Defective Slc7a7 transport reduces systemic arginine availability compromising erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis

Slc7a7 encodes for y+LAT1, a transporter of cationic amino acid across the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells. Mutations in SLC7A7 gene give rise to Lysinuric Protein Intolerance (LPI), a rare autosomal recessive disease with wide variability of complications. Intriguingly, y+LAT1 is also involved in arginine transport in non polarized cells such as macrophages. Here we report that complete inducible Slc7a7 ablation in mouse compromises systemic arginine availability that alters proper erythropoiesis and that dysfunctional RBC generation leads to increased erythrophagocytosis, iron overload and an altered iron metabolism by macrophages. Herein, uncovering a novel mechanism that links amino acid metabolism to erythropoiesis and iron metabolism. Mechanistically, the iron exporter ferroportin-1 expression was compromised by increased plasma hepcidin causing macrophage iron accumulation. Strikingly, lysozyme M-cell-specific knockout mice failed to reproduce the total knockout alterations, while bone marrow transplantation experiments resulted in the resolution of macrophage iron overload but could not overcome erythropoietic defect. This study establishes a new crucial link between systemic arginine availability in erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis.

Immune Dysregulation Mimicking Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in a Patient With Lysinuric Protein Intolerance: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by defective transport of cationic amino acids in epithelial cells of intestines, kidneys and other tissues as well as non-epithelial cells including macrophages. LPI is caused by biallelic, pathogenic variants in SLC7A7. The clinical phenotype of LPI includes failure to thrive and multi-system disease including hematologic, neurologic, pulmonary and renal manifestations. Individual presentations are extremely variable, often leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Here we describe a patient that clinically presented with immune dysregulation in the setting of early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), including renal involvement, in whom an LPI diagnosis was suspected post-mortem based on exome sequencing analysis. A review of the literature was performed to provide an overview of the clinical spectrum and immune mechanisms involved in this disease. The precise mechanism by which ineffective amino acid transport triggers systemic inflammatory features is not yet understood. However, LPI should be considered in the differential diagnosis of early-onset SLE, particularly in the absence of response to immunosuppressive therapy.

The utility of reverse phenotyping: a case of lysinuric protein intolerance presented with childhood osteoporosis

Objectives Childhood osteoporosis is often a consequence of a chronic disease or its treatment. Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI), a rare secondary cause of the osteoporosis, is an autosomal recessive disorder with clinical features ranging from minimal protein intolerance to severe multisystemic involvement. We report a case diagnosed to have LPI using a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) panel and evaluate the utility of reverse phenotyping. Case presentation A fifteen-year-old-boy with an initial diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta, was referred due to a number of atypical findings accompanying to osteoporosis such as splenomegaly and bicytopenia. A NGS panel (TruSight One Sequencing Panel) was performed and a novel homozygous mutation of c.257G>A (p.Gly86Glu) in the SLC7A7 gene (NM_001126106.2), responsible for LPI, was detected. The diagnosis was confirmed via reverse phenotyping. Conclusions Reverse phenotyping using a multigene panel shortens the diagnostic process.

Lysinuric protein intolerance: an overlooked diagnosis

Background Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is an autosomal recessively inherited inborn error of metabolism (IEM) caused by the defect in the dibasic cationic amino acid transporter found on the basolateral membrane of the lung, small intestine, and kidney due to mutations in the SLC7A7 gene, which encodes the y+LAT1 protein. LPI may present as an acute hyperammonemic episode or as chronic symptoms. Major clinical symptoms are feeding problems, vomiting and diarrhea, failure to thrive, hepatosplenomegaly, and cytopenia. We present a delayed diagnosis of symptomatic LPI with a homozygous mutation in the SLC7A7 gene. Case presentation A 15-year-old girl was referred to our clinic due to growth retardation and diarrhea. Physical examination showed short stature, retarded puberty, and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory tests showed normal complete blood count and biochemical analyses except elevated aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and ferritin. Peripheral blood smear and hemoglobin electrophoresis were within normal limits. Bone marrow analysis showed hemophagocytic cells. Postprandial ammonium level was found elevated. Low lysine, arginine, and ornithine and elevated glycine and alanine in plasma amino acid analysis and high amount of lysine and slightly elevated arginine and ornithine excretion in urine were detected. Molecular genetic analysis of the SLC7A7 gene showed a previously reported homozygous mutation. Low protein diet, sodium benzoate, l-carnitine, low-dose l-citrulline, and calcium replacement were initiated. The patient is now in good condition still being followed up in our department. Conclusions LPI is a metabolic disorder with multi-systemic involvement that may have severe consequences if left untreated. Initiation of early treatment is essential for the prevention of severe chronic complications. Also, confirmation of the genetic defect may provide the parents to have healthy offsprings in the future with the help of genetic counselling and preimplantation genetics.

A global Slc7a7 knockout mouse model demonstrates characteristic phenotypes of human lysinuric protein intolerance

Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is an inborn error of cationic amino acid (arginine, lysine, ornithine) transport caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in SLC7A7, which encodes the light subunit of the y+LAT1 transporter. Treatments for the complications of LPI, including growth failure, renal disease, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, autoimmune disorders and osteoporosis, are limited. Given the early lethality of the only published global Slc7a7 knockout mouse model, a viable animal model to investigate global SLC7A7 deficiency is needed. Hence, we generated two mouse models with global Slc7a7 deficiency (Slc7a7em1Lbu/em1Lbu; Slc7a7Lbu/Lbu and Slc7a7em1(IMPC)Bay/em1(IMPC)Bay; Slc7a7Bay/Bay) using CRISPR/Cas9 technology by introducing a deletion of exons 3 and 4. Perinatal lethality was observed in Slc7a7Lbu/Lbu and Slc7a7Bay/Bay mice on the C57BL/6 and C57BL/6NJ inbred genetic backgrounds, respectively. We noted improved survival of Slc7a7Lbu/Lbu mice on the 129 Sv/Ev × C57BL/6 F2 background, but postnatal growth failure occurred. Consistent with human LPI, these Slc7a7Lbu/Lbu mice exhibited reduced plasma and increased urinary concentrations of the cationic amino acids. Histopathological assessment revealed loss of brush border and lipid vacuolation in the renal cortex of Slc7a7Lbu/Lbu mice, which combined with aminoaciduria suggests proximal tubular dysfunction. Micro-computed tomography of L4 vertebrae and skeletal radiographs showed delayed skeletal development and suggested decreased mineralization in Slc7a7Lbu/Lbu mice, respectively. In addition to delayed skeletal development and delayed development in the kidneys, the lungs and liver were observed based on histopathological assessment. Overall, our Slc7a7Lbu/Lbu mouse model on the F2 mixed background recapitulates multiple human LPI phenotypes and may be useful for future studies of LPI pathology.

Genetic aspects of the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus in children

The paper presents data on the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and depicts various molecular mechanisms for the development of SLE and lupus-like syndromes. It describes groups of diseases, such as apoptotic defects; NETosis; interferonopathies; complement deficiency; autotolerance disorders associated with mutations in the RAG1/RAG2 genes; hereditary metabolic diseases (prolidase deficiency, deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2; lysinuric protein intolerance; and α-mannosidase deficiency). The table summarizes clinical data on most of the known lupus-like syndromes and their molecular mechanisms.The pathogenesis of many forms of monogenic lupus-like diseases is being studied. The main sign suggesting in favor of the possible monogenic disease in a patient with SLE is its onset in infancy, especially in males. Attention should be also paid to a compromised family history, including to the marriage between close relatives, the resistance of disease to standard therapy, as well as atypical symptoms.