Nature Medicine10, 704 - 711 (2004)
Published online: 20 June 2004; | doi:10.1038/nm1073
Niemann−Pick type C disease involves disrupted neurosteroidogenesis and responds to allopregnanolone
Lisa D Griffin1, 4, Wenhui Gong2, 4, Lucie Verot3
& Synthia H Mellon2
1
Department of Neurology, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and the Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, California 94143-0556, USA.
2
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences and the Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, California 94143-0556, USA.
3
INSERM U189 and Laboratoire Fondation Gillet-Merieux, Lyon-Sud Medical School and Hospital, Pierre-Benite 69310, France.
Niemann−Pick type C (NP-C) disease is a fatal, autosomal recessive, childhood neurodegenerative disease. The NP-C mouse recapitulates the cholesterol and sphingolipid storage, onset of neurological deficits, histopathological lesions, Purkinje cell loss and early death typical of the most severe form of human NP-C. Neurosteroids, steroids made in the brain, affect neuronal growth and differentiation, and modulate neurotransmitter receptors. Disordered cholesterol trafficking might disrupt neurosteroidogenesis, thereby contributing to the NP-C phenotype. Here we show that NP-C mouse brain contains substantially less neurosteroid than wild-type brain and has an age-related decrease in the ability to synthesize 5-dihydroprogesterone and allopregnanolone. Immunohistochemical assessment confirms a decrease in expression of 5-reductase and 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, especially in cerebellum. Neonatal administration of allopregnanolone delays the onset of neurological symptoms, increases Purkinje and granule cell survival, reduces cortical GM2 and GM3 ganglioside accumulation and doubles the lifespan of NP-C mice. Earlier administration increases effectiveness of treatment. Decreased production of allopregnanolone apparently contributes to the pathology of NP-C; thus, neurosteroid treatment may be useful in ameliorating progression of the disease.
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-dihydroprogesterone and allopregnanolone. Immunohistochemical assessment confirms a decrease in expression of 5
