Human Molecular Genetics, 2000, Vol. 9, No. 13 1967-1976
© 2000 Oxford University Press
Creation of a mouse model for non-neurological (type B) Niemann–Pick disease by stable, low level expression of lysosomal sphingomyelinase in the absence of secretory sphingomyelinase: relationship between brain intra-lysosomal enzyme activity and central nervous system function
Departments of Medicine and Anatomy and Cell Biology, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA, 1Department of Human Genetics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA, 2Berlex Biosciences, Richmond, CA 94804, USA and 3Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
Most lysosomal storage diseases result in neurodegeneration, but deficiencies in the same enzymes can also lead to syndromes without neurologic manifestations. The hypothesis that low levels of residual, intra-lysosomal enzymatic activities in the central nervous system (CNS) are protective has been difficult to prove because of inconsistencies in assays of tissue samples. Experimental correction of lysosomal enzyme deficiencies in animal models suggests that low-level enzymatic activity may reduce CNS pathology, but these results are difficult to interpret owing to the partial and transient nature of the improvements, the presence of secretory hydrolases, and other confounding factors. Using a novel transgenic/knockout strategy to manipulate the intracellular targeting of a hydrolase, we created a mouse that stably expresses low levels of lysosomal sphingomyelinase (L-SMase) in the complete absence of secretory sphingomyelinase (S-SMase). The brains of these mice exhibited 11.5–18.2% of wild-type L-SMase activity, but the cerebellar Purkinje cell layer, which is lost by 4 months of age in mice completely lacking L- and S-SMase, was preserved for at least 8 months. The L-SMase activities in other organs were 1–14% of wild-type levels, and by 8 months of age all peripheral organs had accumulated sphingomyelin and demonstrated pathological intracellular inclusions. Most importantly, L-SMase-expressing mice showed no signs of the severe neurologic disease observed in completely deficient mice, and their life span and general health were essentially normal. These findings show that stable, continuous, low-level expression of intra-lysosomal enzyme activity in the brain can preserve CNS function in the absence of secretory enzyme or other confounding factors.
+ To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 212 305 9430; Fax: +1 212 305 4834; Email: iat1@columbia.edu
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