Alterations in secondary lipids are associated with neuroinflammation in the brain of Neu1-deficient mice

Neu1 (lysosomal sialidase 1) is essential for removing sialic acid from oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. Neu1 deficiency impairs lysosomal digestion, leading to sialidosis and sialoglycoprotein accumulation. It also increases lipids, including gangliosides GM3, GD3, GM4, and LM1, in the kidney, liver, and spleen. Neu1-/- mice display symptoms resembling Type II sialidosis, including enlarged spleen and liver, kidney issues, neurological problems, spinal defects, and oligosaccharide buildup. The study examined secondary lipid alterations and inflammation in the cortex and cerebellum of these mice. Lipidomic, molecular, and immunohistochemical analyses of tissues from 2 and 5 M Neu1-/- mice revealed reduced levels of lipids, including PC, PE, PS, and CL, along with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and loss of oligodendrocytes and neurons. Signs of astrogliosis and microgliosis emerged in specific brain regions. These results indicate that reduced levels of glycerophospholipids could serve as an indicator of inflammation in sialidosis mice. Future research should investigate therapies targeting these lipid changes, as modulating glycerophospholipids might slow disease progression in sialidosis patients.