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Ketata I, Ellouz E. From pathological mechanisms in Krabbe disease to cutting-edge therapy: A comprehensive review. Neuropathology 2024; 44:255-277. [PMID: 38444347 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Since its initial documentation by Knud Krabbe in 1916, numerous studies have scrutinized the characteristics of Krabbe disease (KD) until the identification of the mutation in the GALC gene. In alignment with that, we investigated the natural history of KD spanning eight decades to gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of its mechanisms. Through our comprehensive analysis, we unearthed additional novel elements in molecular biology involving the micropathological mechanism of the disease. This review offers an updated perspective on the metabolic disorder that defines KD. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs), autophagy impairment, and α-synuclein have emerged as pivotal players in the neuropathological processes. EVs might serve as a cellular mechanism to avoid or alleviate the detrimental impacts of excessive toxic psychosine levels, and extracting EVs could contribute to synapse dysfunction. Autophagy impairment was found to be independent of psychosine and reliant on AKT and B-cell lymphoma 2. Additionally, α-synuclein has been recognized for inducing cellular death and dysfunction in common biological pathways. Our objective is to assess the effectiveness of advanced therapies in addressing this particular condition. While hematopoietic stem cells have been a primary treatment, its administration proves challenging, particularly in the presymptomatic phase. In this review, we have compiled information from over 10 therapy trials, comparing them based on their benefits and disadvantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imen Ketata
- Neurology Department, University Hospital of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia
- Sfax University, Sfax Faculty of Medicine, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Emna Ellouz
- Neurology Department, University Hospital of Gabes, Gabes, Tunisia
- Sfax University, Sfax Faculty of Medicine, Sfax, Tunisia
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2
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Inamura N, Kawai T, Watanabe T, Aoki H, Aoyama M, Nakayama A, Matsuda J, Enokido Y. Promyelinating drugs ameliorate oligodendrocyte pathologies in a mouse model of Krabbe disease. Mol Genet Metab 2024; 142:108497. [PMID: 38763041 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2024.108497] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Krabbe disease (KD) is a rare inherited demyelinating disorder caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme galactosylceramide (GalCer) β-galactosidase. Most patients with KD exhibit fatal cerebral demyelination with apoptotic oligodendrocyte (OL) death and die before the age of 2-4 years. We have previously reported that primary OLs isolated from the brains of twitcher (twi) mice, an authentic mouse model of KD, have cell-autonomous developmental defects and undergo apoptotic death accompanied by abnormal accumulation of psychosine, an endogenous cytotoxic lyso-derivative of GalCer. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of the preclinical promyelinating drugs clemastine and Sob-AM2 on KD OL pathologies using primary OLs isolated from the brains of twi mice. Both agents specifically prevented the apoptotic death observed in twi OLs. However, while Sob-AM2 showed higher efficacy in restoring the impaired differentiation and maturation of twi OLs, clemastine more potently reduced the endogenous psychosine levels. These results present the first preclinical in vitro data, suggesting that clemastine and Sob-AM2 can act directly and distinctly on OLs in KD and ameliorate their cellular pathologies associated with myelin degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Inamura
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya-cho, Kasugai, Aichi 480-0392, Japan
| | - Taeko Kawai
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya-cho, Kasugai, Aichi 480-0392, Japan
| | - Takashi Watanabe
- Department of Pathophysiology and Metabolism, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Aoki
- Department of Pathobiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Mineyoshi Aoyama
- Department of Pathobiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603, Japan
| | - Atsuo Nakayama
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya-cho, Kasugai, Aichi 480-0392, Japan; Department of Neurobiochemistry, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi 466-8560, Japan
| | - Junko Matsuda
- Department of Pathophysiology and Metabolism, Kawasaki Medical School, 577 Matsushima, Kurashiki, Okayama 701-0192, Japan
| | - Yasushi Enokido
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Institute for Developmental Research, Aichi Developmental Disability Center, 713-8 Kamiya-cho, Kasugai, Aichi 480-0392, Japan.
