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Martínez-Pizarro A, Picó S, López-Márquez A, Rodriguez-López C, Montalvo E, Alvarez M, Castro M, Ramón-Maiques S, Pérez B, Lucas JJ, Richard E, Desviat LR. PAH deficient pathology in humanized c.1066-11G>A phenylketonuria mice. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:1074-1089. [PMID: 38520741 PMCID: PMC11153335 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae051] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We have generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology a partially humanized mouse model of the neurometabolic disease phenylketonuria (PKU), carrying the highly prevalent PAH variant c.1066-11G>A. This variant creates an alternative 3' splice site, leading to the inclusion of 9 nucleotides coding for 3 extra amino acids between Q355 and Y356 of the protein. Homozygous Pah c.1066-11A mice, with a partially humanized intron 10 sequence with the variant, accurately recapitulate the splicing defect and present almost undetectable hepatic PAH activity. They exhibit fur hypopigmentation, lower brain and body weight and reduced survival. Blood and brain phenylalanine levels are elevated, along with decreased tyrosine, tryptophan and monoamine neurotransmitter levels. They present behavioral deficits, mainly hypoactivity and diminished social interaction, locomotor deficiencies and an abnormal hind-limb clasping reflex. Changes in the morphology of glial cells, increased GFAP and Iba1 staining signals and decreased myelinization are observed. Hepatic tissue exhibits nearly absent PAH protein, reduced levels of chaperones DNAJC12 and HSP70 and increased autophagy markers LAMP1 and LC3BII, suggesting possible coaggregation of mutant PAH with chaperones and subsequent autophagy processing. This PKU mouse model with a prevalent human variant represents a useful tool for pathophysiology research and for novel therapies development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainhoa Martínez-Pizarro
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biología Molecular, UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz (IdiPaz), Pedro Rico, 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Picó
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Arístides López-Márquez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biología Molecular, UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Rodriguez-López
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Montalvo
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biología Molecular, UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Alvarez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Margarita Castro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz (IdiPaz), Pedro Rico, 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Moleculares (CEDEM), Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Ramón-Maiques
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia (IBV-CSIC), Jaume Roig, 11, 46010 València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Belén Pérez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biología Molecular, UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz (IdiPaz), Pedro Rico, 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Moleculares (CEDEM), Francisco Tomás y Valiente 7, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - José J Lucas
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Richard
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biología Molecular, UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz (IdiPaz), Pedro Rico, 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lourdes R Desviat
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Biología Molecular, UAM, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital La Paz (IdiPaz), Pedro Rico, 6, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Delbreil P, Dhondt S, Kenaan El Rahbani RM, Banquy X, Mitchell JJ, Brambilla D. Current Advances and Material Innovations in the Search for Novel Treatments of Phenylketonuria. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2401353. [PMID: 38801163 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202401353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetically inherited disease caused by a mutation of the gene encoding phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and is the most common inborn error of amino acid metabolism. A deficiency of PAH leads to increased blood and brain levels of phenylalanine (Phe), which may cause permanent neurocognitive symptoms and developmental delays if untreated. Current management strategies for PKU consist of early detection through neonatal screening and implementation of a restrictive diet with minimal amounts of natural protein in combination with Phe-free supplements and low-protein foods to meet nutritional requirements. For milder forms of PKU, oral treatment with synthetic sapropterin (BH4), the cofactor of PAH, may improve metabolic control of Phe and allow for more natural protein to be included in the patient's diet. For more severe forms, daily injections of pegvaliase, a PEGylated variant of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), may allow for normalization of blood Phe levels. However, the latter treatment has considerable drawbacks, notably a strong immunogenicity of the exogenous enzyme and the attached polymeric chains. Research for novel therapies of PKU makes use of innovative materials for drug delivery and state-of-the-art protein engineering techniques to develop treatments which are safer, more effective, and potentially permanent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Delbreil
