1
|
Minder AE, Kluijver LG, Barman-Aksözen J, Minder EI, Langendonk JG. Erythropoietic protoporphyrias: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 39011756 DOI: 10.1111/liv.16027] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The erythropoietic protoporphyrias consist of three ultra-rare genetic disorders of the erythroid heme biosynthesis, including erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP1), X-linked protoporphyria (XLEPP) and CLPX-protoporphyria (EPP2), which all lead to the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in erythrocytes. Affected patients usually present from early childhood with episodes of severe phototoxic pain in the skin exposed to visible light. The quantification of PPIX in erythrocytes with a metal-free PPIX ≥3 times the upper limit of normal confirms the diagnosis. Protoporphyria-related complications include liver failure, gallstones, mild anaemia and vitamin D deficiency with reduced bone mineral density. The management is focused on preventing phototoxic reactions and treating the complications. Vitamin D should be supplemented, and DEXA scans in adults should be considered. In EPP1, even in cases of biochemically determined iron deficiency, supplementation of iron may stimulate PPIX production, resulting in an increase in photosensitivity and the risk of cholestatic liver disease. However, for patients with XLEPP, iron supplementation can reduce PPIX levels, phototoxicity and liver damage. Because of its rarity, there is little data on the management of EPP-related liver disease. As a first measure, any hepatotoxins should be eliminated. Depending on the severity of the liver disease, phlebotomies, exchange transfusions and ultimately liver transplantation with subsequent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are therapeutic options, whereby multidisciplinary management including porphyria experts is mandatory. Afamelanotide, an alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogue, is currently the only approved specific treatment that increases pain-free sunlight exposure and quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Elisabeth Minder
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Porphyria, Stadtspital Zürich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Louisa G Kluijver
- Department of Internal Medicine, Porphyria Center Rotterdam, Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Disease, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jasmin Barman-Aksözen
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Stadtspital Zürich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth I Minder
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Porphyria, Stadtspital Zürich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Stadtspital Zürich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Janneke G Langendonk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Porphyria Center Rotterdam, Center for Lysosomal and Metabolic Disease, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Poli A, Schmitt C, Puy H, Talbi N, Lefebvre T, Gouya L. Erythropoietic protoporphyrias: updates and advances. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00128-X. [PMID: 38890030 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.05.006] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Protoporphyrias are caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding enzymes involved in heme biosynthesis. They induce the accumulation of a hydrophobic phototoxic compound, protoporphyrin (PPIX), in red blood cells (RBCs). PPIX is responsible for painful cutaneous photosensitivity, which severely impairs quality of life. Hepatic elimination of PPIX increases the risk of cholestatic liver disease, requiring lifelong monitoring. Treatment options are scarce and mainly limited to supportive care such as protection from visible light. Here, we review the pathophysiology of protoporphyrias, their diagnosis, and current recommendations for medical care. We discuss new therapeutic strategies, some of which are currently undergoing clinical trials and are likely to radically alter the severity of the disease in the years to come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Poli
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France; Laboratory of excellence Gr-Ex, Paris, France.
| | - Caroline Schmitt
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France; Laboratory of excellence Gr-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Hervé Puy
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France; Laboratory of excellence Gr-Ex, Paris, France
| | - Neila Talbi
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, Paris, France
| | - Thibaud Lefebvre
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Gouya
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation, Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, Paris, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares Porphyries, Hôpital Louis Mourier, Colombes, France; Laboratory of excellence Gr-Ex, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Jericó D, Córdoba KM, Urigo F, Enríquez de Salamanca R, Anderson KE, Deybach JC, Ávila MA, Fontanellas A. Exploring current and emerging therapies for porphyrias. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 38813953 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Porphyrias are rare, mostly inherited disorders resulting from altered activity of specific enzymes in the haem synthesis pathway that lead to accumulation of pathway intermediates. Photocutaneous symptoms occur when excess amounts of photoreactive porphyrins circulate in the blood to the skin, whereas increases in potentially neurotoxic porphyrin precursors are associated with neurovisceral symptoms. Current therapies are suboptimal and their mechanisms are not well established. As described here, emerging therapies address underlying disease mechanisms by introducing a gene, RNA or other specific molecule with the potential to cure or slow progression of the disease. Recent progress in nanotechnology and nanoscience, particularly regarding particle design and formulation, is expanding disease targets. More secure and efficient drug delivery systems have extended our toolbox for transferring specific molecules, especially into hepatocytes, and led to proof-of-concept studies in animal models. Repurposing existing drugs as molecular chaperones or haem synthesis inhibitors is also promising. This review summarizes key examples of these emerging therapeutic approaches and their application for hepatic and erythropoietic porphyrias.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jericó