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3
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Li T, Huang Y, Tao C, Yin X, Su X, Shao Y, Liang C, Jiang M, Cai Y, Lin Y, Zeng C, Zhao X, Liu L, Zhang W. Biochemical and molecular analysis of pediatric patients with metachromatic leukodystrophy in South China: functional characterization of five novel ARSA variants. Metab Brain Dis 2024; 39:753-762. [PMID: 38775997 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-024-01348-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). This study described the clinical and molecular characteristics of 24 Chinese children with MLD and investigated functional characterization of five novel ARSA variants. A retrospective analysis was performed in 24 patients diagnosed with MLD at Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center in South China. Five novel mutations were further characterized by transient expression studies. We recruited 17 late-infantile, 3 early-juvenile, 4 late-juvenile MLD patients. In late-infantile patients, motor developmental delay and gait disturbance were the most frequent symptoms at onset. In juvenile patients, cognitive regression and gait disturbance were the most frequent chief complaints. Overall, 25 different ARSA mutations were identified with 5 novel mutations.The most frequent alleles were p.W320* and p.G449Rfs. The mutation p.W320*, p.Q155=, p.P91L, p.G156D, p.H208Mfs*46 and p.G449Rfs may link to late-infantile type. The novel missense mutations were predicted damaging in silico. The bioinformatic structural analysis of the novel missense mutations showed that these amino acid replacements would cause severe impairment of protein structure and function. In vitro functional analysis of the six mutants, showing a low ARSA enzyme activity, clearly demonstrated their pathogenic nature. The mutation p.D413N linked to R alleles. In western blotting analysis of the ARSA protein, the examined mutations retained reduced amounts of ARSA protein compared to the wild type. This study expands the spectrum of genotype of MLD. It helps to the future studies of genotype-phenotype correlations to estimate prognosis and develop new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taolin Li
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yonglan Huang
- Department of Guangzhou Newborn Screening Center, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunyan Tao
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xi Yin
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueying Su
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongxian Shao
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Cuili Liang
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minyan Jiang
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanna Cai
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yunting Lin
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chunhua Zeng
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zhao
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Endocrinology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, 510623, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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4
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Singh N, Singh AK. In Silico Structural Modeling and Binding Site Analysis of Cerebroside Sulfotransferase (CST): A Therapeutic Target for Developing Substrate Reduction Therapy for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:10748-10768. [PMID: 38463293 PMCID: PMC10918841 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) is emerging as an important therapeutic target to develop substrate reduction therapy (SRT) for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder. MLD develops with progressive impairment and destruction of the myelin sheath as a result of accumulation of sulfatide around the nerve cells in the absence of its recycling mechanism with deficiency of arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Sulfatide is the product of the catalytic action of cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST), which needs to be regulated under pathophysiological conditions by inhibitor development. To carry out in silico-based preliminary drug screening or for designing new drug candidates, a high-quality three-dimensional (3D) structure is needed in the absence of an experimentally derived three-dimensional crystal structure. In this study, a 3D model of the protein was developed using a primary sequence with the SWISS-MODEL server by applying the top four GMEQ score-based templates belonging to the sulfotransferase family as a reference. The 3D model of CST highlights the features of the protein responsible for its catalytic action. The CST model comprises five β-strands, which are flanked by ten α-helices from both sides as well as form the upside cover of the catalytic pocket of CST. CST has two catalytic regions: PAPS (-sulfo donor) binding and galactosylceramide (-sulfo acceptor) binding. The catalytic action of CST was proposed via molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation with PAPS, galactosylceramide (GC), PAPS-galactosylceramide, and PAP. The stability of the model and its catalytic action were confirmed using molecular dynamic simulation-based trajectory analysis. CST response against the inhibition potential of the experimentally reported competitive inhibitor of CST was confirmed via molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, which suggested the suitability of the CST model for future drug discovery to strengthen substrate reduction therapy for MLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Singh
- Department of Dravyaguna,
Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical
Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Anil Kumar Singh
- Department of Dravyaguna,
Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical
Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
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5
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Singh N, Singh AK. A comprehensive review on structural and therapeutical insight of Cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) - An important target for development of substrate reduction therapy against metachromatic leukodystrophy. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 258:128780. [PMID: 38104688 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
This review is an effort towards the development of substrate reduction therapy using cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) as a target protein for the development of inhibitors intended to treat pathophysiological condition resulting from the accumulation of sulfatide, a product from the catalytic action of CST. Accumulation of sulfatides leads to progressive impairment and destruction of the myelin structure, disruption of normal physiological transmission of electrical impulse between nerve cells, axonal loss in the central and peripheral nervous system and cumulatively gives a clinical manifestation of metachromatic leukodystrophy. Thus, there is a need to develop specific and potent CST inhibitors to positively control sulfatide accumulation. Structural similarity and computational studies revealed that LYS85, SER172 and HIS141 are key catalytic residues that determine the catalytic action of CST through the transfer of sulfuryl group from the donor PAPS to the acceptor galactosylceramide. Computational studies revealed catalytic site of CST consists two binding site pocket including PAPS binding pocket and substrate binding pocket. Specific substrate site residues in CST can be targeted to develop specific CST inhibitors. This review also explores the challenges of CST-directed substrate reduction therapy as well as the opportunities available in natural products for inhibitor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Singh
- Department of Dravyaguna, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India.
