Administration of Methionine in Patients With Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis by Mutation of the MARS Gene.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare respiratory disorder. Recently, a genetic cause has been identified for a specific form of PAP predominant on La Reunion Island. This form is characterized by a multisystem phenotype including PAP, failure to thrive, hepatic involvement and chronic inflammation. This is a severe disease without any specific treatment and a high rate of mortality related to end-stage respiratory insufficiency. Two recurrent mutations were isolated in the MARS gene that encodes the methionine tRNA synthetase (MetRS). This enzyme catalyzes the ligation of methionine to tRNA and is critical for protein biosynthesis. Functional studies on mutated yeast show an altered growth and protein synthesis as compared to control yeast. Addition of methionine in culture medium corrects these defects. Complementary experiments on human purified MetRS show altered enzymatic catalytic parameters in mutated forms. Increasing blood concentration of methionine in patients could correct these parameters and potentially improve patients' phenotype in this severe disorder where no curative treatment exists.

The main objective of this protocol is to determine the tolerance of a prolonged daily supplementation of methionine in patients presenting a MARS related PAP. The secondary objectives are to determine the efficiency of such treatment on respiratory, hepatic, inflammatory and growth status.

To meet the objectives of the study, enrolled patients will receive daily oral or enteral methionine administration at increasing doses, under surveillance of plasma levels of methionine and homocysteine, and possible clinical side effects, until determining the "ideal" dose for each patient.

Once daily dosage determined for each patient, this dosage will be continued for a total of 2 months with daily clinical monitoring of tolerance and bi-monthly plasma levels surveillance of methionine and homocysteine.

Inclusion criteria

• Minor Patient with alveolar proteinosis by double mutation Ala393Thr and SER567LEU of the MARS gene, genetically proven.
• Patient in need of prolonged hospitalization in Necker for treatment of bronchial-alveolar washes in the context of care.
• Patient for which methionine can be administered orally or by enteral probe (Nasogastric or gastrostomy probe)
• Signed Informed consent form by parents / legal guardian

Exclusion criteria

• Patient with alveolar proteinosis by other mutations of the MARS gene
• Patient with alveolar proteinosis secondary to another etiology or without identified cause
• Refusal to participate in the study
• High blood pressure requiring drug treatment
• Heart failure
• Known hypersensitivity to one of the substances used or potentially used in the study: methionine, vitamins B6, B12, B9 and C
• Pre-Hypermethioninemia (Methioninemia > + 2 DS of normal for age) whatever the cause