1. Effects of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on acyl‐CoA oxidase deficiency: a sibling comparison study
- Author
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Wang, Raymond Y, Monuki, Edwin S, Powers, James, Schwartz, Phillip H, Watkins, Paul A, Shi, Yang, Moser, Ann, Shrier, David A, Waterham, Hans R, Nugent, Diane J, and Abdenur, Jose E
- Subjects
Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Cardiovascular Medicine and Haematology ,Rare Diseases ,Stem Cell Research ,Brain Disorders ,Neurosciences ,Transplantation ,Regenerative Medicine ,Clinical Research ,Biomedical Imaging ,Stem Cell Research - Nonembryonic - Human ,2.1 Biological and endogenous factors ,Aetiology ,Neurological ,Acyl-CoA Oxidase ,Brain ,Brain Diseases ,Metabolic ,Inborn ,Child ,Preschool ,Fatal Outcome ,Female ,Head Movements ,Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ,Humans ,Infant ,Infant ,Newborn ,Male ,Muscle Hypotonia ,Neural Stem Cells ,Siblings ,Treatment Outcome ,Clinical Sciences ,Genetics & Heredity ,Genetics ,Clinical sciences - Abstract
ObjectiveAcyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX1) deficiency is a rare disorder of peroxisomal very-long chain fatty acid oxidation. No reports detailing attempted treatment, longitudinal imaging, or neuropathology exist. We describe the natural history of clinical symptoms and brain imaging in two siblings with ACOX1 deficiency, including the younger sibling's response to allogeneic unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).MethodsWe conducted retrospective chart review to obtain clinical history, neuro-imaging, and neuropathology data. ACOX1 genotyping were performed to confirm the disease. In vitro fibroblast and neural stem cell fatty acid oxidation assays were also performed.ResultsBoth patients experienced a fatal neurodegenerative course, with late-stage cerebellar and cerebral gray matter atrophy. Serial brain magnetic resonance imaging in the younger sibling indicated demyelination began in the medulla and progressed rostrally to include the white matter of the cerebellum, pons, midbrain, and eventually subcortical white matter. The successfully engrafted younger sibling had less brain inflammation, cortical atrophy, and neuronal loss on neuro-imaging and neuropathology compared to the untreated older sister. Fibroblasts and stem cells demonstrated deficient very long chain fatty acid oxidation.InterpretationAlthough HSCT did not halt the course of ACOX1 deficiency, it reduced the extent of white matter inflammation in the brain. Demyelination continued because of ongoing neuronal loss, which may be due to inability of transplant to prevent progression of gray matter disease, adverse effects of chronic corticosteroid use to control graft-versus-host disease, or intervention occurring beyond a critical point for therapeutic efficacy.
- Published
- 2014