| | - Anil Kumar Singh
- Department of Dravyaguna, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Maghazachi AA. Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (Krabbe Disease): An Update. Immunotargets Ther 2023; 12:105-111. [PMID: 37928748 PMCID: PMC10625317 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s424622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Globoid cell leukodystrophy or Krabbe is a disease that affects children as well as adults who have mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme galactosylceramidase/galctocerebrosidase (GALC), resulting in the deposition of the toxic lipid D-galactosyl-beta1-1' sphingosine (GalSph or psychosine). Several therapeutic modalities were used to treat patients with Krabbe disease, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, enzyme replacement therapy, autophagy activators, intravenous immunoglobulin, and inhibitors of the Pyroptosis process, among many other approaches. In this article, I will briefly discuss the disease in both human and animal model, describe recent clinical observations as well as methods utilizing genetic analysis for diagnosis, and finally review recent advances in treating this rare and devastating disease.
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Jonckheere AI, Kingma SDK, Eyskens F, Bordon V, Jansen AC. Metachromatic leukodystrophy: To screen or not to screen? Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2023; 46:1-7. [PMID: 37354699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the gene encoding arylsulfatase A. Disease onset is variable (with late infantile, early and late juvenile, and adult forms) and treatment options depend on age and disease symptoms at onset. In the past, allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been the best treatment option, following strict selection criteria. The outcome however is variable and morbidity remains high. This paved the way to the development of new treatment options, some of them aiming to be curative. In the light of this changing therapeutic field, newborn screening is becoming a valuable option. This narrative review aims to describe the outcome of allo-HSCT in the different MLD disease forms, and, in addition, reviews new treatment options. Finally, the shift of the field towards newborn screening for MLD is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- An I Jonckheere
- Department of Child Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium; Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - Sandra D K Kingma
- Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - François Eyskens
- Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Victoria Bordon
- Department of Child Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anna C Jansen
- Department of Child Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
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8
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Heller G, Bradbury AM, Sands MS, Bongarzone ER. Preclinical studies in Krabbe disease: A model for the investigation of novel combination therapies for lysosomal storage diseases. Mol Ther 2023; 31:7-23. [PMID: 36196048 PMCID: PMC9840155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease (KD) is a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by mutations in the galc gene. There are over 50 monogenetic LSDs, which largely impede the normal development of children and often lead to premature death. At present, there are no cures for LSDs and the available treatments are generally insufficient, short acting, and not without co-morbidities or long-term side effects. The last 30 years have seen significant advances in our understanding of LSD pathology as well as treatment options. Two gene therapy-based clinical trials, NCT04693598 and NCT04771416, for KD were recently started based on those advances. This review will discuss how our knowledge of KD got to where it is today, focusing on preclinical investigations, and how what was discovered may prove beneficial for the treatment of other LSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Heller
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St M/C 512, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Allison M Bradbury
- Center for Gene Therapy, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Abigail Wexner Research Institute Nationwide Children's Hospital Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
| | - Mark S Sands
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Box 8007, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue Box 8007, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Ernesto R Bongarzone
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St M/C 512, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Human iPSC-derived astrocytes generated from donors with globoid cell leukodystrophy display phenotypes associated with disease. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271360. [PMID: 35921286 PMCID: PMC9348679 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Globoid cell leukodystrophy (Krabbe disease) is a fatal neurodegenerative, demyelinating disease caused by dysfunctional activity of galactosylceramidase (GALC), leading to the accumulation of glycosphingolipids including psychosine. While oligodendrocytes have been extensively studied due to their high levels of GALC, the contribution of astrocytes to disease pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated. In the current study, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from two donors with infantile onset Krabbe disease and differentiated them into cultures of astrocytes. Krabbe astrocytes recapitulated many key findings observed in humans and rodent models of the disease, including the accumulation of psychosine and elevated expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Unexpectedly, Krabbe astrocytes had higher levels of glucosylceramide and ceramide, and displayed compensatory changes in genes encoding glycosphingolipid biosynthetic enzymes, suggesting a shunting away from the galactosylceramide and psychosine pathway. In co-culture, Krabbe astrocytes negatively impacted the survival of iPSC-derived human neurons while enhancing survival of iPSC-derived human microglia. Substrate reduction approaches targeting either glucosylceramide synthase or serine palmitoyltransferase to reduce the sphingolipids elevated in Krabbe astrocytes failed to rescue their detrimental impact on neuron survival. Our results suggest that astrocytes may contribute to the progression of Krabbe disease and warrant further exploration into their role as therapeutic targets.
