Mass spectrometry imaging reveals ganglioside and ceramide localization patterns during cerebellar degeneration in the Npc1 −/− mouse model

Fernando Tobias, Koralege C. Pathmasiri, Stephanie M. Cologna*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is a powerful tool to perform untargeted mapping of biomolecules in situ. In the current study, we performed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to evaluate lipid changes during disease progression (asymptomatic to symptomatic time points) in Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1), a cerebellar neurodegenerative, lipid storage disorder. Our data show that gangliosides GM2 and GM3 are elevated in NPC1 disease and localize in the posterior lobules of the cerebellum, which is enhanced over a time-course analysis of the disease. Further analysis of sphingolipids in negative ion mode indicated reduction of sulfatides in white matter of the cerebellum and patterned distribution and co-localization of ceramide species Cer(d36:1), HexCer(d36:1), and the ganglioside GM1(d36:1) during disease progression. Finally, a putative lipid of unknown structure demonstrated similar patterning during NPC1 cerebellar degeneration. These studies provide insight into lipid markers of neurodegeneration in NPC1 and link lipid alterations to altered pathways that lead to cell death.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)5659-5668
Number of pages10
JournalAnalytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
Volume411
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2019

Funding

Acknowledgments The authors would like to acknowledge the support from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Chemistry and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation.

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Ceramide
  • Cholesterol
  • Ganglioside
  • MALDI mass spectrometry imaging
  • Niemann-pick disease type C

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biochemistry

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