Beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory therapy in a mouse model of Niemann-Pick disease type C1.

Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal disorder characterized by sphingolipid and cholesterol storage in the late endocytic system. In common with other neurodegenerative diseases, activation of the innate immune system occurs in the brain resulting in neuro-inflammation. Targeting inflammation in the brain therefore represents a potential clinical intervention strategy that aims to slow the rate of disease progression and improve quality of life. We evaluated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and an anti-oxidant to determine whether these agents are disease modifying in an acute mouse model of NPC1. NSAIDs significantly prolonged the lifespan of NPC1 mice and slowed the onset of clinical signs. However, anti-oxidant therapy was of no significant benefit. Combining NSAID therapy with substrate reduction therapy (SRT) resulted in additive benefit. These data suggest that anti-inflammatory therapy may be a useful adjunctive treatment in the clinical management of NPC1, alone or combined with SRT.