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Sofie Dhondt
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | | | - Xavier Banquy
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - John J Mitchell
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Davide Brambilla
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université de Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
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3
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Martinez M, Harding CO, Schwank G, Thöny B. State-of-the-art 2023 on gene therapy for phenylketonuria. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:80-92. [PMID: 37401651 PMCID: PMC10764640 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) or hyperphenylalaninemia is considered a paradigm for an inherited (metabolic) liver defect and is, based on murine models that replicate all human pathology, an exemplar model for experimental studies on liver gene therapy. Variants in the PAH gene that lead to hyperphenylalaninemia are never fatal (although devastating if untreated), newborn screening has been available for two generations, and dietary treatment has been considered for a long time as therapeutic and satisfactory. However, significant shortcomings of contemporary dietary treatment of PKU remain. A long list of various gene therapeutic experimental approaches using the classical model for human PKU, the homozygous enu2/2 mouse, witnesses the value of this model to develop treatment for a genetic liver defect. The list of experiments for proof of principle includes recombinant viral (AdV, AAV, and LV) and non-viral (naked DNA or LNP-mRNA) vector delivery methods, combined with gene addition, genome, gene or base editing, and gene insertion or replacement. In addition, a list of current and planned clinical trials for PKU gene therapy is included. This review summarizes, compares, and evaluates the various approaches for the sake of scientific understanding and efficacy testing that may eventually pave the way for safe and efficient human application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Martinez
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Cary O. Harding
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Gerald Schwank
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital Zurich and Children’s Research Centre, Zurich, Switzerland
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Ji T, Pang Y, Cheng M, Wang R, Chen X, Zhang C, Liu M, Zhang J, Zhong C. Deletion of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), but not GCPIII, provided long-term benefits in mice with traumatic brain injury. CNS Neurosci Ther 2023; 29:3786-3801. [PMID: 37349952 PMCID: PMC10651966 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
MAIN PROBLEM N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) has neuroprotective effects in traumatic brain injury (TBI) by activating metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGluR3) and reducing glutamate release. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is the primary enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of NAAG. It remains unclear whether glutamate carboxypeptidase III (GCPIII), a homolog of GCPII, can partially compensate for GCPII's function. METHODS GCPII-/- , GCPIII-/- , and GCPII/III-/- mice were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Mice brain injury model was established through moderate controlled cortical impact (CCI). The relationship between GCPII and GCPIII was explored by analyzing injury response signals in the hippocampus and cortex of mice with different genotypes at the acute (1 day) and subacute (7 day) phase after TBI. RESULTS In this study, we found that deletion of GCPII reduced glutamate production, excitotoxicity, and neuronal damage and improved cognitive function, but GCPIII deletion had no significant neuroprotective effect. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the neuroprotective effect between the combination of GCPII and GCPIII deletion and GCPII deletion alone. CONCLUSION These results suggest that GCPII inhibition may be a therapeutic option for TBI, and that GCPIII may not act as a complementary enzyme to GCPII in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongjie Ji
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Pang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Meng Cheng
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chunyu Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Min Liu
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
- Institute for Advanced StudyTongji UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chunlong Zhong
- Department of NeurosurgeryShanghai East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji UniversityShanghaiChina
