Impaired metabolic function and signaling defects in phagocytic cells in glycogen storage disease type 1b

Patients with glycogen storage disease (GSD) type 1b (1b), in contrast to patients with GSD type 1a (1a), are susceptible to recurrent bacterial infections suggesting an impairment in their immune system. In this study, phagocytic cell (neutrophil and monocyte) respiratory burst activity, as measured by superoxide anion generation, oxygen consumption, and hexose monophosphate shunt activity, was markedly reduced in both neutrophils and monocytes from GSD 1b patients as compared with either GSD 1a patients or healthy adult control cells. Degranulation, unlike respiratory burst activity, was not significantly different in neutrophils from GSD 1b patients as compared with controls. Both neutrophils and monocytes from GSD 1b patients showed decreased ability to elevate cytosolic calcium in response to the chemotactic peptide f-Met-Leu-Phe. In addition, calcium mobilization in response to ionomycin was also attenuated suggesting decreased calcium stores. Thus, reduced phagocytic cell function in GSD 1b is associated with diminished calcium mobilization and defective calcium stores. Defective calcium signaling is associated with a selective defect in respiratory burst activity but not degranulation.