GSE212256
Multidimensional analysis and therapeutic development using patient iPSC-derived disease models of Wolfram syndrome
Wolfram syndrome is a rare genetic disorder largely caused by pathogenic variants in the WFS1 gene and manifested by diabetes mellitus, optic nerve atrophy, and progressive neurodegeneration. Recent genetic and clinical findings have revealed Wolfram syndrome as a spectrum disorder. Therefore, a genotype-phenotype correlation analysis is needed for diagnosis and therapeutic development. Here, we focus on the WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant which is highly prevalent in the Ashkenazi-Jewish population. Clinical investigation indicates that subjects carrying the homozygous WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant show mild forms of Wolfram syndrome phenotypes. Expression of WFS1 p.R558C is more stable compared to the other known recessive pathogenic variants associated with Wolfram syndrome. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived islets (SC-islets) homozygous for WFS1 c.1672C>T variant recapitulate genotype-related Wolfram syndrome phenotypes. Enhancing residual WFS1 function by a combination treatment of chemical chaperones mitigates detrimental effects caused by the WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant and increases insulin secretion in SC-islets. Thus, the WFS1 c.1672C>T, p.R558C variant causes a mild form of Wolfram syndrome phenotypes, which can be remitted with a combination treatment of chemical chaperones. We demonstrate that our patient iPSC-derived disease model provides a valuable platform for further genotype-phenotype analysis and therapeutic development for Wolfram syndrome. Overall design: Single cell RNAseq of SC-islets derived from Wolfram syndrome iPSCs