Pharmacokinetics and dynamics of mycophenolate mofetil after single-dose oral administration in juvenile dachshunds.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is recommended as an alternative/complementary immunosuppressant. Pharmacokinetic and dynamic effects of MMF are unknown in young-aged dogs. We investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single oral dose MMF metabolite, mycophenolic acid (MPA), in healthy juvenile dogs purpose-bred for the tripeptidyl peptidase 1 gene (TPP1) mutation. The dogs were heterozygous for the mutation (nonaffected carriers). Six dogs received 13 mg/kg oral MMF and two placebo. Pharmacokinetic parameters derived from plasma MPA were evaluated. Whole-blood mitogen-stimulated T-cell proliferation was determined using a flow cytometric assay. Plasma MPA Cmax (mean ± SD, 9.33 ± 7.04 µg/ml) occurred at <1 hr. The AUC0-∞ (mean ± SD, 12.84±6.62 hr*µg/ml), MRTinf (mean ± SD, 11.09 ± 9.63 min), T1/2 (harmonic mean ± PseudoSD 5.50 ± 3.80 min), and k/d (mean ± SD, 0.002 ± 0.001 1/min). Significant differences could not be detected between % inhibition of proliferating CD5+ T lymphocytes at any time point (p = .380). No relationship was observed between MPA concentration and % inhibition of proliferating CD5+ T lymphocytes (R = .148, p = .324). Pharmacodynamics do not support the use of MMF in juvenile dogs at the administered dose based on existing therapeutic targets.

Extraneuronal pathology in a canine model of CLN2 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis after intracerebroventricular gene therapy that delays neurological disease progression.

CLN2 neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis is a hereditary lysosomal storage disease with primarily neurological signs that results from mutations in TPP1, which encodes the lysosomal enzyme tripeptidyl peptidase-1 (TPP1). Studies using a canine model for this disorder demonstrated that delivery of TPP1 enzyme to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by intracerebroventricular administration of an AAV-TPP1 vector resulted in substantial delays in the onset and progression of neurological signs and prolongation of life span. We hypothesized that the treatment may not deliver therapeutic levels of this protein to tissues outside the central nervous system that also require TPP1 for normal lysosomal function. To test this hypothesis, dogs treated with CSF administration of AAV-TPP1 were evaluated for the development of non-neuronal pathology. Affected treated dogs exhibited progressive cardiac pathology reflected by elevated plasma cardiac troponin-1, impaired cardiac function and development of histopathological myocardial lesions. Progressive increases in the plasma activity levels of alanine aminotransferase and creatine kinase indicated development of pathology in the liver and muscles. The treatment also did not prevent disease-related accumulation of lysosomal storage bodies in the heart or liver. These studies indicate that optimal treatment outcomes for CLN2 disease may require delivery of TPP1 systemically as well as directly to the central nervous system.