i(3)so3-galactosylceramide and Multiple-Sclerosis

Myelin lipids have long been thought to play intriguing roles in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). This review summarizes current understanding of the molecular basis of MS with emphasis on the: (i.) physico-chemical properties, organization and accessibility of the lipids and their distribution within the myelin multilayer; (ii.) characterization of myelin lipid structures, and structure-function relationships relevant to MS mechanisms, and; (iii.) immunogenic and other features of lipids in MS including molecular mimicry, lipid enzyme genetic knockouts, glycolipid-reactive NKT cells, and monoclonal antibody-induced remyelination. New findings associate anti-lipid antibodies with pathophysiological biomarkers and suggest clinical utility. The structure of CD1d-lipid complexed with the lipophilic invariant T cell receptor (iTCR) may be crucial to understanding MS pathogenesis, and design of lipid antigen-specific therapeutics. Novel immuno-modulatory tools for treatment of autoimmune diseases including MS in which there is both constraint of inflammation and stimulation of remyelination are now emerging.

Topics: Glycolipids; Humans; Membrane Lipids; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Sheath; Nerve Regeneration; Phospholipids; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; T-Lymphocytes

Here we briefly review our understanding of the immune response to myelin-derived glycolipids during an inflammatory autoimmune response in the central nervous system (CNS). We focus primarily on the recognition of the self-glycolipid sulfatide by a distinct population of non-invariant NK T cells. The results of studies we have obtained so far in investigating the presentation of sulfatide by CNS-resident cells including microglia and their interactions with T cells indicate that this pathway might be successfully targeted for the treatment of autoimmune demyelination in multiple sclerosis.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, CD1; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Galactosylceramides; Glycolipids; Humans; Killer Cells, Natural; Mice; Multiple Sclerosis; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; T-Lymphocytes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. The glycosphingolipid sulfatide, a lipid particularly enriched in the myelin sheath, has been shown to be involved the maintenance of this specific membrane structure. Sulfatide in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may reflect demyelination, a dominating feature of MS. We investigated the diagnostic utility of CSF sulfatide isoform levels to separate different courses or phenotypes of MS disease.. This was a mono-center, cross-sectional study of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (n = 45) and progressive MS (PMS) (n = 42) patients (consisting of primary PMS (n = 17) and secondary PMS (n = 25)) and healthy controls (n = 19). In total, 20 sulfatide isoforms were measured in CSF by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.. CSF total sulfatide concentrations, as well as CSF sulfatide isoform distribution, did not differ across the study groups, and their levels were independent of disease course/phenotype, disease duration, time to conversion to secondary PMS, age, and disability in MS patients.. CSF sulfatide isoforms lack diagnostic and prognostic utility as a biomarker for progressive MS.

Topics: Biomarkers; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Protein Isoforms; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Anti-glycolipid antibodies have been reported to play pathogenic roles in peripheral inflammatory neuropathies, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. On the other hand, the role in multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammatory demyelinating disease in the central nervous system (CNS), is largely unknown, although the presence of anti-glycolipid antibodies was reported to differ among MS patients with relapsing-remitting (RR), primary progressive (PP), and secondary progressive (SP) disease courses. We investigated whether the induction of anti-glycolipid antibodies could differ among experimental MS models with distinct clinical courses, depending on induction methods. Using three mouse strains, SJL/J, C57BL/6, and A.SW mice, we induced five distinct experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)

Topics: Animals; Antibodies; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Glycolipids; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; Theilovirus

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Its early phase is characterized by a relapse-remitting disease course, followed by disability progression in the later stage. While chronic inflammation accompanied with degeneration is well-established as the key pathological feature, the pathogenesis of MS, particularly progressive MS, remains elusive. Sulfatide is a major glycolipid component of myelin, and previous studies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse models have demonstrated it to have immune-protective functions. Notably, sulfatide concentration is increased in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with MS, particularly those in a progressive disease course. Here, we show that the myelin-glycolipid sulfatide displays an ability to suppress the proliferation of polyclonally activated human T cells. Importantly, this suppressive effect was impaired in T cells obtained from MS patients having higher disability status. Therefore, it is plausible that progression of MS is associated with an escape from the immune-regulatory effect of sulfatide. Our study suggests that, although the precise mechanisms remain unrevealed, an escape of T cells from immunosuppression by sulfatide is associated with disease progression in the advanced stage. Further studies will provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of MS, particularly regarding disease progression, and help develop novel treatment strategies for this challenging disease.

