Biologic, morphologic, and biochemical investigations performed in 2 patients demonstrate multiple peroxisomal deficiencies in the cerebrohepatorenal syndrome ofZell-weger (CHRS) and neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD). Very long chain fatty acids, abnormal bile acids, including bile acid precursors (di- and trihydroxycoprostanoic acids), and C29-dicarboxylic acid accumulated in plasma in both patients. Generalized hyperaminoaciduria was also present. Peroxisomes could not be detected in CHRS liver and kidney; however, in the NALD patient, small and sparse cytoplasmic bodies resembling altered peroxisomes were found in hepatocytes. Hepatocellular and Kupffer cell lysosomes were engorged with ferritin

The appearance of lanthanum in liver cells as a result of the injection of lanthanum chloride into rats is investigated by advanced transmission electron microscopy techniques, including electron energy loss spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. It is demonstrated that the lysosomes contain large amounts of lanthanum appearing in a granular form with particle dimensions between 5 and 25 nm, whereas no lanthanum could be detected in other surrounding cellular components.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a demyelinating disease due to mutations in the ABCD1 (ALD) gene, encoding a peroxisomal ATP-binding cassette transporter (ALDP). Overexpression of adrenoleukodystrophy-related protein, an ALDP homologue encoded by the AB CD2 (adrenoleukodystrophy-related) gene, can compensate for ALDP deficiency. 4-Phenyl-butyrate (PBA) has been shown to induce both ABCD2 expression and peroxisome proliferation in human fibroblasts. We show that peroxisome proliferation with unusual shapes and clusters occurred in liver of PBA-treated rodents in a PPAR alpha-independent way. PBA activated Abcd2 in cultured glial cells, making PBA a candidate drug for therapy of X-ALD. The Abcd2 induction observed was partially PPAR alpha independent in hepatocytes and totally independent in fibroblasts. We demonstrate that a GC box and a CCAAT box of the Abcd2 promoter are the key elements of the PBA-dependent Abcd2 induction, histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1 being recruited by the GC box. Thus, PBA is a nonclassical peroxisome proliferator inducing pleiotropic effects, including effects at the peroxisomal level mainly through HDAC inhibition.

Sensorineural deafness and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are the hallmarks of Usher syndrome (USH) but are also prominent features in peroxisomal biogenesis defects (PBDs); both are autosomal recessively inherited. The firstborn son of unrelated parents, who both had sensorineural deafness and RP diagnosed as USH, presented with sensorineural deafness, RP, dysmorphism, developmental delay, hepatomegaly, and hypsarrhythmia and died at age 17 mo. The infant was shown to have a PBD, on the basis of elevated plasma levels of very-long- and branched-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs and BCFAs), deficiency of multiple peroxisomal functions in fibroblasts, and complete absence of peroxisomes in fibroblasts and liver. Surprisingly, both parents had elevated plasma levels of VLCFAs and BCFAs. Fibroblast studies confirmed that both parents had a PBD. The parents' milder phenotypes correlated with relatively mild peroxisomal biochemical dysfunction and with catalase immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrating mosaicism and temperature sensitivity in fibroblasts. The infant and both of his parents belonged to complementation group C. PEX6 gene sequencing revealed mutations on both alleles, in the infant and in his parents. This unique family is the first report of a PBD with which the parents are themselves affected individuals rather than asymptomatic carriers. Because of considerable overlap between USH and milder PBD phenotypes, individuals suspected to have USH should be screened for peroxisomal dysfunction.

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous organelles required for several metabolic functions. Their dysfunction is responsible for a group of human inherited disorders. In the search for endogenous factors regulating the peroxisomal compartment in normal liver, we treated female rats with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol for 1 and 6 days. Relative transcription levels of 39 selected genes were evaluated by real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Catalase (peroxisomal marker)-specific activity was assayed in total liver homogenate and peroxisomes were visualized by catalase localization. DHEA induced peroxisome proliferation and raised catalase specific activity. Expression levels of 16 (of which 11 were peroxisomal) genes were altered. Pex 11, acyl-CoA oxidase, L- and D-multifunctional enzyme, thiolase 1, phytanoyl-CoA hydroxylase, 70 kDa peroxisomal membrane protein and very long chain acyl-CoA synthetase were upregulated, three others were downregulated. Vitamin D caused downregulation of six genes. Administration of vitamin D to peroxisomal disorder patients may be contraindicated. The adrenocortical hormone DHEA is a potential natural regulator of the peroxisomal compartment. Its therapeutic use in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, some other beta-oxidation defects and classical Refsum should be considered.

Dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria appear to be key events during apoptosis. The precise relationship (cause or consequence) between both is currently unclear. We previously showed in a model of serum-free cultured granulosa explants that cytochrome c is retained in a subset of respiring mitochondria until late in the apoptotic process. In this study we further investigated the issue of heterogeneity by using the Δψm-sensitive probe CM-H2TMRos in combination with a DNA fluorochrome. Changes of Δψm were assessed qualitatively by epifluorescence microscopy and were quantified using digital imaging microscopy. This approach yielded the following results: (a) CM-H2TMRos staining is a reliable and specific procedure to detect Δψm changes in granulosa cells explants; (b) dissipation of transmembrane potential is an early event during apoptosis preceding nuclear changes but is confined to a subpopulation of mitochondria within an individual cell; (c) in frankly apoptotic cells a few polarized mitochondria can be detected. These findings support the hypothesis that ATP needed for completion of the apoptotic cascade can be generated during apoptosis in a subset of respiring mitochondria and is not necessarily derived from anaerobic glycolysis.

L-Proline supplementation of the medium for collagen gel cultures of hepatocytes has been shown to improve albumin secretion. A study was made as to whether L-proline is also essential for the maintenance of xenobiotic biotransformation capacities in collagen gel sandwich and immobilisation cultures of rat and human hepatocytes. Key phase I (cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase [CYP)] and microsomal epoxide hydrase [mEH]) and phase II (glutathione S-transferase [GST]) biotransformation enzyme activities and the secretion of albumin in the culture medium were assessed in the absence and presence of L-proline. CYP and mEH activities were not affected by the addition of L-proline, whereas phase II alpha-Class GST activity of rat hepatocytes in collagen cultures was decreased. Species differences were demonstrated, as human hepatocytes showed a better maintenance of GST activities than their rat counterparts in the presence of L-proline. Albumin secretion, often considered to be a marker for differentiated cell function, does not parallel the biotransformation capacities of the hepatocytes in culture. Additional results demonstrated an L-proline-mediated enhancement of the proliferation rate of contaminating stellate cells in conventional monolayer culture. Transdifferentiation of stellate cells to proliferating myofibroblasts, along with an increased albumin secretion and collagen synthesis, are characteristic of fibrotic liver. Since the last two phenomena have been observed in L-proline-supplemented collagen gel cultures, it can be concluded that when stable collagen gel cultures of rat hepatocytes are needed for long-term pharmacotoxicological studies, it is preferable to use an L-proline-free culture medium. Further studies on medium optimisation are required for hepatocytes from species other than rat.

Release of apoptogenic factors into the cytosol including cytochrome c is triggering the execution phase of apoptosis through activation of cytoplasmic effector caspases, How loss of function of the electron transport chain can be reconciled with an adequate energy supply necessary for executing the apoptotic program was studied in granulosa cell (GC) sheets cultured up to 72 h without gonadotrophic support. Cytochrome c was localized ultrastructurally by oxidation of diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride both in living and fixed cells. In uncultured GC sheets all cells show staining over their entire mitochondrial population. In 72 h cultured sheets in the absence of FSH pre-apoptotic GC's display two subsets of mitochondria: normal sized stained mitochondria and small orthodox mitochondria without demonstrable cytochrome function. Apoptotic cells contain several mitochondria with preservation of respiratory function besides unstained orthodox mitochondria, The cytochrome c containing mitochondria typically display dilated intracristal spaces, a mitochondrial conformation related to increased ATP production. Cytochrome c release was confirmed by Western blotting. In 72 h cultures supplemented with FSH, GC's displayed staining over their entire mitochondrial population. In cultures lacking FSH, but partially protected from apoptosis through caspase inhibition,the cytochrome c release was not inhibited. Thus in the present studied model dysfunction of only a subset of mitochondria is instrumental to initiate the apoptotic program while a functional electron transport chain is maintained until the degradation phase in a subset of respiring mitochondria.