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Henn D, Zhao D, Sivaraj D, Trotsyuk A, Bonham CA, Fischer KS, Kehl T, Fehlmann T, Greco AH, Kussie HC, Moortgat Illouz SE, Padmanabhan J, Barrera JA, Kneser U, Lenhof HP, Januszyk M, Levi B, Keller A, Longaker MT, Chen K, Qi LS, Gurtner GC. Cas9-mediated knockout of Ndrg2 enhances the regenerative potential of dendritic cells for wound healing. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4729. [PMID: 37550295 PMCID: PMC10406832 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40519-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic wounds impose a significant healthcare burden to a broad patient population. Cell-based therapies, while having shown benefits for the treatment of chronic wounds, have not yet achieved widespread adoption into clinical practice. We developed a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to precisely edit murine dendritic cells to enhance their therapeutic potential for healing chronic wounds. Using single-cell RNA sequencing of tolerogenic dendritic cells, we identified N-myc downregulated gene 2 (Ndrg2), which marks a specific population of dendritic cell progenitors, as a promising target for CRISPR knockout. Ndrg2-knockout alters the transcriptomic profile of dendritic cells and preserves an immature cell state with a strong pro-angiogenic and regenerative capacity. We then incorporated our CRISPR-based cell engineering within a therapeutic hydrogel for in vivo cell delivery and developed an effective translational approach for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy that accelerated healing of full-thickness wounds in both non-diabetic and diabetic mouse models. These findings could open the door to future clinical trials using safe gene editing in dendritic cells for treating various types of chronic wounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Henn
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Dehua Zhao
- Department of Bioengineering, Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dharshan Sivaraj
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Artem Trotsyuk
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Clark Andrew Bonham
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katharina S Fischer
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Tim Kehl
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tobias Fehlmann
- Chair for Clinical Bioinformatics, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Autumn H Greco
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Hudson C Kussie
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sylvia E Moortgat Illouz
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jagannath Padmanabhan
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Janos A Barrera
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ulrich Kneser
- Department of Hand, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Lenhof
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Michael Januszyk
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Levi
- Department of Burn, Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Andreas Keller
- Center for Bioinformatics, Saarland Informatics Campus, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Michael T Longaker
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kellen Chen
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Lei S Qi
- Department of Bioengineering, Sarafan ChEM-H, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Geoffrey C Gurtner
- Hagey Laboratory for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
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6
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Applying the CRISPR/Cas9 for treating human and animal diseases: a comprehensive review. ANNALS OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.2478/aoas-2023-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Recently, genome editing tools have been extensively used in many biomedical sciences. The gene editing system is applied to modify the DNA sequences in the cellular system to comprehend their physiological response. A developing genome editing technology like clustered regularly short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) is widely expended in medical sciences. CRISPR and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system is being exploited to edit any DNA mutations related to inherited ailments to investigate in animals (in vivo) and cell lines (in vitro). Remarkably, CRISPR/Cas9 could be employed to examine treatments of many human genetic diseases such as Cystic fibrosis, Tyrosinemia, Phenylketonuria, Muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, Retinoschisis, Hemophilia, β-Thalassemia and Atherosclerosis. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9 was used for disease resistance such as Tuberculosis, Johne’s diseases, chronic enteritis, and Brucellosis in animals. Finally, this review discusses existing progress in treating hereditary diseases using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and the high points accompanying obstacles.
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Elhawary NA, AlJahdali IA, Abumansour IS, Elhawary EN, Gaboon N, Dandini M, Madkhali A, Alosaimi W, Alzahrani A, Aljohani F, Melibary EM, Kensara OA. Genetic etiology and clinical challenges of phenylketonuria. Hum Genomics 2022; 16:22. [PMID: 35854334 PMCID: PMC9295449 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00398-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, genetic etiology, and management of phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU, an autosomal recessive disease, is an inborn error of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism caused by pathogenic variants in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene. The prevalence of PKU varies widely among ethnicities and geographic regions, affecting approximately 1 in 24,000 individuals worldwide. Deficiency in the PAH enzyme or, in rare cases, the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin results in high blood Phe concentrations, causing brain dysfunction. Untreated PKU, also known as PAH deficiency, results in severe and irreversible intellectual disability, epilepsy, behavioral disorders, and clinical features such as acquired microcephaly, seizures, psychological signs, and generalized hypopigmentation of skin (including hair and