Next Generation Treatment for Krabbe Disease

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Krabbe disease (Globoid-cell leukodystrophy, GLD) is an inherited childhood disease caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme, galactosyl-ceramidase (GALC). In the absence of GALC activity a highly cytotoxic lipid, galactosyl-sphingosine (psychosine, Psy) accumulates and preferentially causes the death of oligodendrocytes. Krabbe disease affects the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems (PNS) leading to irritability, sensory deterioration, motor defects, seizures, and cognitive deficits beginning at 6 months of age and death occurs by 2-5 years of age. There is currently no effective therapy for Krabbe disease. In addition, all the evidence from years of research in authentic animal models of Krabbe disease shows that no single treatment provides meaningful long-term benefits. However, we recently showed that a combination therapy approach that simultaneously targets the primary pathogenic mechanism (GALC deficiency) and secondary consequences of GALC deficiency (psychosine accumulation, inflammation, etc) dramatically and synergistically increases efficacy. Although Krabbe disease was described over 100 years ago and the murine model has been available for nearly 40 years, we know surprisingly little about the pathogenesis of the disease. This is largely to the confounding effects of cross-correction. We have created a chimeric form of GALC that retains enzyme activity, prevents the accumulation of psychosine and is incapable of cross- correcting surrounding cells. This novel reagent will now enable us to determine both the contribution of cross- correction to various therapeutic strategies and the role of specific cell types in the pathogenesis of Krabbe disease. The goals of this proposal are to 1) determine the efficacy of newly developed substrate reduction therapy drugs alone and in combination, 2) determine the mechanism/s by which certain therapies interact to synergistically increase efficacy, 3) determine the role of specific cell types in the pathogenesis of Krabbe disease, and 4) determine the mechanism/s by which psychosine is generated and potentially uncover a new substrate reduction target. We will accomplish these goals with the following Specific Aims: Aim 1: We will determine the therapeutic efficacy of a CGT-specific SRT drug, BMNS202, alone and in combination with HSCT and AAV-mediated gene therapy. Aim 2: We will determine the role of HSCT in the synergy observed when combined with CNS-directed AAV- mediated gene therapy in the murine model of Krabbe disease. Aim 3: We will determine the role of specific cell types in the pathogenesis of Krabbe disease. Aim 4: We will determine the role of acid ceramidase in the catabolic production of psychosine and the pathogenesis of Krabbe disease.