Correction of cilia structure and function alleviates multi-organ pathology in Bardet–Biedl syndrome mice

Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a pleiotropic autosomal recessive ciliopathy affecting multiple organs. The development of potential disease-modifying therapy for BBS will require concurrent targeting of multi-systemic manifestations. Here, we show for the first time that monosialodihexosylganglioside accumulates in Bbs2(−/−) cilia, indicating impairment of glycosphingolipid (GSL) metabolism in BBS. Consequently, we tested whether BBS pathology in Bbs2(−/−) mice can be reversed by targeting the underlying ciliary defect via reduction of GSL metabolism. Inhibition of GSL synthesis with the glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor Genz-667161 decreases the obesity, liver disease, retinal degeneration and olfaction defect in Bbs2(−/−) mice. These effects are secondary to preservation of ciliary structure and signaling, and stimulation of cellular differentiation. In conclusion, reduction of GSL metabolism resolves the multi-organ pathology of Bbs2(−/−) mice by directly preserving ciliary structure and function towards a normal phenotype. Since this approach does not rely on the correction of the underlying genetic mutation, it might translate successfully as a treatment for other ciliopathies.