eyes). Severe phenotypes are classic PKU, and less severe forms of PAH deficiency are moderate PKU, mild PKU, mild hyperphenylalaninaemia (HPA), or benign HPA. Early diagnosis and intervention must start shortly after birth to prevent major cognitive and neurological effects. Dietary treatment, including natural protein restriction and Phe-free supplements, must be used to maintain blood Phe concentrations of 120-360 μmol/L throughout the life span. Additional treatments include the casein glycomacropeptide (GMP), which contains very limited aromatic amino acids and may improve immunological function, and large neutral amino acid (LNAA) supplementation to prevent plasma Phe transport into the brain. The synthetic BH4 analog, sapropterin hydrochloride (i.e., Kuvan®, BioMarin), is another potential treatment that activates residual PAH, thus decreasing Phe concentrations in the blood of PKU patients. Moreover, daily subcutaneous injection of pegylated Phe ammonia-lyase (i.e., pegvaliase; PALYNZIQ®, BioMarin) has promised gene therapy in recent clinical trials, and mRNA approaches are also being studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser A. Elhawary
- grid.412832.e0000 0000 9137 6644Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 57543, Mecca, 21955 Saudi Arabia
| | - Imad A. AlJahdali
- grid.412832.e0000 0000 9137 6644Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 57543, Mecca, 21955 Saudi Arabia
| | - Iman S. Abumansour
- grid.412832.e0000 0000 9137 6644Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 57543, Mecca, 21955 Saudi Arabia
| | - Ezzeldin N. Elhawary
- grid.123047.30000000103590315Faculty of Medicine, MS Genomic Medicine Program, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Nagwa Gaboon
- grid.7269.a0000 0004 0621 1570Department of Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Dandini
- Department of Laboratory and Blood Bank, Maternity and Children Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulelah Madkhali
- grid.415254.30000 0004 1790 7311Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wafaa Alosaimi
- Department of Hematology, Maternity and Children Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed Alzahrani
- Department of Laboratory and Blood Bank at Maternity and Children Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawzia Aljohani
- Department of Pediatric Clinics, Maternity and Children Hospital, King Salman Medical City, Madinah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ehab M. Melibary
- grid.412832.e0000 0000 9137 6644Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 57543, Mecca, 21955 Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama A. Kensara
- grid.412832.e0000 0000 9137 6644Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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8
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Manek R, Zhang YV, Berthelette P, Hossain M, Cornell CS, Gans J, Anarat-Cappillino G, Geller S, Jackson R, Yu D, Singh K, Ryan S, Bangari DS, Xu EY, Kyostio-Moore SRM. Blood phenylalanine reduction reverses gene expression changes observed in a mouse model of phenylketonuria. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22886. [PMID: 34819582 PMCID: PMC8613214 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02267-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) in liver resulting in blood phenylalanine (Phe) elevation and neurotoxicity. A pegylated phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PEG-PAL) metabolizing Phe into cinnamic acid was recently approved as treatment for PKU patients. A potentially one-time rAAV-based delivery of PAH gene into liver to convert Phe into tyrosine (Tyr), a normal way of Phe metabolism, has now also entered the clinic. To understand differences between these two Phe lowering strategies, we evaluated PAH and PAL expression in livers of PAHenu2 mice on brain and liver functions. Both lowered brain Phe and increased neurotransmitter levels and corrected animal behavior. However, PAL delivery required dose optimization, did not elevate brain Tyr levels and resulted in an immune response. The effect of hyperphenylalanemia on liver functions in PKU mice was assessed by transcriptome and proteomic analyses. We observed an elevation in Cyp4a10/14 proteins involved in lipid metabolism and upregulation of genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis. Majority of the gene expression changes were corrected by PAH and PAL delivery though the role of these changes in PKU pathology is currently unclear. Taken together, here we show that blood Phe lowering strategy using PAH or PAL corrects both brain pathology as well as previously unknown lipid metabolism associated pathway changes in liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachna Manek
- Genomic Medicine Unit, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA.
| | - Yao V Zhang
- Genomic Medicine Unit, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Gans
- Translational Sciences, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | - Sarah Geller
- Pre-Development Sciences NA, Analytical R&D, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | - Dan Yu
- Genomic Medicine Unit, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Kuldeep Singh
- Global Discovery Pathology, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | - Sue Ryan
- Global Discovery Pathology, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
| | | | - Ethan Y Xu
- Translational Sciences, Sanofi, Framingham, MA, USA
- Excision BioTherapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA
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