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A progeroid syndrome in mice is caused by defects in A-type lamins

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Abstract

Numerous studies of the underlying causes of ageing have been attempted by examining diseases associated with premature ageing, such as Werner's syndrome and Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). HGPS is a rare genetic disorder resulting in phenotypes suggestive of accelerated ageing, including shortened stature, craniofacial disproportion, very thin skin, alopecia and osteoporosis, with death in the early teens predominantly due to atherosclerosis1. However, recent reports suggest that developmental abnormalities may also be important in HGPS1,2. Here we describe the derivation of mice carrying an autosomal recessive mutation in the lamin A gene (Lmna) encoding A-type lamins, major components of the nuclear lamina3. Homozygous mice display defects consistent with HGPS, including a marked reduction in growth rate and death by 4 weeks of age. Pathologies in bone, muscle and skin are also consistent with progeria. The Lmna mutation resulted in nuclear morphology defects and decreased lifespan of homozygous fibroblasts, suggesting premature cell death. Here we present a mouse model for progeria that may elucidate mechanisms of ageing and development in certain tissue types, especially those developing from the mesenchymal cell lineage.

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Figure 1: LmnaL530P/L530P homozygous mice exhibit severely retarded growth and die early.
Figure 2: Tissue pathology in LmnaL530P/L530P homozygous mutant mice.
Figure 3: Homozygous LmnaL530P/L530P fibroblasts showed nuclear envelope abnormalities and decreased lifespan.

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Acknowledgements

We thank L. Sewell for technical assistance in our animal facility; D. Haines and D. Smith for help in pathological examination of the mice; H. Wimbrow for assistance in the use of the Piximus densitometer; R. Frederickson for preparation of the figures and B. Burke and B. Howard for discussions.

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  1. Cancer and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, 21702, USA

    Leslie C. Mounkes, Serguei Kozlov, Lidia Hernandez, Teresa Sullivan & Colin L. Stewart

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  1. Leslie C. Mounkes
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  2. Serguei Kozlov
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  3. Lidia Hernandez
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  4. Teresa Sullivan
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  5. Colin L. Stewart
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Correspondence to Colin L. Stewart.

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Mounkes, L., Kozlov, S., Hernandez, L. et al. A progeroid syndrome in mice is caused by defects in A-type lamins. Nature 423, 298–301 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature01631

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