Quantitative estimation of lysosomal storage in mucopolysaccharidoses by electron microscopy analysis

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are severe inherited metabolic disorders caused by storage of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). The level of accumulated GAGs is an important parameter in assessment of the severity of the disease and the efficacy of treatment; unfortunately, biochemical methods are often unreliable and only semi-quantitative. Therefore, finding other methods for estimation of GAG levels and/or assessment of the efficacy of applied therapy is very important. Although monitoring of GAG levels during therapy is crucial, in this work it is proposed that analysis of the ultrastructure of MPS cells by electron microscopic techniques can be considered as an alternative and reliable method for assessment of lysosomal storage. The number of complex lysosomal structures was found to be significantly higher in MPS cells relative to controls, while it decreased significantly in response to either enzyme replacement therapy or substrate reduction therapy. Thus, this parameter, easily assessed by electron microscopy, appears to correspond to the physiological state of MPS cells.