Topics: Animals; Disease Progression; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Humans; Immunosuppression Therapy; Mice; Multiple Sclerosis; Severity of Illness Index; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; T-Lymphocytes

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Several biomarkers including proteins and lipids have been reported in MS cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), reflecting different aspects of the pathophysiology particularly of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Sulfatide, abundant in the myelin sheath and a proposed target for autoimmune attack in MS, has been reported altered in MS CSF. Here, we investigated the potential of CSF sulfatide and its isoforms as biomarkers in MS. A highly sensitive and quantitative mass spectrometry method was employed to determine levels of sulfatide isoforms in CSF from RRMS and progressive MS (PMS) patients, and healthy donors (HD). We demonstrate that levels of total CSF sulfatide and C24:1, C26:1, and C26:1-OH isoforms were significantly increased in PMS compared with RRMS patients and HD, while C23:0-OH was significantly decreased in CSF from PMS patients compared to the other two groups. Multivariate discriminant analysis showed that CSF sulfatide isoform pattern in PMS patients was distinct and non-overlapping with that of RRMS patients and HD. Sulfatide levels did not correlate with tested biomarkers or clinical parameters. The results suggest that CSF sulfatide isoform levels may be used to discriminate the phenotype of MS and might play a role in the progression of the disease.

Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Cytokines; Disease Progression; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; Neurofilament Proteins; Principal Component Analysis; Protein Isoforms; ROC Curve; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; T-Lymphocytes; Young Adult

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a devastating neurological disease, which is characterized by multifocal demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system. The most abundant myelin lipids are galactosylceramides and their sulfated form, sulfatides, which together account for about 27% of the total dry weight of myelin. In this study we investigated the role of vitamin K in remyelination, by using an animal model for MS, the cuprizone model. Demyelination was induced in C57Bl6/J mice, by feeding them a special diet containing 0.3% cuprizone (w/w) for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, cuprizone was removed from the diet and mice were allowed to remyelinate for either 1 or 3 weeks, in the absence or presence of vitamin K (i.p. phylloquinone, 2mg, three times per week). Vitamin K enhanced the production of total brain sulfatides, after both 1 week and 3 weeks of remyelination (n = 5, P-values were <0.0001), when compared with the control group. To determine whether or not there is a synergistic effect between vitamins K and D for the production of brain sulfatides, we employed a similar experiment as above. Vitamin K also increased the production of individual brain sulfatides, including d18:1/18:0, d18:1/20:0, d18:1/24:0, and d18:1/24:1 after 3 weeks of remyelination, when compared to the control group. In addition, vitamin D enhanced the production of total brain sulfatides, as well as d18:1/18:0, d18:1/24:0, and d18:1/24:1 sulfatides after 3 weeks of remyelination, but no synergistic effect between vitamins K and D for the production of total brain sulfatides was observed.

Topics: Animals; Brain; Cuprizone; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Galactosylceramides; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Multiple Sclerosis; Neuroprotective Agents; Remyelination; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; Swine; Vitamin D; Vitamin K

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane nanovesicles of diverse sizes secreted by different cell types and are involved in intercellular communication. EVs shuttle proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that reflect their cellular origin and could mediate their biological function in recipient cells. EVs circulate in biological fluids and are considered as potential biomarkers that could be used to analyze and characterize disease development, course and response to treatment. EVs exhibit specific distribution of glycolipids and membrane organization, but little is known about the biological significance of this distribution or how it could contribute to pathological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS). We provide the first description of sulfatide composition in plasma-derived EVs by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. We found that EVs of different sizes showed C16:0 sulfatide but no detectable levels of C18:0, C24:0, or C24:1 sulfatide species. Small EVs isolated at 100,000 × g-enriched in exosomes-from plasma of patients with MS showed a significant increase of C16:0 sulfatide compared with healthy controls. Nanoparticle tracking analysis showed that the particle size distribution in MS plasma was significantly different compared with healthy controls. Characterization of small EVs isolated from MS plasma showed similar protein content and similar levels of exosomal markers (Alix, Rab-5B) and vesicular marker MHC class I (major histocompatibility complex class I) compared with healthy controls. Our findings indicate that C16:0 sulfatide associated with small EVs is a candidate biomarker for MS that could potentially reflect pathological changes associated with this disease and/or the effects of its treatment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics: Adult; Biomarkers; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cytoplasmic Vesicles; Extracellular Vesicles; Female; Genes, MHC Class I; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; Tandem Mass Spectrometry; Young Adult

