The long term goal of this project is to identify the genetic basis responsible for Niemann-Pick Type C (NP-C) disease, to study its role in the pathogenesis of the disorder and to use this information to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. NP-C is an autosomal- recessive, neurovisceral lipid storage disorder and presents as variable hepatosplenomegaly, vertical supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, progressive ataxia, dystonia, and dementia. Our group has a long term commitment to studying several aspects of this disease including those involving genetic diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Through a multi-institute collaboration and a Bench to Bedside award we have established a natural history study in order to determine the time course of disease prevention, identification of biomarkers and as a basis for assessment of therapeutic interventions. Over the last years we have extensively analysed the model model to provide additional insights into the pathogensisi using gene expression analyses. We have been assessing changes in gene expression in the liver and brain to identify pathways that are disrupted. In asymptomatic animals we found changes in genes involving lipid metabolism, cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in arachidonic acid and drug metabolism, inflammation and immune responses, mitogen-activated protein kinase and G-protein signaling, cell cycle regulation, cell adhesion and cytoskeleton remodeling. In contrast, genes involved in apoptosis and oxidative stress appeared to change in late pathological samples. We have also used this analysis to identify potential biomarkers that we then assess inpatient samples. From this we have identified galectin-3 (LGALS3), a pro-inflammatory molecule, and cathepsin D (CTSD), a lysosomal aspartic protease. Elevated serum levels of both proteins correlated with neurological disease severity and appeared to be specific for NPC1 disease. With NCATs we have initiated a compound screen to identify potential treatment paradigms and have been testing them in vitro and in vivo. We are also using an NIH Directors Challenge award to assist in a whole genome siRNA screen to identify modify loci that contribute to the genetic variation. We are now developing conventional and antisense approaches to mimic animal models of this disease to assess candidate modifier pathways and to assess identified therapeutic interventions.

Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$415,423
Indirect Cost
Name
National Human Genome Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
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Marshall, Craig A; Watkins-Chow, Dawn E; Palladino, Giampiero et al. (2018) In Niemann-Pick C1 mouse models, glial-only expression of the normal gene extends survival much further than do changes in genetic background or treatment with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Gene 643:117-123
Tseng, Wei-Chia; Loeb, Hannah E; Pei, Wuhong et al. (2018) Modeling Niemann-Pick disease type C1 in zebrafish: a robust platform for in vivo screening of candidate therapeutic compounds. Dis Model Mech 11:
Ory, Daniel S; Ottinger, Elizabeth A; Farhat, Nicole Yanjanin et al. (2017) Intrathecal 2-hydroxypropyl-?-cyclodextrin decreases neurological disease progression in Niemann-Pick disease, type C1: a non-randomised, open-label, phase 1-2 trial. Lancet 390:1758-1768
Chandler, Randy J; Williams, Ian M; Gibson, Alana L et al. (2017) Systemic AAV9 gene therapy improves the lifespan of mice with Niemann-Pick disease, type C1. Hum Mol Genet 26:52-64
Nicoli, Elena-Raluca; Al Eisa, Nada; Cluzeau, Celine V M et al. (2016) Defective Cytochrome P450-Catalysed Drug Metabolism in Niemann-Pick Type C Disease. PLoS One 11:e0152007
Westbroek, Wendy; Nguyen, Matthew; Siebert, Marina et al. (2016) A new glucocerebrosidase-deficient neuronal cell model provides a tool to probe pathophysiology and therapeutics for Gaucher disease. Dis Model Mech 9:769-78
Francis, Kevin R; Ton, Amy N; Xin, Yao et al. (2016) Modeling Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome with induced pluripotent stem cells reveals a causal role for Wnt/?-catenin defects in neuronal cholesterol synthesis phenotypes. Nat Med 22:388-96
Efthymiou, Anastasia G; Steiner, Joe; Pavan, William J et al. (2015) Rescue of an in vitro neuron phenotype identified in Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons by modulating the WNT pathway and calcium signaling. Stem Cells Transl Med 4:230-8
Yapici, Nazmiye B; Bi, Yue; Li, Pengfei et al. (2015) Highly stable and sensitive fluorescent probes (LysoProbes) for lysosomal labeling and tracking. Sci Rep 5:8576
Chen, Xin; Bi, Yue; Wang, Tianyang et al. (2015) Lysosomal targeting with stable and sensitive fluorescent probes (Superior LysoProbes): applications for lysosome labeling and tracking during apoptosis. Sci Rep 5:9004

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