Basirli H, Can M, Sengul T, Seyrantepe V. Lithium treatment rescues dysfunctional autophagy in the cell models of Tay-Sachs disease.
Mol Genet Metab 2024;
141:108140. [PMID:
38262289 DOI:
10.1016/j.ymgme.2024.108140]
[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: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Tay-Sachs disease is a rare lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) caused by a mutation in the HexA gene coding β-hexosaminidase A enzyme. The disruption of the HexA gene causes the accumulation of GM2 ganglioside resulting in progressive neurodegeneration in humans. Surprisingly, Hexa-/- mice did not show neurological phenotypes. Our group recently generated a murine model of Tay-Sachs disease exhibiting excessive GM2 accumulation and severe neuropathological abnormalities mimicking Tay-Sachs patients. Previously, we reported impaired autophagic flux in the brain of Hexa/-Neu3-/- mice. However, regulation of autophagic flux using inducers has not been clarified in Tay-Sachs disease cells. Here, we evaluated the effects of lithium treatment on dysfunctional autophagic flux using LC3 and p62 in the fibroblast and neuroglia of Hexa-/-Neu3-/- mice and Tay-Sachs patients. We discovered the clearance of accumulating autophagosomes, aggregate-prone metabolites, and GM2 ganglioside under lithium-induced conditions. Our data suggest that targeting autophagic flux with an autophagy inducer might be a rational therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Tay-Sachs disease.
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