Hepatic and Extrahepatic Sources and Manifestations in Endoplasmic Reticulum Storage Diseases

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and fibrinogen are secretory acute phase reactant proteins. Circulating AAT and fibrinogen are synthesized exclusively in the liver. Mutations in the encoding genes result in conformational abnormalities of the two molecules that aggregate within the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) instead of being regularly exported. That results in AAT-deficiency (AATD) and in hereditary hypofibrinogenemia with hepatic storage (HHHS). The association of plasma deficiency and liver storage identifies a new group of pathologies: endoplasmic reticulum storage disease (ERSD).

Diagnostic value of copper parameters to predict growth of suckling calves grazing native range in Argentina

A study was conducted to evaluate the predictive diagnostic value of different copper (Cu) parameters as indicators of average daily gain (ADG) in growing calves. The effects in calves of cow Cu supplementation in the last one-third gestation period were also evaluated. Five supplementation trials, with a total of 300 calves, were carried out. Two groups of 30 calves were randomly assigned to each trial, one group was parenterally supplemented (SG) and the other was not supplemented (NSG). Trials began when calves were three-month-old and ended at weaning time. At each sampling calves were weighed and blood was taken to determine Cu concentrations in plasma, Whole Blood (WB), Red Cells (RC) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Liver samples from six animals of each group were taken both at the beginning and at the end of the trial. In two trials the mothers of the SG received Cu supplementation at the last one- third gestation period. Four of the five trials exhibited low ADG in the NSGs. In these groups, plasma Cu concentration decreased rapidly before low ADG was detected, which occurred with values remaining below 25µg/dl. The decrease of RC Cu concentration was considerably slow. WB showed an intermediate position. PCV in the SGs was higher than in the NSGs in all trials. Cow supplementation was insufficient to generate a liver storage able to last after calves reached the 3 months of age. These data could be useful to predict the risk of low ADG in grazing calves.

Pathology of Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA in Huntaway Dogs

Dogs with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIA were bred within an experimental colony. As part of characterizing them as a model for testing therapeutic strategies for the analogous disease of children, a pathologic study was undertaken. By histology, there were variably stained storage cytosomes within neurons, including many that stained for gangliosides. On ultrastructure examination, these cytosomes contained either moderately dense granular material, tentatively interpreted as precipitated glycosaminoglycan; a variety of multilaminar bodies, interpreted as being associated with secondary accumulation of gangliosides; or a mixture of both types. In the liver, storage vesicles also contained excess glycogen as a secondary storage product. In various tissues, there were large foamy macrophages. In the brain, many of these were in juxtaposition with neurons, and, on ultrastructure examination, they contained storage cytosomes similar to those in neurons. However, the neuron in association with such a macrophage frequently showed little such material.