Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology - Volume 12, Issue 6, 2011

This special topic issue published in the journal Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology is devoted to Recent advances in treatment approaches of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs). LSDs constitute a group of more than 50 genetic pathologies characterized by chronic and progressive accumulation of substances in lysosomes. Most of them are caused by genetic mutations in catabolic lysosomal hydrolases genes produ Read More

Gaucher disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. The absence of β-glucocerebrosidase whose purpose is to cleave the glucose from ceramide results in accumulation of glucocerebroside; storage of this glycolipid results in Gaucher disease. There is tremendous clinical heterogeneity: prediction of onset of symptoms (if at all), which organs will be affected, and the degree of severity of the signs and sym Read More

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type II (Hunter syndrome, OMIM 309900) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (IDS). Major clinical manifestations include joint contractures, obstructive and restrictive airway disease, cardiac disease, skeletal deformities and often mental retardation. As with all the MPS disorders, mucopolysaccharidosis type II is a clini Read More

The Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) affecting the central nervous system (CNS), with generally with recessive inheritance. They are characterized by pathological lipofuscin-like material accumulating in cells. The clinical phenotypes at all onset ages show progressive loss of vision, decreasing cognitive and motor skills, epileptic seizures and premature death, with dementia without vis Read More

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage diseases that are resulted from abnormal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Among the progressive multi-organ abnormalities often associated with MPS diseases, the deterioration of central nervous system (CNS) is the most challenging manifestations to be tackled, due to the impermeability of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Evolved with recent develop Read More

Niemann-Pick disease type C is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in either one of the two genes, NPC1 or NPC2, which encode proteins involved in the regulation of normal transport and/or processing of free cholesterol. Several types of lipids including free cholesterol (unesterified), sphingosine, sphingomyelin, phospholipids and glycosphingolipids (glucosylceramide and gangliosides GM2 and GM3) are Read More

Pompe disease (PD) is a metabolic myopathy caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal hydrolase acid α- glucosidase (GAA) and characterized by generalized glycogen storage. Heterogeneous GAA gene mutations result in wide phenotypic variability, ranging from the severe classic infantile presentation to the attenuated intermediate and late-onset forms. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human GAA (rh Read More

Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder (LSD) due to deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A (GLA). Absent or reduced enzyme activity leads to impaired catabolism of neutral glycosphingolipids, particularly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), resulting in intracellular deposition of such lipids. Clinical manifestations in hemizygote males include angiokeratoma, hypohydrosis, acroparesthesia, abdominal pain, proteinu Read More

Mucopolysaccharosis III (MPS III) is a lysosomal storage disorder and belongs to the group of mucopolysaccharidoses. MPS III is caused by a deficiency of one of the four enzymes catalyzing the degradation of the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate. MPS III is clinically characterized by progressive dementia with distinct behavioral disturbances and relatively mild somatic disease. This review will summarize and discuss t Read More

Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA), also known as Morquio A, is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme N-acetylgalatosamine-6-sulfate-sulfatase (GALNS), which catalyzes a step in the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), keratan sulfate (KS) and chondroitin-6-sulfate (C6S). It leads to accumulation of the KS and C6S, mainly in bone and cornea, causing a systemic skeletal Read More

Intrathecal enzyme replacement therapy has been proposed to treat central nervous system (CNS) disease due to mucopolysaccharidosis type I. Our research has shown that repeated injections of recombinant enzyme into the spinal fluid corrects enzyme deficiency and normalizes lysosomal storage in the canine model. The challenge is to translate the success in the animal where there are fewer study limitations to human p Read More

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI is caused by accumulation of the glycosaminoglycan dermatan sulfate in all tissues due to decreased activity of the enzyme arylsulfatase B. Patients exhibit multisystemic signs and symptoms in a chronic and progressive manner, especially with changes in the skeleton, cardiopulmonary system, cornea, skin, liver, spleen and meninges. Patients usually have normal inteligence. In the past, treat Read More