Spontaneous mucolipidosis in a cat: an animal model of human I-cell disease.

A 7-month-old female cat was seen for abnormal facial features and abnormality of gait. Facial dysmorphism, large paws in relation to body size, dysostosis multiplex, and poor growth were noted, and mucopolysaccharidosis was suspected. A negative urine test for sulfated glycosaminoglycans and extreme stiffness of skin indicated a mucolipidosis hitherto unknown in animals. Deficiency of UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GlcNAc-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.8.17) activity was demonstrated in leukocytes and cultured fibroblasts, which had the appearance of inclusion cells (I-cells). Activities of a set of lysosomal hydrolases were abnormally low in fibroblasts and excessive in blood plasma. Postmortem morphology revealed lysosomal inclusions predominantly in fibroblasts but also in endothelial cells and chondrocytes, i.e., in cells of mesenchymal origin. Storage lysosomes contained oligosaccharides, mucopolysaccharides, and lipids. Tissues most affected were bones, cartilage, skin, and other connective tissues such as those in heart valves, aortic wall, and vocal cords. Parenchymal cells of liver and kidney were unaffected, as was skeletal muscle. Only a few of the cerebral cortical neurons had lipid inclusions; in sciatic nerve some axons were affected, but other peripheral nerves were normal. There were striking clinical, biochemical, and morphologic similarities between the disorder in this cat and the human I-cell disease.

[I-cell disease and pseudo-Hurler polydystrophy].

I-cell disease (ML II) and pseudo-Hurler poly-dystrophy (ML-III) are lysosomal storage diseases caused by abnormal lysosomal enzyme phosphorylation and localization. In both diseases, newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes are secreted into the extra-cellular medium instead of being targeted correctly to lysosomes. All cells and tissues of affected medium instead of being targeted correctly to lysosomes. All cells and tissues of affected patients are deficient in UDP-N-acetylglucosamine: lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase activity. However, we have demonstrated that liver cells from ML II patients have normal lysosomal enzyme contents. In Japan, ML II is a relatively common disorder whereas ML III is very rare as compared to Western Countries. The natural history of 21 cases with ML II, as well as 5 prenatally diagnosed cases of ML II, have been reported by our research group.