Person:

Eichler, Florian

Background: Sphingolipids are increasingly recognized to play a role in insulin resistance and diabetes. Recently we reported significant elevations of 1-deoxysphingolipids (1-deoxySL) - an atypical class of sphingolipids in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes type 2 (T2DM). It is unknown whether 1-deoxySL in patients with diabetes type 1 (T1DM) are similarly elevated. Findings: We analyzed the long chain base profile by LC-MS after hydrolyzing the N-acyl and O-linked headgroups in plasma from individuals with T1DM (N = 27), T2DM (N = 30) and healthy controls (N = 23). 1-deoxySLs were significantly higher in the groups with T2DM but not different between T1DM and controls. In contrast to patients with T2DM, 1-deoxSL levels are not elevated in T1DM. Conclusions: Our study indicates that the 1-deoxySL formation is not per-se caused by hyperglycemia but rather specifically associated with metabolic changes in T2DM, such as elevated triglyceride levels. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1476-511X-13-161) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene encoding a peroxisomal ABC transporter. In this review, we compare estimates of incidence derived from different populations in order to provide an overview of the worldwide incidence of X-ALD. X-ALD presents with heterogeneous phenotypes ranging from adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) to inflammatory demyelinating cerebral ALD (CALD). A large number of different mutations has been described, providing a unique opportunity for analysis of functional domains within ABC transporters. Yet the molecular basis for the heterogeneity of clinical symptoms is still largely unresolved, as no correlation between genotype and phenotype exists in X-ALD. Beyond ABCD1, environmental triggers and other genetic factors have been suggested as modifiers of the disease course. Here, we summarize the findings of numerous reports that aimed at identifying modifier genes in X-ALD and discuss potential problems and future approaches to address this issue. Different options for prenatal diagnosis are summarized, and potential pitfalls when applying next-generation sequencing approaches are discussed. Recently, the measurement of very long-chain fatty acids in lysophosphatidylcholine for the identification of peroxisomal disorders was included in newborn screening programs.

Objective: Mutations in ABCD1 cause the neurodegenerative disease, adrenoleukodystrophy, which manifests as the spinal cord axonopathy adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) in nearly all males surviving into adulthood. Microglial dysfunction has long been implicated in pathogenesis of brain disease, but its role in the spinal cord is unclear. Methods: We assessed spinal cord microglia in humans and mice with AMN and investigated the role of ABCD1 in microglial activity toward neuronal phagocytosis in cell culture. Because mutations in ABCD1 lead to incorporation of very‐long‐chain fatty acids into phospholipids, we separately examined the effects of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) upon microglia. Results: Within the spinal cord of humans and mice with AMN, upregulation of several phagocytosis‐related markers, such as MFGE8 and TREM2, precedes complement activation and synapse loss. Unexpectedly, this occurs in the absence of overt inflammation. LPC C26:0 added to ABCD1‐deficient microglia in culture further enhances MFGE8 expression, aggravates phagocytosis, and leads to neuronal injury. Furthermore, exposure to a MFGE8‐blocking antibody reduces phagocytic activity. Interpretation Spinal cord microglia lacking ABCD1 are primed for phagocytosis, affecting neurons within an altered metabolic milieu. Blocking phagocytosis or specific phagocytic receptors may alleviate synapse loss and axonal degeneration. Ann Neurol 2017;82:813–827