Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is a dysmorphology and mental retardation disorder lacking adequate therapy options. It is caused by cholesterol deficiency due to inactivity of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (DHCR7). Biochemically, it is characterized by low concentrations of cholesterol (C) in blood and tissues and high concentrations of dehydrocholesterol (DHC). Although mutations in the DHCR7 gene have been well described, the pathogenic development of the disease characteristics is not well understood. Among inherited errors of metabolism, SLOS is relatively frequent, and new diagnostic methods aid its prenatal detection. The long-term objective of this proposal is to develop a basis for the treatment of SLOS. For experiments, gene transfer techniques and mouse models that mimic human SLOS will be used.
Three Specific Aims are proposed:
(Aim 1) Define the limitations of post-natal, systemic gene therapy. The ratio of DHC/C is an indicator of SLOS severity. So far we have improved, but not completely normalized, this ratio by gene therapy. We now seek to enhance the effectiveness of this gene therapy. Our hypothesis is that the number of liver cells able to express the introduced DHCR7 gene is the limiting factor. We shall test this by varying the dose and type of vector carrying a tagged DHCR7 gene, following the extent of transduction by microscopic identification of cells expressing a tagged enzyme (FLAG-DHCR7), and comparing with DHC/C.
(Aim 2) Normalize cholesterol in the CNS by treating newborns. Cholesterol metabolism in the CNS must be treated separately because it is isolated from systemic cholesterol by the blood brain barrier. Gene transfer vector will be injected intrathecally into the cerebrospinal fluid of newborn SLOS mice. At various times brains will be analyzed for sterols, DHCR7 DNA and mRNA, and the distribution of cells expressing FLAG-DHCR7. Sustained normalization of DHC/C in brain will prompt behavioral tests to see if learning, memory and neuromuscular performance are improved.
(Aim 3) Correct cholesterol levels during fetal development. Here the emphasis is on preventive treatment and establishing when during development irreversible damage occurs. Biochemical markers, dysmorphic features, and physiological indicators (e.g., survival rates, weight gain and photosensitivity) will all be monitored. If there is significant improvement we shall again explore neuromuscular and behavioral performance. For the three types of treatment, systemic, CNS and fetal, long- term consequences, safety and potential adverse effects will also be monitored. Due to the multiple essential roles of cholesterol, SLOS is a complicated and devastating disorder in spite of its relatively simple genetic origin. The frequency of SLOS in North America is estimated at about 1 in 60,000, although many cases are thought to be never diagnosed because of prenatal lethality or mild phenotype. Through the proposed experiments using gene transfer and SLOS mice, we hope to learn more about the timing and biochemistry of disease development and to establish a basis for eventual treatment in humans.

Public Health Relevance

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome (SLOS) is an inherited condition that is physically and mentally devastating for patients, emotionally devastating for their families and a burden on the health care system. There is no cure, and current treatment of symptoms is inadequate. We are attacking this problem directly by using gene therapy to replace the defective gene that is the root cause of SLOS.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD053036-09
Application #
8644814
Study Section
Pregnancy and Neonatology Study Section (PN)
Program Officer
Krotoski, Danuta
Project Start
2006-04-15
Project End
2016-01-31
Budget Start
2014-04-01
Budget End
2015-03-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Children's Hospital & Res Ctr at Oakland
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Oakland
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94609
Makarova, Anastasia M; Pasta, Saloni; Watson, Gordon et al. (2017) Attenuation of UVR-induced vitamin D3 synthesis in a mouse model deleted for keratinocyte lathosterol 5-desaturase. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 171:187-194
Pasta, Saloni; Akhile, Omoye; Tabron, Dorothy et al. (2015) Delivery of the 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase gene to the central nervous system using adeno-associated virus vector in a mouse model of Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome. Mol Genet Metab Rep 4:92-98
Ying, Lee; Matabosch, Xavier; Serra, Montserrat et al. (2014) Biochemical and Physiological Improvement in a Mouse Model of Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome (SLOS) Following Gene Transfer with AAV Vectors. Mol Genet Metab Rep 1:103-113
Meljon, Anna; Watson, Gordon L; Wang, Yuqin et al. (2013) Analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of sterols and oxysterols in brain of the newborn Dhcr7(?3-5/T93M) mouse: a model of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Biochem Pharmacol 86:43-55
Meljon, Anna; Theofilopoulos, Spyridon; Shackleton, Cedric H L et al. (2012) Analysis of bioactive oxysterols in newborn mouse brain by LC/MS. J Lipid Res 53:2469-83
Shackleton, Cedric H L (2012) Role of a disordered steroid metabolome in the elucidation of sterol and steroid biosynthesis. Lipids 47:1-12
Matabosch, Xavier; Ying, Lee; Serra, Montserrat et al. (2010) Increasing cholesterol synthesis in 7-dehydrosterol reductase (DHCR7) deficient mouse models through gene transfer. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 122:303-9
Serra, Montserrat; Matabosch, Xavier; Ying, Lee et al. (2010) Hair and skin sterols in normal mice and those with deficient dehydrosterol reductase (DHCR7), the enzyme associated with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 122:318-25
Matabosch, Xavier; Rahman, Mahbuba; Hughes, Beverly et al. (2009) Steroid production and excretion by the pregnant mouse, particularly in relation to pregnancies with fetuses deficient in Delta7-sterol reductase (Dhcr7), the enzyme associated with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 116:61-70
Griffiths, William J; Wang, Yuqin; Karu, Kersti et al. (2008) Potential of sterol analysis by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the prenatal diagnosis of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. Clin Chem 54:1317-24

Showing the most recent 10 out of 11 publications