title: Prenatal diagnosis of Wolman disease.
abstract: Two pregnancies at risk for Wolman disease were monitored by assay and electrophoresis of acid lipase in cultured amniotic-fluid cells. Cells from patient 1 had 5% of control levels of acid lipase, using 14C-triolein as substrate; however, when artificial substrates (esters of 4-methylumbelliferone and p-nitrophenol) were used to measure acid lipase, these cells had 30% of control levels. Electrophoresis of cell extracts revealed the absence of the A form of acid lipase, consistent with the diagnosis of Wolman disease. Analysis of fetal tissues following prostaglandin termination of this pregnancy confirmed the diagnosis. Assay of fetal-skin fibroblasts with 14C-triolein, as well as with artificial substrates, showed marked deficiency of acid lipase activity. Electrophoresis of fetal-tissue extracts also demonstrated the absence of the A form of acid lipase. Amniotic-fluid cells from patient 2 showed normal levels of acid lipase with all substrates tested; the electrophoretic pattern of acid lipase was normal. The results suggest that the prenatal diagnosis of Wolman disease be made using the radioassay of acid lipase and/or electrophoresis.
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D008052:Lipid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008099:Liver / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D013154:Spleen / Q000196:embryology / Q000201:enzymology; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008049:Lipase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase