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Kulessa M, Weyer-Menkhoff I, Viergutz L, Kornblum C, Claeys KG, Schneider I, Plöckinger U, Young P, Boentert M, Vielhaber S, Mawrin C, Bergmann M, Weis J, Ziagaki A, Stenzel W, Deschauer M, Nolte D, Hahn A, Schoser B, Schänzer A. An integrative correlation of myopathology, phenotype and genotype in late onset Pompe disease. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2019; 46:359-374. [PMID: 31545528 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Pompe disease is caused by pathogenic mutations in the alpha 1,4-glucosidase (GAA) gene and in patients with late onset Pome disease (LOPD), genotype-phenotype correlations are unpredictable. Skeletal muscle pathology includes glycogen accumulation and altered autophagy of various degrees. A correlation of the muscle morphology with clinical features and the genetic background in GAA may contribute to the understanding of the phenotypic variability. METHODS Muscle biopsies taken before enzyme replacement therapy were analysed from 53 patients with LOPD. On resin sections, glycogen accumulation, fibrosis, autophagic vacuoles and the degree of muscle damage (morphology-score) were analysed and the results were compared with clinical findings. Additional autophagy markers microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3, p62 and Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 were analysed on cryosections from 22 LOPD biopsies. RESULTS The myopathology showed a high variability with, in most patients, a moderate glycogen accumulation and a low morphology-score. High morphology-scores were associated with increased fibrosis and autophagy highlighting the role of autophagy in severe stages of skeletal muscle damage. The morphology-score did not correlate with the patient's age at biopsy, disease duration, nor with the residual GAA enzyme activity or creatine-kinase levels. In 37 patients with LOPD, genetic analysis identified the most frequent mutation, c.-32-13T>G, in 95%, most commonly in combination with c.525delT (19%). No significant correlation was found between the different GAA genotypes and muscle morphology type. CONCLUSIONS Muscle morphology in LOPD patients shows a high variability with, in most cases, moderate pathology. Increased pathology is associated with more fibrosis and autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kulessa
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - I Weyer-Menkhoff
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - L Viergutz
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - C Kornblum
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - K G Claeys
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Laboratory for Muscle Diseases and Neuropathies, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - I Schneider
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - U Plöckinger
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Metabolism: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - P Young
- Department of Sleep Medicine and Neuromuscular Disorders, Muenster University Hospital, Münster, Germany.,Medical Park Reithofpark, Bad Feilnbach, Germany
| | - M Boentert
- Department of Sleep Medicine and Neuromuscular Disorders, Muenster University Hospital, Münster, Germany
| | - S Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - C Mawrin
- Institute of Neuropathology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - M Bergmann
- Institute of Clinical Neuropathology, Klinikum Bremen-Mitte, Bremen, Germany
| | - J Weis
- Institute of Neuropathology, RWTH University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - A Ziagaki
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Metabolism: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - W Stenzel
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Deschauer
- Department of Neurology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - D Nolte
- Institute of Human Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - A Hahn
- Department of Child Neurology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - B Schoser
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, LMU University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - A Schänzer
- Institute of Neuropathology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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Ziagaki A, Blaschke D, Haverkamp W, Plöckinger U. Long-term growth hormone (GH) replacement of adult GH deficiency (GHD) benefits the heart. Eur J Endocrinol 2019; 181:79-91. [PMID: 31100717 DOI: 10.1530/eje-19-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is related to increased cardiovascular mortality. We studied clinical status, concentration of amino-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic-peptide (NT-proBNP) and echocardiographic parameters during long-term GH replacement (GH-R). METHODS Fifty-one patients (29 females), 45.9 ± 11.3 years (mean ± s.d.), median follow-up 36.2 months, echocardiography and laboratory determinations initially and at 12-months intervals. RESULTS At the last follow-up (last observation carried forward) (LFU (LOCF)) insulin-like growth-factor-1 standard deviation score (IGF-1 SDS) was ±1 in 92% of the patients. The median NT-proBNP declined significantly and stabilized (-40.5%) at LFU (LOCF) due to patients with a basal NT-proBNP >125 ng/L (indicative of heart failure). The basal NT-proBNP and the final IGF-1 SDS were significant predictors of the NT-proBNP at LFU (LOCF). Initially left ventricular enddiastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWD) and ejection fraction (EF) were normal, while interventricular septum diameter (IVSD) and left ventricular mass index (LVMi) were slightly increased. LVPWD and IVSD had significantly declined by year three. The LVMi was moderately to severely abnormal in 37.3 and 52.0% of patients initially and at LFU (LOCF). At LFU (LOCF) LVMi and IGF-1 were significantly correlated in the 14 male patients of this subgroup. CONCLUSION Long-term GH-R of GHD positively affected ISVD and LVPWD. In a subgroup of patients with severe GHD, LVMi increased concomitantly to the decline in NT-proBNP and this was positively correlated to the final IGF-1 concentration. Whether this observation indicates a positive development in a structurally altered heart muscle (reversal of adverse remodelling) or poses a future risk for heart failure needs further follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ziagaki
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Metabolism, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
