Deletion of a single mevalonate kinase (Mvk) allele yields a murine model of hyper-IgD syndrome

J Inherit Metab Dis. 2007 Nov;30(6):888-95. doi: 10.1007/s10545-007-0776-7. Epub 2007 Nov 19.

Abstract

In the current study our objective was to develop a murine model of human hyper-IgD syndrome (HIDS) and severe mevalonic aciduria (MA), autoinflammatory disorders associated with mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD). Deletion of one Mvk allele (Mvk (+/-)) yielded viable mice with significantly reduced liver Mvk enzyme activity; multiple matings failed to produce Mvk (-/-) mice. Cholesterol levels in tissues and blood, and isoprene end-products (ubiquinone, dolichol) in tissues were normal in Mvk (+/-) mice; conversely, mevalonate concentrations were increased in spleen, heart, and kidney yet normal in brain and liver. While the trend was for higher IgA levels in Mvk (+/-) sera, IgD levels were significantly increased (9-12-fold) in comparison to Mvk (+/+) littermates, in both young (<15 weeks) and older (>15 weeks) mice. Mvk (+/-) animals manifested increased serum TNF-alpha as compared to wild-type littermates, but due to wide variation in levels between individual Mvk (+/-) mice the difference in means was not statistically significant. Mvk (+/-) mice represent the first animal model of HIDS, and should prove useful for examining pathophysiology associated with this disorder.

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dolichols / chemistry
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Gene Frequency
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin D / chemistry
  • Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency / genetics*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Biological
  • Models, Genetic
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / genetics*
  • Ubiquinone / chemistry

Substances

  • Dolichols
  • Immunoglobulin D
  • Ubiquinone
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • mevalonate kinase