Proposal of an Algorithm to Early Detect Attenuated Type I Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS Ia) among Children with Growth Abnormalities

Background and Objectives: Diagnostic delay is common in attenuated Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS Ia) due to the rarity of the disease and the variability of clinical presentation. Short stature and impaired growth velocity are frequent findings in MPS Ia, but they rarely raise suspicion as paediatric endocrinologists are generally poorly trained to detect earlier and milder clinical signs of this condition. Materials and Methods: Following a consensus-based methodology, a multidisciplinary panel including paediatric endocrinologists, paediatricians with expertise in metabolic disorders, radiologists, and rheumatologists shared their experience on a possible clinical approach to the diagnosis of MPS Ia in children with short stature or stunted growth. Results: The result was the formation of an algorithm that illustrates how to raise the suspicion of MPS Ia in a patient older than 5 years with short stature and suggestive clinical signs. Conclusion: The proposed algorithm may represent a useful tool to improve the awareness of paediatric endocrinologists and reduce the diagnostic delay for patients with MPS Ia.

Drosophila D-idua Reduction Mimics Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Disease-Related Phenotypes

Deficit of the IDUA (α-L-iduronidase) enzyme causes the lysosomal storage disorder mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I), a rare pediatric neurometabolic disease, due to pathological variants in the IDUA gene and is characterized by the accumulation of the undegraded mucopolysaccharides heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate into lysosomes, with secondary cellular consequences that are still mostly unclarified. Here, we report a new fruit fly RNAi-mediated knockdown model of a IDUA homolog (D-idua) displaying a phenotype mimicking some typical molecular features of Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSD). In this study, we showed that D-idua is a vital gene in Drosophila and that ubiquitous reduction of its expression leads to lethality during the pupal stage, when the precise degradation/synthesis of macromolecules, together with a functional autophagic pathway, are indispensable for the correct development to the adult stage. Tissue-specific analysis of the D-idua model showed an increase in the number and size of lysosomes in the brain and muscle. Moreover, the incorrect acidification of lysosomes led to dysfunctional lysosome-autophagosome fusion and the consequent block of autophagy flux. A concomitant metabolic drift of glycolysis and lipogenesis pathways was observed. After starvation, D-idua larvae showed a quite complete rescue of both autophagy/lysosome phenotypes and metabolic alterations. Metabolism and autophagy are strictly interconnected vital processes that contribute to maintain homeostatic control of energy balance, and little is known about this regulation in LSDs. Our results provide new starting points for future investigations on the disease’s pathogenic mechanisms and possible pharmacological manipulations.

Articular Syndrome Characteristics in Children with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I

Background. Mucopolysaccharidosis type I is disease from the group of lysosomal storage disease developing due to mutations in the IDUA gene. It leads to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in organs and tissues. Joints damage in this disease is systemic and progressive.Objective. The aim of the study. Nowadays, relevant issue is to investigate the effects of various types of pathogenetic therapy on the state of the osteoarticular system in patients with severe and mild phenotypes of MPS I to prevent further progression of joint pathology.Methods. The study included 46 patients diagnosed with “mucopolysaccharidosis type I”. 35 children had severe phenotype (Hurler syndrome) and 11 — with mild phenotypes (Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndromes). The onset age of clinical manifestations in osteoarticular system, the state of large and small joints, and the presence of cervical stenosis according to the therapy were evaluated in these patients.Results. The osteoarticular system pathology can be usually revealed in all patients with MPS I, in both mild and severe phenotypes. The contractures of shoulder, ulnar, wrist, and small hand joints have been revealed in most patients with Hurler syndrome, regardless of the administered therapy. Hip joints pathology was observed in children who was administered with: enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) — in 46.7% of cases, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in combination with ERT — in 34.4% of cases. Patients with Hurler syndrome administered with HSCT in combination with ERT had cervical stenosis statistically significantly more rarely (p = 0.018) compared to patients treated with ERT only. Patients with Hurler syndrome who were on ERT had statistically significantly lower growth rates than patients after HSCT in combination with ERT. Lesions in ulnar, wrist, knee and small hand joints were the most common in children with mild phenotypes (in 90% of cases).Conclusion. Combined therapy (HSCT and ERT) in patients with Hurler syndrome reduces severe manifestations in osteoarticular system.

