Heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice

Abstract Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB) is a metabolic neurodegenerative disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU), which is involved in the degradation of heparan sulfate (HS). Affected patients exhibit progressive neurodegeneration, behavioral...

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Main Authors: Serenella Anzilotti, Melania Scarcella, Mariangela Ciampa, Noemi Di Muraglia, Camilla Anastasio, Chiara Fiorentino, Federica Rossin, Luigi Avallone, Giuseppe Pignataro, Luigi Michele Pavone, Valeria De Pasquale
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-08-01
Series:Cell Death Discovery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02648-w
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author Serenella Anzilotti
Melania Scarcella
Mariangela Ciampa
Noemi Di Muraglia
Camilla Anastasio
Chiara Fiorentino
Federica Rossin
Luigi Avallone
Giuseppe Pignataro
Luigi Michele Pavone
Valeria De Pasquale
author_facet Serenella Anzilotti
Melania Scarcella
Mariangela Ciampa
Noemi Di Muraglia
Camilla Anastasio
Chiara Fiorentino
Federica Rossin
Luigi Avallone
Giuseppe Pignataro
Luigi Michele Pavone
Valeria De Pasquale
author_sort Serenella Anzilotti
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB) is a metabolic neurodegenerative disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU), which is involved in the degradation of heparan sulfate (HS). Affected patients exhibit progressive neurodegeneration, behavioral disturbances, and a shortened lifespan. Currently, there is no effective treatment for MPS IIIB. We have recently developed a new therapeutic strategy based on the use of the HS-binding protein NK1, a spliced variant of hepatocyte growth factor. Here, we demonstrate that treating Naglu −/− mice with recombinant NK1 ameliorates neuropathology by reducing HS storage, lysosomal dysfunction, autophagy imbalance, and neuroinflammation in the cortex and hippocampus of MPS IIIB mouse brains. Furthermore, we found that recombinant NK1 treatment improves cognitive behavior and motor activity in Naglu −/− mice, as assessed using open field, object recognition, and T-maze tests. Our findings suggest that recombinant NK1 is a promising candidate for the treatment of MPS IIIB and other lysosomal storage diseases associated with central nervous system dysfunction.
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spelling doaj-art-9eeb01cec1b84d7894bcfdebf26717602025-08-20T03:45:45ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death Discovery2058-77162025-08-0111111010.1038/s41420-025-02648-wHeparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB miceSerenella Anzilotti0Melania Scarcella1Mariangela Ciampa2Noemi Di Muraglia3Camilla Anastasio4Chiara Fiorentino5Federica Rossin6Luigi Avallone7Giuseppe Pignataro8Luigi Michele Pavone9Valeria De Pasquale10Department of Human Sciences and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele UniversityDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Naples Federico IIDivision of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, Medical School, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania Luigi VanvitelliDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico IIDivision of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Dentistry Sciences, Medical School, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Naples Federico IIDepartment of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico IIAbstract Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB (MPS IIIB) is a metabolic neurodegenerative disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAGLU), which is involved in the degradation of heparan sulfate (HS). Affected patients exhibit progressive neurodegeneration, behavioral disturbances, and a shortened lifespan. Currently, there is no effective treatment for MPS IIIB. We have recently developed a new therapeutic strategy based on the use of the HS-binding protein NK1, a spliced variant of hepatocyte growth factor. Here, we demonstrate that treating Naglu −/− mice with recombinant NK1 ameliorates neuropathology by reducing HS storage, lysosomal dysfunction, autophagy imbalance, and neuroinflammation in the cortex and hippocampus of MPS IIIB mouse brains. Furthermore, we found that recombinant NK1 treatment improves cognitive behavior and motor activity in Naglu −/− mice, as assessed using open field, object recognition, and T-maze tests. Our findings suggest that recombinant NK1 is a promising candidate for the treatment of MPS IIIB and other lysosomal storage diseases associated with central nervous system dysfunction.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02648-w
spellingShingle Serenella Anzilotti
Melania Scarcella
Mariangela Ciampa
Noemi Di Muraglia
Camilla Anastasio
Chiara Fiorentino
Federica Rossin
Luigi Avallone
Giuseppe Pignataro
Luigi Michele Pavone
Valeria De Pasquale
Heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice
Cell Death Discovery
title Heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice
title_full Heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice
title_fullStr Heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice
title_full_unstemmed Heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice
title_short Heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB mice
title_sort heparan sulfate binding protein treatment ameliorates neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities in mucopolysaccharidosis iiib mice
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02648-w
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