| | - D Blaschke
- Clinic of Cardiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - W Haverkamp
- Clinic of Cardiology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - U Plöckinger
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Metabolism, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
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Plöckinger U, Ziagaki A. The German National Action League for people with rare diseases: translating the three tiers center system into active co-operation, a one center experience. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2019; 14:158. [PMID: 31248438 PMCID: PMC6598233 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-1130-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2009 the European Commission called for National action plans (NAP) to improve the care for persons with rare diseases. Germany set up a NAP in 2013 suggesting a three-tiered structure of co-operating centers (CC), centers of excellence (CE) and reference centers (CR). Since then CEs and CRs were organized in the framework of university hospitals. However, realization of CCs taking into account the requirements of the NAP has been slow. We therefore set-up a 12-months program to initiate co-operation and to support the development of structured CCs. Methods Our center invited 3000 physicians from Berlin and/or Brandenburg to participate. They were chosen either due to already referring patients with rare metabolic diseases to the center, residing in a neighborhood with diverse ethnic background, known to have a high prevalence for specific metabolic diseases, or working as a medical sub-specialist (gastroenterology, hematology, rheumatology) with a high probability to diagnose a rare metabolic disease. The center offered co-operation contracts, administrative and structured medical support, privileged access to the center for physicians and their patients, as well as a program of continuous medical education (CME) over a period of 12 months. Results Between 0.1 to 0.5% (mean 0.2%) of the invited physicians participated in CME meetings. None of them was interested in setting up a co-operating center. The physicians were interested in broadening their knowledge about rare diseases, but less so in direct care for these patients and not at all in fulfilling the requirements of the NAP. Conclusions The requirements of the NAP for CC are thought of as unrealistic due to their demands on structural re-organization, quality measurements and additional work-load for outpatient-care. Especially so, with respect for the low number of patients profiting from these efforts and the lack of re-imbursement. We suggest a reconsideration of the German NAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Plöckinger
- Center of Excellence for Rare Metabolic Diseases, Interdisciplinary Center of Metabolism: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University-Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13352, Berlin, Germany.
| | - A Ziagaki
- Center of Excellence for Rare Metabolic Diseases, Interdisciplinary Center of Metabolism: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University-Medicine Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13352, Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
Background Pompe disease (PD) is an autosomal recessive, lysosomal storage disease due to a mutation of the acid α-glucosidase (GAA) gene. In adult patients, PD is characterized by slowly progressive limb-girdle and trunk myopathy and restrictive respiratory insufficiency. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is available, improving or stabilizing muscle-function in some and slowing deterioration in other patients. Unfortunately, there is no biomarker available to indicate therapeutic efficacy and/or disease activity. Whole body MRI depicts all skeletal muscles demonstrating foci of atrophic muscles, i.e., late and irreversible pathological changes. Any method indicating the localizations of increased muscle glycogen storage, muscle inflammation and/or degradation could possibly help identifying newly afflicted tissue and may be of prognostic value. We therefore investigated 2-deoxy-2-[18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) PET, a biomarker for glucose-metabolism, as a tool to evaluate disease activity and prognosis in PD. Methods In a pilot study, we investigated four patients by FDG dynamic PET/CT while on ERT. One patient had FDG-PET/CT twice, before and after 12 months on ERT. Dynamic FDG-PET/CT quantifies the metabolic rate of glucose utilisation in mg/ml/min. MRI was performed in parallel with pelvic and thigh muscles semi-quantitatively scored for atrophy and disease-activity. Results None of the muscles analysed showed a focally increased FDG-uptake. Thus, quantification of muscle glucose metabolism could not be calculated. However, increased FDG-uptake, i.e., increased glucose utilisation, was observed in the respiratory muscles of one patient with severe, restrictive respiratory failure. In contrast, specific MRI sequences showed oedematous as well as atrophic muscle areas in PD. Conclusions Our pilot study demonstrates that FDG-uptake does not correlate with glycogen storage in vivo. In contrast, MRI is an excellent tool to demonstrate the extent of muscle involvement. Specific MRI sequences may even demonstrate early changes possibly allowing prognostic predictions or localization of early stages of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Plöckinger
- Kompetenzzentrum Seltene Stoffwechselkrankheiten, Interdisziplinäres Stoffwechsel-Centrum: Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Stoffwechsel, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, 13352, Berlin, Germany.
| | - V Prasad
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Nuclear Medicine Universitätsklinik Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - A Ziagaki
- Kompetenzzentrum Seltene Stoffwechselkrankheiten, Interdisziplinäres Stoffwechsel-Centrum: Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Stoffwechsel, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, 13352, Berlin, Germany
| | - N Tiling
- Kompetenzzentrum Seltene Stoffwechselkrankheiten, Interdisziplinäres Stoffwechsel-Centrum: Endokrinologie, Diabetes und Stoffwechsel, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, 13352, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Poellinger
- Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Pediatric Radiology, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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