Clinical and economic justification of screening for mucopolysaccharidosis type I in children at groups of risks

Background. Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I (MPS I) has clinical heterogeneity without specific symptoms leading to difficulties with diagnostic on time. In-depth screening for MPS I in children has aim of early detection and timely treatment with an enzyme replacement therapy. Aim. The purpose of this study was to conduct a clinical and economic assessment of the feasibility of screening for MPS I in children at group of risks. Materials and methods. Model for evaluation of the social-economic burden of MPS I with calculation of expenditures has been created. Costs of diagnosed and non-diagnosed patients in group of risks were identified, including direct medical costs (pharmacotherapy, out-patient cure, hospital admission, complications treatment, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; direct non-medical (payments for disability); indirect (expenses related to the reduction or loss of the ability to work of one of the parents performing the duties of caring for a disabled child). Results. The weighted average cost per 1 diagnosed patient with mild forms of MPS I with selective screening, was 405,974.22 rubles, which is 184,421.85 rubles less vs average cost per 1 undiagnosed patient. The management and treatment of patients with mild forms of MPS I after selective screening will allow saving up to 17.7 million rubles/year, which would possible to additionally screen 705 patients. Taking into account the size of the population of patients with undiagnosed MPS I, currently the costs for this group amount to 56.7 million rubles, while the «overspend» of budget funds for untimely diagnosis of MPS I for this cohort of children is about 22.6 million rubles/year. Conclusion. Selective screening for MPS I in children at group of risks is economically proved and can lead to treatment on-time for disability and complications prevention.

Molecular Analysis of Vietnamese Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by deleterious mutations in the α‑L‑iduronidase (IDUA) gene. Until now, MPS I in Vietnamese has been poorly addressed. Five MPS I patients were studied with direct DNA sequencing using Illumina technology confirming pathogenic variants in the IDUA gene. Clinical characteristics, additional laboratory results, and family history were collected. All patients have presented with the classical characteristic of MPS I, and α‑L‑iduronidase activity was low with the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. Three variants in the IDUA gene (c.1190‑10C>A (Intronic), c.1046A>G (p.Asp349Gly), c.1862G>C (p.Arg621Pro) were identified. The c.1190‑10C>A variant represents six of the ten disease alleles, indicating a founder effect for MPS I in the Vietnamese population. Using biochemical and genetic analyses, the precise incidence of MPS I in this population should accelerate early diagnosis, newborn screening, prognosis, and optimal treatment

Lysosomal storage diseases: mucopolysaccharidosis type I and II

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are a genetically heterogeneous group of rare monogenic metabolic diseases associated with hereditary insufficiency of lysosomal enzymes involved in the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans, or mucopolysaccharides. The pathogenesis of MPS is due to the accumulation of non-cleaved glycosaminoglycans in lysosomes, which can destroy cells. All MPS are characterized by a polysystemic manifestation, the simultaneous involvement of many organs and tissues in the pathological process, first of all, connective tissues, bones and cartilaginous. This review presents the epidemiology, clinical, biochemical, and molecular genetic characteristics of MPS types I and II, caused by the recessive mutations in the alpha-L-iduronidase and iduronate-2-sulfatase genes, respectively, and by the accumulation of dermatan and heparan sulfate. Each of these diseases is characterized by clinical polymorphism, especially observed in MPS I, which often manifests in a severe form of Hurler syndrome, but can also occur in a milder form of Scheie syndrome. Currently, there is an increased interest in MPS in the world due to the identification of the spectrum and frequencies of mutations in theIDUAandIDSgenes in various populations, including in Russia, and the practical availability of methods for individual molecular diagnostics. The description of the existing experimental models, their role in the study of the biochemical basis of the pathogenesis of these severe hereditary diseases and the development of various therapeutic approaches are given. Discusses the possibility of early diagnosis of MPS I and II types based on neonatal screening in order to increase the effectiveness of their prevention and treatment, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the main approaches to the treatment of these serious diseases, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, enzyme replacement and substrate-reducing therapy. A clinical example of a combination therapy for a severe form of mucopolysaccharidosis type I Hurler syndrome is presented

Alpha-L-iduronidase deficiency: A novel mutation resulting in severe early presentation of Mucopolyscaridosis type I and litature review of molecular basis

The IDUA gene (MIM 252800) provides instructions for producing alpha-L-iduronidase, which is essential for the breakdown of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Mutations in the IDUA gene have been found to cause mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MIM 607014). This leads to the accumulation of GAGs within lysosomes causing different organs to be dysfunctional.