Correction of lysosomal enzyme deficiency in various organs of beta-glucuronidase-deficient mice by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

The correction of lysosomal enzyme deficiency was investigated for various organs of beta-glucuronidase-deficient C3H/Rij mice after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an enzymatically normal donor strain (C57BL/Rij). In the hemopoietic organs, the enzyme level increased to levels found in donor mice. In lung, kidney, liver, and peripheral nervous tissue, a significant increase in enzyme activity was seen to levels intermediate between those of donor and recipient. Increased enzyme activity was maintained throughout the observation period of 150 days. In skeletal muscle tissue, enzyme levels tended to be higher in recipient mice, but this increase was not significant for all data points. Bone marrow transplantation failed to significantly affect enzyme activity in central nervous system tissue. These data suggest that beneficial effects expected from bone marrow transplantation for lysosomal enzyme deficiencies depend on the type of tissue involved in the disease. In diseases severely affecting the central nervous system, cure may not be expected from bone marrow transplantation alone, whereas in diseases with only minimal central nervous system involvement, alleviation or prevention of clinical symptoms may occur.