major infectious cause of AKI in children. In severe cases, neurological complications and even death may occur. Treating STEC-HUS is challenging, as patients often already have organ injuries when they seek medical treatment. Early diagnosis is of great significance for improving prognosis and reducing mortality and sequelae. In this review, we first briefly summarize the diagnostics for STEC-HUS, including history taking, clinical manifestations, fecal and serological detection methods for STEC, and complement activation monitoring. We also summarize preventive and therapeutic strategies for STEC-HUS, such as vaccines, volume expansion, renal replacement therapy (RRT), antibiotics, plasma exchange, antibodies and inhibitors that interfere with receptor binding, and the intracellular trafficking of the Shiga toxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hatim Thaker
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Zhonggao Xu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Min Dong
- Department of Urology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Boddupalli CS, Nair S, Belinsky G, Gans J, Teeple E, Nguyen TH, Mehta S, Guo L, Kramer ML, Ruan J, Wang H, Davison M, Kumar D, Vidyadhara DJ, Zhang B, Klinger K, Mistry PK. Neuroinflammation in neuronopathic Gaucher disease: Role of microglia and NK cells, biomarkers, and response to substrate reduction therapy. eLife 2022; 11:e79830. [PMID: 35972072 PMCID: PMC9381039 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic mutations in GBA and buildup of glycosphingolipids in lysosomes. Neuronal injury and cell death are prominent pathological features; however, the role of GBA in individual cell types and involvement of microglia, blood-derived macrophages, and immune infiltrates in nGD pathophysiology remains enigmatic. Methods Here, using single-cell resolution of mouse nGD brains, lipidomics, and newly generated biomarkers, we found induction of neuroinflammation pathways involving microglia, NK cells, astrocytes, and neurons. Results Targeted rescue of Gba in microglia and neurons, respectively, in Gba-deficient, nGD mice reversed the buildup of glucosylceramide (GlcCer) and glucosylsphingosine (GlcSph), concomitant with amelioration of neuroinflammation, reduced serum neurofilament light chain (Nf-L), and improved survival. Serum GlcSph concentration was correlated with serum Nf-L and ApoE in nGD mouse models as well as in GD patients. Gba rescue in microglia/macrophage compartment prolonged survival, which was further enhanced upon treatment with brain-permeant inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase, effects mediated via improved glycosphingolipid homeostasis, and reversal of neuroinflammation involving activation of microglia, brain macrophages, and NK cells. Conclusions Together, our study delineates individual cellular effects of Gba deficiency in nGD brains, highlighting the central role of neuroinflammation driven by microglia activation. Brain-permeant small-molecule inhibitor of glucosylceramide synthase reduced the accumulation of bioactive glycosphingolipids, concomitant with amelioration of neuroinflammation involving microglia, NK cells, astrocytes, and neurons. Our findings advance nGD disease biology whilst identifying compelling biomarkers of nGD to improve patient management, enrich clinical trials, and illuminate therapeutic targets. Funding Research grant from Sanofi; other support includes R01NS110354, Yale Liver Center P30DK034989, pilot project grant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shiny Nair
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Glenn Belinsky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Joseph Gans
- Translational Sciences, SanofiFraminghamUnited States
| | - Erin Teeple
- Translational Sciences, SanofiFraminghamUnited States
| | | | - Sameet Mehta
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Lilu Guo
- Translational Sciences, SanofiFraminghamUnited States
| | | | - Jiapeng Ruan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Honggge Wang
- Translational Sciences, SanofiFraminghamUnited States
| | | | - Dinesh Kumar
- Translational Sciences, SanofiFraminghamUnited States
| | - DJ Vidyadhara
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Bailin Zhang
- Translational Sciences, SanofiFraminghamUnited States
| | | | - Pramod K Mistry
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Yale School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
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Katzy RE, Ferraz MJ, Hazeu M, Overkleeft HS, Aerts JMFG. In situ glucosylceramide synthesis and its pharmacological inhibition analysed in cells by 13 C 5 -sphingosine precursor feeding and mass spectrometry. FEBS Lett 2022; 596:2400-2408. [PMID: 35796054 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids fulfil diverse functions in cells. Abnormalities in their metabolism are associated with specific pathologies and, consequently, the pharmacological modulation of glycosphingolipids is considered a therapeutic avenue. The accurate measurement of in situ metabolism of glycosphingolipids and the modulatory impact of drugs is warranted. Employing synthesized sphingosine and sphinganine containing 13 C atoms, we developed a method to monitor the de novo synthesis of glucosylceramide, the precursor of complex glycosphingolipids, by the enzyme glucosylceramide synthase (GCS). We show that feeding cells with isotope-labelled precursor combined with LC-MS/MS analysis allows accurate determination of the IC50 values of therapeutically considered inhibitors (iminosugars and ceramide mimics) of GCS in cultured cells. Acquired data were comparable to those obtained with an earlier method using artificial fluorescently labelled ceramide to feed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Katzy
- Dept. Medical Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Maria J Ferraz
- Dept. Medical Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Marc Hazeu
- Dept. Medical Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Hermen S Overkleeft
- Dept. Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes M F G Aerts
- Dept. Medical Biochemistry, Leiden Institute of Chemistry (LIC), Leiden University, The Netherlands
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9