Identification of biomarkers in multiple sclerosis is a very complex problem, and intensive work is being made in this field for the last decades. The importance of establishing biomarkers of multiple sclerosis is related to the high disease heterogeneity and lack of characteristic symptoms that leads to diagnostic, prognostic challenges and difficulties in making decisions about therapy. In this paper, we review the most important biomarkers and discuss their diagnostic and prognostic value. Experimental results on neurofilament heavy chains and antibodies to sulfatide in multiple sclerosis are presented.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies; Biomarkers; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Prognosis; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

A proportion of healthy siblings of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have an oligoclonal immunological reaction in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) termed the "MS oligoclonal trait". The CSF levels of the major myelin glycosphingolipid sulfatide and serum antibodies against the glycosphingolipids sulfatide and galactosylceramide were recently reported to be increased in MS patients. We studied the levels of these substances in pairs of 46 patients and their 46 healthy siblings and 50 unrelated healthy blood donors (HBD). The sulfatide concentration in CSF was assayed by thin layer chromatography and immunostaining, and the concentration of galactosylceramide by densitometry after thin layer chromatography. Anti-glycosphingolipid antibody levels were assayed by ELISA. In the healthy siblings, the CSF sulfatide concentrations were markedly increased (p<0.001, age adjusted p=0.025), and the serum IgM anti-GalCer antibodies were increased in healthy siblings compared with HBD (p=0.02). The increased sulfatide or antibody levels did not co-segregate with the "MS oligoclonal trait" or the HLA-DR15 phenotype. In conclusion, a proportion of healthy siblings of MS patients have increased CSF sulfatide and anti-glycosphingolipid antibody levels, which may, analogous to the "MS oligoclonal trait", constitute an "MS glycosphingolipid endophenotype". Endophenotypes could potentially simplify the genetics of complex disorders.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Autoantibodies; Biomarkers; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glycosphingolipids; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Siblings; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; Up-Regulation; Young Adult

αβ T-cell lines specific for sulfatide, an abundant myelin glycosphingolipid presented by various CD1 molecules, have been previously derived from PBMCs of patients with demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) but also from healthy subjects. Using an unbiased tetramer-based MACS enrichment method to enrich for rare antigen-specific cells, we confirmed the presence of CD1d-sulfatide-specific T cells in all healthy individuals examined. Surprisingly, the great majority of fresh sulfatide-specific T cells belonged to the γδ lineage. Furthermore, these cells used the Vδ1 TCR variable segment, which is uncommon in the blood but predominates in tissues such as the gut and specifically accumulates in MS lesions. Recombinant Vδ1 TCRs from different individuals were shown to bind recombinant CD1d-sulfatide complexes in a sulfatide-specific manner. These results provide the first direct demonstration of MHC-like-restricted, antigen-specific recognition by γδ TCRs. Together with previous reports, they support the notion that human Vδ1 T cells are enriched in CD1-specific T cells and suggest that the Vδ1 T-cell population that accumulates in MS lesions might be enriched in CD1-sulfatide-specific cells.

Topics: Antigens; Antigens, CD1d; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Genes, MHC Class I; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; T-Lymphocytes

Recent studies suggest that increased T-cell and autoantibody reactivity to lipids may be present in the autoimmune demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis. To perform large-scale multiplex analysis of antibody responses to lipids in multiple sclerosis, we developed microarrays composed of lipids present in the myelin sheath, including ganglioside, sulfatide, cerebroside, sphingomyelin and total brain lipid fractions. Lipid-array analysis showed lipid-specific antibodies against sulfatide, sphingomyelin and oxidized lipids in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) derived from individuals with multiple sclerosis. Sulfatide-specific antibodies were also detected in SJL/J mice with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Immunization of mice with sulfatide plus myelin peptide resulted in a more severe disease course of EAE, and administration of sulfatide-specific antibody exacerbated EAE. Thus, autoimmune responses to sulfatide and other lipids are present in individuals with multiple sclerosis and in EAE, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune demyelination.

Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; Brain; Disease Models, Animal; Encephalitis; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Humans; Lipids; Mice; Microarray Analysis; Multiple Sclerosis; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; T-Lymphocytes

The identity of target antigen(s) in multiple sclerosis (MS) remains elusive despite much effort to identify it. We analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with MS, other neurological diseases (OND), other diseases (OD) and healthy controls for antibodies against purified sulfatide, a major glycosphingolipid of human myelin, by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a thin-layer chromatogram (TLC)-immunostaining technique. Elevated anti-sulfatide antibodies were significantly higher in MS patients as compared with the OND group (p<0.05) and all controls combined (P<0.025). Binding of high titer antibodies to sulfatide was confirmed with TLC-immunostaining. Anti-sulfatide antibodies were detected in all subtypes of MS although the frequency was higher in patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) than in patients with primary progressive (PPMS) and relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The data demonstrate a humoral response to sulfatide in the CSF of patients with MS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Autoantibodies; Central Nervous System Diseases; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Diabetes Mellitus; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Lupus Vulgaris; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Sheath; Myocardial Infarction; Neoplasms; Protein Binding; Recurrence; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

The accumulation of sulfatide (sulfatogalactosyl cerebroside) and changes in the sulfatide species present have been examined in the cerebellum of day 6-32 aged rats and in multiple sclerosis (MS) tissue samples. Negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry with daughter and parent ion analyses were used to distinguish the fatty acyl character in the amide linkage of sulfatide; measurement was done by selected ion and multiple reaction monitoring of individually identified sulfatide molecules. Sulfatide accumulation in rat cerebellum shows that 18:0- and hydroxylated 18:0-sulfatide are the first sulfatide molecules detectable. Very long fatty acyl chain sulfatide molecules (>20:0) are present at day 7 and the ratio of non-hydroxylated compared to hydroxylated sulfatide rises as the amount of non-hydroxylated sulfatide increases. 24:1-sulfatide accumulates at a ratio of about 3:1 over 24:0-sulfatide during active myelination. Analyses of the sulfatide in human tissue have shown differences between MS plaque tissues, normal appearing adjacent white matter and control tissues. The findings show that total sulfatide is reduced by 60% in the plaque matter and decreased 25% in adjacent normal appearing white matter. There are significant increases (P=0.05) in the amount of hydroxylation of sulfatide, demonstrated by an increase in the percentage of hydroxylated h24:0-sulfatide (hydroxy-lignoceroyl sulfatide).

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Animals; Brain Chemistry; Cerebellum; Demyelinating Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Mass Spectrometry; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Proteins; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Anti-chondroitin sulfates (ChSs) antibodies have been reported in neuropathy and neurodegenerative diseases. Differences in specificities may account for their association with different diseases. Sera from 303 neurological patients were tested for antibodies to ChSs A, B, C. Titers >/=51,200 were found in 16 patients (eight peripheral neuropathy, three motor neuron disease, four multiple sclerosis, one myelitis). Three patients also had anti-sulfatides antibodies, which in two cases cross-reacted with ChSs. By indirect immunofluorescence, positive sera stained nuclei on normal human peripheral nerve sections. These findings indicate that human anti-ChSs antibodies are broadly reactive and not specific to any neurological disease.

