Both type 1 and type 2a muscle fibers can respond to enzyme therapy in Pompe disease

Muscle Nerve. 2008 Feb;37(2):251-5. doi: 10.1002/mus.20896.

Abstract

Muscle weakness is the main symptom of Pompe disease, a lysosomal storage disorder for which major clinical benefits of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) have been documented recently. Restoration of skeletal muscle function is a challenging goal. Type 2 muscle fibers of mice with Pompe disease have proven resistant to therapy. To investigate the response in humans, we studied muscle biopsies of a severely affected infant before and after 17 months of therapy. Type 1 and 2a fibers were marked with antibodies, and lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (Lamp1) was used as the lysosomal membrane marker. Quantitative measurements showed a 2.5-3-fold increase of fiber cross-sectional area of both fiber types during therapy and normalization of the Lamp1 signal in approximately 95% of type 1 and approximately 75% of type 2a fibers. The response of both type 1 and 2a muscle fibers in the patient studied herein corroborates the beneficial effects of enzyme therapy seen in patients with Pompe disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type II / pathology*
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type II / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lysosomal Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / drug effects*
  • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch / physiology
  • Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / drug effects*
  • Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch / physiology
  • alpha-Glucosidases / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • LAMP1 protein, human
  • Lysosomal Membrane Proteins
  • alpha-Glucosidases