Evidence of lysosomal membrane permeabilization in mucopolysaccharidosis type I: Rupture of calcium and proton homeostasis

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is caused by a deficiency of α‐iduronidase (IDUA), which leads to intralysosomal accumulation of glysosaminoglycans. Patients with MPS I present a wide range of clinical manifestations, but the mechanisms by which these alterations occur are still not fully understood. Genotype–phenotype correlations have not been well established for MPS I; hence, it is likely that secondary and tertiary alterations in cellular metabolism and signaling may contribute to the physiopathology of the disease. The aim of this study was to analyze Ca²⁺ and H⁺ homeostasis, lysosomal leakage of cysteine proteases, and apoptosis in a murine model of MPS I. After exposition to specific drugs, cells from Idua?/? mice were shown to release more Ca²⁺ from the lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum than Idua+/+ control mice, suggesting a higher intraorganelle store of this ion. A lower content of H⁺ in the lysosomes and in the cytosol was found in cells from Idua?/? mice, suggesting an alteration of pH homeostasis. In addition, Idua?/? cells presented a higher activity of cysteine proteases in the cytosol and an increased rate of apoptotic cells when compared to the control group, indicating that lysosomal membrane permeabilization might occur in this model. Altogether, our results suggest that secondary alterations—as changes in Ca²⁺ and H⁺ homeostasis and lysosomal membrane permeabilization—may contribute for cellular damage and death in the physiopathology of MPS I. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 335–342, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.