Topics: Absorption; Antibodies; Chondroitin Sulfates; Cross Reactions; Dermatan Sulfate; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Humans; Immune Sera; Motor Neuron Disease; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelitis; Nervous System Diseases; Statistics as Topic; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

The occurrence and role of autoantibodies to gangliosides and other lipid-containing components of the central nervous system in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are unsettled. Using sensitive ELISAs, we measured IgG and IgM antibody titers and absorbances to the three major gangliosides GD1a, GD1b and GM1, and to sulfatides, cardiolipin and myelin proteins in paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with untreated MS, optic neuritis (ON), acute aseptic meningo-encephalitis (AM) and other neurological diseases (OND). Twenty-three per cent of 30 MS (P<0.04) and 18% of 32 ON patients (P<0.05) presented elevated IgG antibody titers to GD1a in serum compared to 9% of patients with OND. Six (40%) of the patients with malignant MS had elevated serum IgG antibody titers to GD1a compared to one (6%) of the patients with benign MS (P<0.04). In CSF, elevated IgG antibody titers to GD1a were measured in 13% of MS and 20% of ON patients compared to 4% of patients with OND (P<0. 03 and P<0.02, respectively). The augmented IgG response to GD1a in serum also separated MS from Guillain-Barré syndrome. Compared to OND increased IgM absorbances to sulfatides and cardiolipin were observed in CSF of patients with MS, but also in AM. Elevated IgG antibody titers to myelin proteins were found more often in MS patients' serum and MS, ON and AM patients' CSF compared to OND. The data implicate that among the multitude of enhanced B-cell responses occurring in MS and ON, that directed to GD1a is common and more discriminative, and should be evaluated in future MS treatment studies.

Topics: Adult; Antibodies, Anticardiolipin; Autoantibodies; B-Lymphocytes; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Female; G(M1) Ganglioside; Gangliosides; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Meningoencephalitis; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Basic Protein; Nervous System Diseases; Optic Neuritis; Recurrence; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Brain; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Mice; Microscopy, Electron; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Basic Protein; Rats; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

In a previous paper, we described the production of a sulfatide-reactive IgM antibody-secreting B cell line that was obtained by Epstein-Barr virus transformation of peripheral B cells from a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) (Uhlig and Dernick, 1989). In the present study, we demonstrate that this human monoclonal antibody (humAb) DS1F8 selectively binds to the surface of living oligodendrocytes in mixed brain cell cultures of newborn rats. Since a mouse mAb reactive with sulfatide was shown to inhibit oligodendrocyte progenitor differentiation, autoantibodies with binding specificities similar to DS1F8 could play a role in the demyelinating process in the CNS.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Cells, Cultured; Cross Reactions; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Proteins; Oligodendroglia; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

A 4-year old boy died of diffuse disseminated sclerosis (DDS) of the brain and was found to have also pseudoarylsulfatase A deficiency (PASAD) with about 20% residual arylsulfatase A (ASA) and cerebroside sulfatase (CS) activity. The reexamination of lipids did not show any sulfatide accumulation in the patient's organ extracts. Although the residual CS activity in the patient's extracts was clearly demonstrable only after partial purification, it was concluded that this activity protects organ tissues from sulfatide accumulation in PASAD, since in sulfatide lipidosis (metachromatic leukodystrophy, MLD) no residual CS activity was detectable. The study of residual ASA activity in the patient's fibroblasts by gel electrofocusing resulted in an almost normal enzyme microheterogeneity. However, the detailed study of the brain galactolipids in the patient revealed an elevated ratio of sulfatide/galactocerebroside content, despite the decrease of both lipids. In tissues of other patients with severe demyelinating diseases different from DDS and MLD, this galactolipid ratio was also found to be increased, especially in three patients with adrenoleukodystrophy. A general mechanism of this anomaly in severe demyelination is considered.

Topics: Adolescent; Adrenoleukodystrophy; Adult; Brain; Cerebroside-Sulfatase; Child; Child, Preschool; Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis of Schilder; Female; Galactolipids; Galactosylceramides; Glycolipids; Humans; Infant; Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic; Male; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

In a four and a half-year-old boy with a progressive cerebral process in his last year of life the arylsulfatase A (ASA) and cerebroside sulfatase activity was lowered to values only slightly above those of metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) homozygotes. Morphologically, however, the brain showed a diffuse-disseminated sclerosis without any findings of MLD. The enzyme findings including the reduced ASA values in both parents suggested that our proband was a mixed heterozygote both of MLD and pseudo-ASA-deficiency, but casually suffered from that inflammatory demyelinating process. An additional biochemical finding was the moderate increase of brain sulfatides which can be seen in relation to the mixed heterozygosity for ASA deficiency.

