Respiratory Impairment in Mucopolysaccharidosis Patients: Impact of Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) on the Proteases/Antiproteases Balance

Detailed Summary

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) are a group of inherited, metabolic diseases caused by a deficiency of lysosomal enzymes that degrade glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Loss of their activity results in cellular accumulation of GAGs fragments leading to progressive multi-system manifestations, with respiratory impairment. The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the pulmonary impairment remain largely unknown. Specific GAGs, such as those accumulating in MPS, may act as potent inhibitors of some respiratory enzymes, like lysosomal cathepsins, depending on the nature of GAGs and their concentration. It is well established that deregulation of cathepsins levels plays a major role in the pathophysiology of some chronic respiratory diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. The role of cathepsins and their inhibitors in respiratory samples of MPS patients has never been studied. This study will focus on the status/activity of these proteases and their endogenous inhibitors in the sputum or tracheal aspiration of patients with MPS. Our main hypothesis is that high levels of GAGs in MPS patients impair the physiological activity of cathepsins and their inhibitors.

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