Hyperpipecolic acidaemia is still regarded as a peroxisomal assembly deficiency. The enzyme responsible for the accumulation of pipecolic acid is located in the peroxisomes in man. We studied the appearance and alterations of peroxisomes in liver biopsy material from three unrelated children suffering from isolated hyperpipecolic acidaemia, in which only the metabolism of pipecolic acid is disturbed, using light and electron microscopy after cytochemical staining for visualisation of peroxisomes. Morphometric results showed the presence of normal-sized to small peroxisomes, an increase in number and abnormally shaped organelles, suggesting enhancement of metabolic efficiency. In one case enlarged organelles were observed. Skin fibroblasts were studied in all patients: their peroxisomes appeared to be normal. The obvious presence of peroxisomes in isolated HPA indicates that this disorder should be classified as a single peroxisomal enzyme deficiency.

Studying the regulation of peroxisome (Px) expression could improve our understanding of human peroxisomal disorders. The granulosa of the largest preovulatory quail follicles proved to be a relevant model because (a) Px expression changes according to the follicular maturation stage and (b) Px expression varies regionally according to the distance of the granulosa relative to the germinal disc region containing the female gamete (oocyte). The question was asked whether Px expression is related to the extent of metabolic cell coupling and whether zonal Px variation is causally related to oocytal factors. This was evaluated by the presence of catalase and Cx-43 (marker proteins for peroxisomes and gap junctions, respectively) and by in vitro experiments with granulosa explants. The data obtained show that the expression of Cx-43 and Px is inversely correlated both temporally and spatially. Uncoupling of gap junctions results in an upregulation of alpha-catalase immunofluorescence. This is in agreement with reports that gap junctions are often negatively affected by Px proliferators. The zonal gradient in Px expression appears to be imposed by the oocyte, as is the case for steroidogenesis and proliferative capacity in the granulosa epithelium. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:167-177, 2000)

We describe an 18-year-old patient with psychomotor retardation and abnormally short metatarsi and metacarpals but no other signs of classic Refsum disease. Molecular analysis of the phytanoyl-coenzyme A hydroxylase gene revealed a homozygous deletion causing a frameshift. Surprisingly, L-pipecolic acid was elevated in plasma, and microscopy of the liver showed a reduced number of peroxisomes per cell and a larger average peroxisome size. These abnormal peroxisomes lacked catalase as did peroxisomes in fibroblasts of this patient. Such generalized peroxisomal abnormalities are not present in classic Refsum disease.

Background/Aims: Peroxisomes in wild-type cells vary between tissues and developmental stages. In the liver of some peroxisomal deficiency disorder patients, rare parenchymal cells express normal peroxisomes (mosaics); the mechanism is unknown. Our aim was to find factors regulating peroxisome expression,Methods: Liver-specific as well as peroxisome characteristics were studied in three types of primary rat hepatocyte cultures,Results: Total glutathione e-transferase activity and albumin secretion both increased in the collagen I sandwich and immobilization gel cultures, In contrast, in monolayers cultured on plastic, total glutathione S-transferase activity decreased and albumin secretion was only 30-40% compared to the collagen cultures, Glycogen rosettes typical of liver parenchymal cells were always abundant. Laminin and collagen IV-producing stellate cells were numerous in the monolayer but almost absent in the sandwich cultures, In 6-day-monolayer cultures, the number of liver-specific peroxisomes had decreased while atypical small or elongated peroxisomes appeared. Immunolabeling density for catalase and three beta-oxidation enzymes was decreased compared to adult rat liver; catalase specific activity in homogenates had dropped to 15% and 4% in the sandwich and monolayer cultures, respectively. In 17-day-sandwich cultures, some peroxisomes showed a very weak catalase reaction; total activity was 5%, Supplementation of the collagen type I cultures with several extracellular matrix factors could not prevent peroxisome dedifferentiation,Conclusion: The presence of these extracellular matrix components is not sufficient for normal peroxisome expression. It is suggested that hepatocyte-specific and peroxisomal features are regulated differently. The sandwich preserves hepatocyte differentiation better than the monolayer.