Topics: Brain; Brain Chemistry; Cerebroside-Sulfatase; Child, Preschool; Heterozygote; Humans; Leukocytes; Male; Multiple Sclerosis; Sulfatases; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

This report described a new method for the microanalysis of sphingolipids and its application for the characterization of cerebrosides and sulfatides in multiple sclerosis brain and rat sciatic nerves undergoing Wallerian degeneration. Tissue was extracted with isopropanol/hexane (20:78), and the total lipids obtained were subjected to benzoylation-desulfation. A portion of this was directly analyzed by silica-column high performance liquid chromatography for the determination of nonhydroxycerebroside, hydroxycerebroside, nonhydroxysulfatide, and hydroxysulfatide. Another portion was fractionated by thin-layer chromatography, and the spots corresponding to the sphingolipid derivatives were eluted. The material from each spot was analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography for its homolog composition. With this new procedure the concentrations and homolog compositions of cerebrosides and sulfatides were measured in plaque, periplaque, and normal-appearing white matter from brains of multiple sclerosis patients and Wallerian degenerated rat sciatic nerves distal to the nerve transection. One piece of plaque studied contained only 1.86, 2.76, 0.60, and 0.45 nmol of nonhydroxycerebroside, hydroxycerebroside, nonhydroxysulfatide and hydroxysulfatide/mg of protein, respectively. These concentrations are less than 1% of those found in normal white matter. Periplaques were found to contain concentrations of these sphingolipids between those of plaque and normal white matter. The levels of these sphingolipids in degenerative nerves were 10-20% below normal the third day after the nerve was severed and about 70% below normal after 10 days. The rate of decrease lessened from ten days to 55 days. The homolog compositions of these sphingolipids in both multiple sclerosis brain and degenerating nerves were similar to those in the control. The implications of these findings and the advantages of this new analytical method are discussed.

Topics: Adult; Animals; Brain; Cerebrosides; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Multiple Sclerosis; Nerve Degeneration; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sciatic Nerve; Sulfoglycosphingolipids; Wallerian Degeneration

Topics: Aged; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Cerebrosides; Child, Preschool; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Demyelinating Diseases; Diffuse Cerebral Sclerosis of Schilder; Encephalitis; Galactosidases; Gangliosides; Humans; Infant; Lipidoses; Lipids; Multiple Sclerosis; Sphingomyelins; Sulfatases; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Brain; Brain Chemistry; Cerebrosides; Cholesterol; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Glycerol; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Phospholipids; Sphingolipids; Sphingomyelins; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Adult; Brain; Cerebral Cortex; Cerebrosides; Cholesterol; Esters; Fatty Acids; Female; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Multiple Sclerosis; Phosphatidylcholines; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Sphingomyelins; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Autopsy; Brain Chemistry; Cerebrosides; Cholesterol; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Fatty Acids; Gangliosides; Humans; Lipids; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Sheath; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Phospholipids; Sphingomyelins; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Acute Disease; Animals; Brain; Cerebral Cortex; Cerebrosides; Cholesterol; Chronic Disease; Glucuronidase; Humans; Hydrolases; Lipid Metabolism; Lysosomes; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Sheath; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Peptide Hydrolases; Phosphatidylcholines; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Phospholipids; Rats; Sulfatases; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Ceramides; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Gangliosides; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuraminic Acids; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Brain; Cerebrosides; Cholesterol; Chromatography, Gas; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Fatty Acids; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Multiple Sclerosis; Myelin Sheath; Phosphatidylcholines; Phosphatidylethanolamines; Sphingomyelins; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Animals; Brain; Cerebrosides; Chromatography, Thin Layer; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Fatty Acids; Female; Glycolipids; Guinea Pigs; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Multiple Sclerosis; Oleic Acids; Palmitic Acids; Stearic Acids; Sulfoglycosphingolipids

Topics: Adult; Aged; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Ceramides; Cerebrosides; Cholesterol; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; Humans; Infant; Middle Aged; Multiple Sclerosis; Proteins; Sphingolipids; Sphingomyelins; Stearic Acids; Sulfoglycosphingolipids