Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs; /ˌlsəˈsməl/) are a group of over 70 rare inherited metabolic disorders that result from defects in lysosomal function.[1][2] Lysosomes are sacs of enzymes within cells that digest large molecules and pass the fragments on to other parts of the cell for recycling. This process requires several critical enzymes. If one of these enzymes is defective due to a mutation, the large molecules accumulate within the cell, eventually killing it.[3]

Quick Facts Specialty ...
Lysosomal storage disease
Thumb
Micrograph of Gaucher disease, with cells that have the characteristic crumpled tissue paper-like cytoplasm. H&E stain.
SpecialtyEndocrinology Edit this on Wikidata
Close

Lysosomal storage disorders are caused by lysosomal dysfunction usually as a consequence of deficiency of a single enzyme required for the metabolism of lipids, glycoproteins (sugar-containing proteins), or so-called mucopolysaccharides. Individually, lysosomal storage diseases occur with incidences of less than 1:100,000; however, as a group, the incidence is about 1:5,000 – 1:10,000.[4][5] Most of these disorders are autosomal recessively inherited such as Niemann–Pick disease, type C, but a few are X-linked recessively inherited, such as Fabry disease and Hunter syndrome (MPS II).[citation needed]

The lysosome is commonly referred to as the cell's recycling center because it processes unwanted material into substances that the cell can use. Lysosomes break down this unwanted matter by enzymes, highly specialized proteins essential for survival. Lysosomal disorders are usually triggered when a particular enzyme exists in too small an amount or is missing altogether. When this happens, substances accumulate in the cell. In other words, when the lysosome does not function normally, excess products destined for breakdown and recycling are stored in the cell.[citation needed]

Like other genetic disorders, individuals inherit lysosomal storage diseases from their parents. Although each disorder results from different gene mutations that translate into a deficiency in enzyme activity, they all share a common biochemical characteristic – all lysosomal disorders originate from an abnormal accumulation of substances inside the lysosome.[citation needed]

Lysosomal storage diseases affect mostly children and they often die at a young age, many within a few months or years of birth.[citation needed]

Classification

Standard classification

The lysosomal storage diseases are generally classified by the nature of the primary stored material involved, and can be broadly broken into the following: (ICD-10 codes are provided where available)[citation needed]

Also, glycogen storage disease type II (Pompe disease) is a defect in lysosomal metabolism as well,[6] although it is otherwise classified into E74.0 in ICD-10. Cystinosis is an lysosomal storage disease characterized by the abnormal accumulation of the amino acid cystine.[citation needed]

By type of defect protein

Alternatively to the protein targets, lysosomal storage diseases may be classified by the type of protein that is deficient and is causing buildup.

More information Type of defect protein, Disease examples ...
Type of defect proteinDisease examplesDeficient protein
Lysosomal enzymes primarilyTay–Sachs disease, I-cell disease,[7] Sphingolipidoses (e.g., Krabbe disease, gangliosidosis: Gaucher, Niemann–Pick disease and glycolipids: Metachromatic leukodystrophy), Lysosomal acid lipase deficiencyVarious
Posttranslational modification of enzymesMultiple sulfatase deficiencyMultiple sulfatases
Membrane transport proteinsMucolipidosis type II and IIIAN-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate transferase
Enzyme protecting proteinsGalactosialidosisCathepsin A
Soluble nonenzymatic proteinsGM2-AP deficiency, variant AB, Niemann–Pick disease, type C2GM2-AP, NPC2
Transmembrane proteinsSAP deficiencySphingolipid activator proteins
Niemann–Pick disease, type C1NPC1
Salla diseaseSialin
Unless else specified in boxes, then the applicable reference is:[8]
Close

Lysosomal storage disorders

Lysosomal storage diseases include:

Sphingolipidoses

Mucopolysaccharidoses

Mucolipidosis

Lipidoses

Oligosaccharide

Lysosomal transport diseases

Glycogen storage diseases

Other

Lysosomal disease

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of lysosomal storage diseases vary depending on the particular disorder and other variables such as the age of onset, and can be mild to severe. They can include developmental delay, movement disorders, seizures, dementia, deafness, and/or blindness. Some people with lysosomal storage diseases have enlarged livers or spleens, pulmonary and cardiac problems, and bones that grow abnormally.[10]

Diagnosis

The majority of patients are initially screened by enzyme assay, which is the most efficient method to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.[10] In some families where the disease-causing mutations are known, and in certain genetic isolates, mutation analysis may be performed. In addition, after a diagnosis is made by biochemical means, mutation analysis may be performed for certain disorders.[citation needed]

Treatment

No cures for lysosomal storage diseases are known, and treatment is mostly symptomatic, although bone marrow transplantation and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) have been tried with some success.[11][12] ERT can minimize symptoms and prevent permanent damage to the body.[13] In addition, umbilical cord blood transplantation is being performed at specialized centers for a number of these diseases. In addition, substrate reduction therapy, a method used to decrease the production of storage material, is currently being evaluated for some of these diseases. Furthermore, chaperone therapy, a technique used to stabilize the defective enzymes produced by patients, is being examined for certain of these disorders. The experimental technique of gene therapy may offer cures in the future.[14][15]

Ambroxol has recently been shown to increase activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, so it may be a useful therapeutic agent for both Gaucher disease and Parkinson's disease.[16][17] Ambroxol triggers the secretion of lysosomes from cells by inducing a pH-dependent calcium release from acidic calcium stores.[18] Hence, relieving the cell from accumulating degradation products is a proposed mechanism by which this drug may help.[citation needed]

History

Tay–Sachs disease was the first of these disorders to be described, in 1881, followed by Gaucher disease in 1882. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, de Duve and colleagues, using cell fractionation techniques, cytological studies, and biochemical analyses, identified and characterized the lysosome as a cellular organelle responsible for intracellular digestion and recycling of macromolecules. This was the scientific breakthrough that would lead to the understanding of the physiological basis of the lysosomal storage diseases. Pompe disease was the first disease to be identified as an lysosomal storage disease in 1963, with L. Hers reporting the cause as a deficiency of α-glucosidase. Hers also suggested that other diseases, such as the mucopolysaccharidosis, might be due to enzyme deficiencies.[citation needed]

See also

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.