Reversible Mitochondrial Iron Toxicity in Wolfram Syndrome Type 2 Monogenic Diabetes

Wolfram syndrome type 2 (WS2) is a rare monogenic diabetes syndrome caused by CISD2 mutations. Its cellular pathophysiology remains poorly understood, and no targeted therapies exist.

To characterize the clinical phenotype and cellular pathophysiology of the largest WS2 cohort to date, and to evaluate a novel, mechanistically targeted pharmacological intervention.

Observational cohort study paired with ex vivo functional cellular assays and a proof-of-concept pilot clinical intervention.

Multicenter academic and clinical institutions in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Twenty-two patients from 11 unrelated Palestinian families presenting with atypical juvenile-onset diabetes and gastrointestinal bleeding. Patient-derived fibroblasts (n = 4) were utilized for functional assays.

Fibroblasts and two patients were treated with a combination of the iron chelator deferiprone (DFP) and the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Clinical phenotype, CISD2 genetic analysis, mitochondrial labile iron (mLI) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, organelle morphology, and preliminary clinical response (HbA1c, platelet aggregation).

Patients were homozygous for a CISD2 c.109G > C founder mutation (carrier rate 1:40). The clinical phenotype was expanded to include prevalent psychiatric morbidity and congenital heart defects. Patient fibroblasts exhibited profound mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum damage, with increased mLI (+25%, p < 0.0001) and mROS (+28%, p < 0.0001). In vitro DFP/NAC treatment fully reversed these cellular anomalies. In a preliminary pilot study, two patients receiving DFP/NAC demonstrated improved reported glycemic control and corrected platelet aggregation.

WS2 is an underdiagnosed monogenic diabetes driven by mitochondrial iron dysregulation and oxidative stress. Repurposing DFP/NAC reverses this toxicity, offering a strong mechanistic rationale for future clinical trials.