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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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The PGRMC1 Antagonist AG-205 Inhibits Synthesis of Galactosylceramide and Sulfatide. Cells 2021; 10:cells10123520. [PMID: 34944026 PMCID: PMC8700550 DOI: 10.3390/cells10123520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfatide synthesis in the human renal cancer cell line SMKT-R3 was strongly inhibited in the presence of low µM concentrations of AG-205, a progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) antagonist. This was also the case in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with UDP-galactose: ceramide galactosyltransferase and cerebroside sulfotransferase, the two enzymes required for sulfatide synthesis. In CHO cells synthesizing galactosylceramide but not sulfatide, galactosylceramide was also strongly reduced, suggesting an effect at the level of galactolipid synthesis. Notably, AG-205 inhibited galactosylceramide synthesis to a similar extent in wild type CHO cells and cells that lack PGRMC1 and/or PGRMC2. In vitro enzyme activity assays showed that AG-205 is an inhibitor of UDP-galactose: ceramide galactosyltransferase, but not cerebroside sulfotransferase. This study shows that PGRMC1 is only one of several targets of AG-205 and should be used with caution, especially in studies using cells synthesizing galactosylceramide and sulfatide.
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12
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LeVine SM, Tsau S. Substrate Reduction Therapy for Krabbe Disease: Exploring the Repurposing of the Antibiotic D-Cycloserine. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:807973. [PMID: 35118033 PMCID: PMC8804370 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.807973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Krabbe disease is a lysosomal storage disease that is caused by a deficiency in galactosylceramidase. Infantile onset disease is the most common presentation, which includes progressive neurological deterioration with corresponding demyelination, development of globoid cells, astrocyte gliosis, etc. Hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a disease modifying therapy, but this intervention is insufficient with many patients still experiencing developmental delays and progressive deterioration. Preclinical studies have used animal models, e.g., twitcher mice, to test different experimental therapies resulting in developments that have led to progressive improvements in the therapeutic impact. Some recent advances have been in the areas of gene therapy and substrate reduction therapy (SRT), as well as using these in combination with HSCT. Unfortunately, new experimental approaches have encountered obstacles which have impeded the translation of novel therapies to human patients. In an effort to identify a safe adjunct therapy, D-cycloserine was tested in preliminary studies in twitcher mice. When administered as a standalone therapy, D-cycloserine was shown to lengthen the lifespan of twitcher mice in a small but significant manner. D-Cycloserine is an FDA approved antibiotic used for drug resistant tuberculosis. It also acts as a partial agonist of the NMDA receptor, which has led to numerous human studies for a range of neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions. In addition, D-cycloserine may inhibit serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT), which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in sphingolipid production. The enantiomer, L-cycloserine, is a much more potent inhibitor of SPT than D-cycloserine. Previously, L-cycloserine was found to act as an effective SRT agent in twitcher mice as both a standalone therapy and as part of combination therapies. L-Cycloserine is not approved for human use, and its potent inhibitory properties may limit its ability to maintain a level of partial inactivation of SPT that is also safe. In theory, D-cycloserine would encompass a much broader dosage range to achieve a safe degree of partial inhibition of SPT, which increases the likelihood it could advance to human studies in patients with Krabbe disease. Furthermore, additional properties of D-cycloserine raise the possibility of other therapeutic mechanisms that could be exploited for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M LeVine
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Sheila Tsau
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
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