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Kong W, Lu C, Ding Y, Meng Y. Update of treatment for Gaucher disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 926:175023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.175023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Zaccariotto E, Cachón-González MB, Wang B, Lim S, Hirth B, Park H, Fezoui M, Sardi SP, Mason P, Barker RH, Cox TM. A novel brain-penetrant oral UGT8 inhibitor decreases in vivo galactosphingolipid biosynthesis in murine Krabbe disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 149:112808. [PMID: 35290889 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disease due to impaired lysosomal β-galactosylceramidase (GALC) activity and formation of neurotoxic β-galactosylsphingosine ('psychosine'). We investigated substrate reduction therapy with a novel brain-penetrant inhibitor of galactosylceramide biosynthesis, RA 5557, in twitcher mice that lack GALC activity and model Krabbe disease. This thienopyridine derivative selectively inhibits uridine diphosphate-galactose glycosyltransferase 8 (UGT8), the final step in the generation of galactosylceramides which are precursors of sulphatide and, in the pathological lysosome, the immediate source of psychosine. Administration of RA 5557, reduced pathologically elevated psychosine concentrations (72-86%) in the midbrain and cerebral cortex in twitcher mice: the inhibitor decreased galactosylceramides by about 70% in midbrain and cerebral cortex in mutant and wild type animals. Exposure to the inhibitor significantly decreased several characteristic inflammatory response markers without causing apparent toxicity to myelin-producing cells in wild type and mutant mice; transcript abundance of oligodendrocyte markers MBP (myelin basic protein) and murine UGT8 was unchanged. Administration of the inhibitor before conception and during several breeding cycles to mice did not impair fertility and gave rise to healthy offspring. Nevertheless, given the unchanged lifespan, it appears that GALC has critical functions in the nervous system beyond the hydrolysis of galactosylceramide and galactosylsphingosine. Our findings support further therapeutic exploration of orally active UGT8 inhibitors in Krabbe disease and related galactosphingolipid disorders. The potent thienopyridine derivative with effective target engagement here studied appears to have an acceptable safety profile in vivo; judicious dose optimization will be needed to ensure efficacious clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Zaccariotto
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Bing Wang
- Early Development, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Sungtaek Lim
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Bradford Hirth
- Integrated Drug Discovery, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Hyejung Park
- Early Development, Sanofi R&D, Waltham, MA, United States
| | - Malika Fezoui
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - S Pablo Sardi
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - Paul Mason
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - Robert H Barker
- Rare and Neurologic Disease Research, Sanofi R&D, Framingham, MA, United States
| | - Timothy M Cox
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Lipids in Pathophysiology and Development of the Membrane Lipid Therapy: New Bioactive Lipids. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11120919. [PMID: 34940418 PMCID: PMC8708953 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11120919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Membranes are mainly composed of a lipid bilayer and proteins, constituting a checkpoint for the entry and passage of signals and other molecules. Their composition can be modulated by diet, pathophysiological processes, and nutritional/pharmaceutical interventions. In addition to their use as an energy source, lipids have important structural and functional roles, e.g., fatty acyl moieties in phospholipids have distinct impacts on human health depending on their saturation, carbon length, and isometry. These and other membrane lipids have quite specific effects on the lipid bilayer structure, which regulates the interaction with signaling proteins. Alterations to lipids have been associated with important diseases, and, consequently, normalization of these alterations or regulatory interventions that control membrane lipid composition have therapeutic potential. This approach, termed membrane lipid therapy or membrane lipid replacement, has emerged as a novel technology platform for nutraceutical interventions and drug discovery. Several clinical trials and therapeutic products have validated this technology based on the understanding of membrane structure and function. The present review analyzes the molecular basis of this innovative approach, describing how membrane lipid composition and structure affects protein-lipid interactions, cell signaling, disease, and therapy (e.g., fatigue and cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, tumor, infectious diseases).
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Daykin EC, Ryan E, Sidransky E. Diagnosing neuronopathic Gaucher disease: New considerations and challenges in assigning Gaucher phenotypes. Mol Genet Metab 2021; 132:49-58. [PMID: 33483255 PMCID: PMC7884077 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2021.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Gaucher disease (GD), resulting from biallelic mutations in the gene GBA1, is a monogenic recessively inherited Mendelian disorder with a wide range of phenotypic presentations. The more severe forms of the disease, acute neuronopathic GD (GD2) and chronic neuronopathic GD (GD3), also have a continuum of disease severity with an overlap in manifestations and limited genotype-phenotype correlation. In very young patients, assigning a definitive diagnosis can sometimes be challenging. Several recent studies highlight specific features of neuronopathic GD that may provide diagnostic clues. Distinguishing between the different GD types has important therapeutic implications. Currently there are limited treatment options specifically for neuronopathic GD due to the difficulty in delivering therapies across the blood-brain barrier. In this work, we present both classic and newly appreciated aspects of the Gaucher phenotype that can aid in discriminating between acute and chronic neuronopathic GD, and highlight the continuing therapeutic challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily C Daykin
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Emory Ryan
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA
| | - Ellen Sidransky
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, USA.
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