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karol M Córdoba
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Francesco Urigo
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rafael Enríquez de Salamanca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reference Center for Inherited Metabolic Disease-MetabERN, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, UCM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karl E Anderson
- Porphyria Laboratory and Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jean-Charles Deybach
- French Porphyria Reference Center (CRMR Porphyries France), Université Paris, Paris, France
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Fontanellas
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barman-Aksözen J, Minder AE, Schuppan D, Stölzel U. Letter to the Editor: Contrasting effect of iron supplementation in protoporphyria. Hepatology 2024; 79:E87-E88. [PMID: 37862552 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Barman-Aksözen
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Municipal Hospital Zurich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Municipal Hospital Zurich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Anna-Elisabeth Minder
- Swiss Reference Centre for Porphyrias, Municipal Hospital Zurich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
- Division for Endocrinology, Diabetology and Porphyria, Municipal Hospital Zurich Triemli, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy, University Medical Centre, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ulrich Stölzel
- Porphyria Centre, Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Levy C, Dickey AK, Anderson KE, Keel SB, Balwani M. Reply: Contrasting effect of iron supplementation in protoporphyria. Hepatology 2024; 79:E89-E90. [PMID: 37862462 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Levy
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Amy K Dickey
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karl E Anderson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch/UTMB Health, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Sioban B Keel
- Division of Hematology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Manisha Balwani
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hussain Z, Qi Q, Zhu J, Anderson KE, Ma X. Protoporphyrin IX-induced phototoxicity: Mechanisms and therapeutics. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 248:108487. [PMID: 37392940 PMCID: PMC10529234 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108487] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) is an intermediate in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Abnormal accumulation of PPIX due to certain pathological conditions such as erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria causes painful phototoxic reactions of the skin, which can significantly impact daily life. Endothelial cells in the skin have been proposed as the primary target for PPIX-induced phototoxicity through light-triggered generation of reactive oxygen species. Current approaches for the management of PPIX-induced phototoxicity include opaque clothing, sunscreens, phototherapy, blood therapy, antioxidants, bone marrow transplantation, and drugs that increase skin pigmentation. In this review, we discuss the present understanding of PPIX-induced phototoxicity including PPIX production and disposition, conditions that lead to PPIX accumulation, symptoms and individual differences, mechanisms, and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zahir Hussain
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Qian Qi
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Junjie Zhu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Karl E Anderson
- Porphyria Laboratory and Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Xiaochao Ma
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Iron Metabolism in the Disorders of Heme Biosynthesis. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12090819. [PMID: 36144223 PMCID: PMC9505951 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12090819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Given its remarkable property to easily switch between different oxidative states, iron is essential in countless cellular functions which involve redox reactions. At the same time, uncontrolled interactions between iron and its surrounding milieu may be damaging to cells and tissues. Heme—the iron-chelated form of protoporphyrin IX—is a macrocyclic tetrapyrrole and a coordination complex for diatomic gases, accurately engineered by evolution to exploit the catalytic, oxygen-binding, and oxidoreductive properties of iron while minimizing its damaging effects on tissues. The majority of the body production of heme is ultimately incorporated into hemoglobin within mature erythrocytes; thus, regulation of heme biosynthesis by iron is central in erythropoiesis. Additionally, heme is a cofactor in several metabolic pathways, which can be modulated by iron-dependent signals as well. Impairment in some steps of the pathway of heme biosynthesis is the main pathogenetic mechanism of two groups of diseases collectively known as porphyrias and congenital sideroblastic anemias. In porphyrias, according to the specific enzyme involved, heme precursors accumulate up to the enzyme stop in disease-specific patterns and organs. Therefore, different porphyrias manifest themselves under strikingly different clinical pictures. In congenital sideroblastic anemias, instead, an altered utilization of mitochondrial iron by erythroid precursors leads to mitochondrial iron overload and an accumulation of ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow. In line with the complexity of the processes involved, the role of iron in these conditions is then multifarious. This review aims to summarise the most important lines of evidence concerning the interplay between iron and heme metabolism, as well as the clinical and experimental aspects of the role of iron in inherited conditions of altered heme biosynthesis.
Collapse
|