A model of mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB in pigs.
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ABSTRACT: Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB) is a rare genetic disorder caused by loss-of-function mutations in the NAGLU gene. Pigs are an ideal large animal model for human diseases; however, a porcine model of MPS IIIB has not been reported. We have previously generated a heterozygous NAGLU-deficient (NAGLU+/-) Large White boar via a transgenic approach. Here we characterized phenotypes of the F1 offspring of this founder to establish a pig model for MPS IIIB. qRT-PCR revealed that the NAGLU expression level was significantly decreased in a variety of tissues in NAGLU+/- pigs. ELISA assays showed obvious deficiency of NAGLU and higher (P<0.05) glycosaminoglycan levels in multiple tissues from NAGLU+/- pigs. NAGLU+/- pigs grew at a significantly (P<0.05) slower rate than control animals (NAGLU+/+). Death, mostly sudden death, occurred at all ages in NAGLU+/- pigs, most of which died within two years. Necropsy findings included pleural adhesions, lung shrinkage and abnormalities in the pericardium and mild hepatomegaly in NAGLU+/- pigs. Notable pathological changes were observed in the sections of brain, liver, spleen and kidney from NAGLU+/- pigs. Brain atrophy, ventriculomegaly, cerebellar atrophy and abnormalities in the intracerebral capsule, parietal lobes and the thalamus were also evident in NAGLU+/- pigs. Together, NAGLU+/- pigs show typical symptoms of human MPS IIIB patients and thus represent a novel large animal model for the disease.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
SUBMITTER: Yang Q
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6215415 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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