Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from mouse models of lysosomal storage disorders

Most lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are life-threatening genetic diseases. The pathogenesis of these diseases is poorly understood. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology offers new opportunities for both mechanistic studies and development of stem cell-based therapies. Here we report the generation of disease-specific iPS cells from mouse models of Fabry disease, globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD), and mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPSVII). These mouse model-derived iPS cells showed defects in disease-specific enzyme activities and significant accumulation of substrates for these enzymes. In the lineage-directed differentiation studies, Fabry-iPS and GLD-iPS cells were efficiently differentiated into disease-relevant cell types, such as cardiomyocytes and neural stem cells, which might be useful in mechanistic and therapeutic studies. Notably, MPSVII-iPS cells demonstrated a markedly impaired ability to form embryoid bodies (EBs) in vitro. MPSVII-EBs exibited elevated levels of hyaluronan and its receptor CD44, and markedly reduced expression levels of E-cadherin and cell-proliferating marker. Partial correction of enzyme deficiency in MSPVII-iPS cells led to improved EB formation and reversal of aberrant protein expression. These data indicate a potential mechanism for the partial lethality of MPSVII mice in utero, and suggest a possible abnormality of embryonic development in MPSVII patients. Thus, our study demonstrates the unique promise of iPS cells for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of LSDs.