Cultured skin fibroblasts in storage disorders. An analysis of ultrastructural features.

Electron microscopic studies were performed on cultured fibroblasts from patients with metachromatic leukodystrophy, Fabry's, Gaucher's, Niemann-Pick's (Type A and C), Sanfilippo's (Type A and B) disease, chondroitin-4-sulfate mucopolysaccharidosis, lipofuscinosis (Spielmeyer-Vogt's disease) and ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Batten's disease with curvilinear bodies). Specific cytoplasmic inclusions with a limiting membrane were identified in Fabry's disease, Niemann-Pick syndrome, chondroitin-4-sulfate mucopolysaccharidosis and Sanfilippo's Type B disease. In Fabry's disease, the lipid inclusions tended to form stacks of parallel and concentric membranes. In Niemann-Pick syndrome, the lipid inclusions were made of wavy, loosely packed membranes. In chondroitin-4-sulfate mucopolysaccharidosis and Sanfilippo B, the lysosomes were enlarged and contained a reticular matrix with little electron-dense material. No specific ultrastructural changes were observed in Gaucher's, Sanfilippo's (Type A) disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy (sulfatidosis) and Batten's disease.