Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Patients Research Articles

Inhibition of poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation reduced vascular smooth muscle cells loss and improves aortic disease in a mouse model of human accelerated aging syndrome

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder associated with features of accelerated aging. HGPS is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a de novo mutation of LMNA gene, encoding A-type lamins, resulting in the truncated form of pre-lamin A called progerin. While asymptomatic at birth, patients develop symptoms within the first year of life when they begin to display accelerated aging and suffer from growth retardation, and severe cardiovascular complications including loss of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Recent works reported the loss of VSMCs as a major factor triggering atherosclerosis in HGPS. Here, we investigated the mechanisms by which progerin expression leads to massive VSMCs loss. Using aorta tissue and primary cultures of murine VSMCs from a mouse model of HGPS, we showed increased VSMCs death associated with increased poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation. Poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation is recognized as a post-translational protein modification that coordinates the repair at DNA damage sites. Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) catalyzes protein poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation by utilizing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Our results provided the first demonstration linking progerin accumulation, augmented poly(ADP-Ribosyl)ation and decreased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) level in VSMCs. Using high-throughput screening on VSMCs differentiated from iPSCs from HGPS patients, we identified a new compound, trifluridine able to increase NAD+ levels through decrease of PARP-1 activity. Lastly, we demonstrate that trifluridine treatment in vivo was able to alleviate aortic VSMCs loss and clinical sign of progeria, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach of cardiovascular disease in progeria.

Nuclear envelope budding inhibition slows down progerin-induced aging process

Progerin causes Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), but how progerin accelerates aging is still an interesting question. Here, we provide evidence linking nuclear envelope (NE) budding and accelerated aging. Mechanistically, progerin disrupts nuclear lamina to induce NE budding in concert with lamin A/C, resulting in transport of chromatin into the cytoplasm where it is removed via autophagy, whereas emerin antagonizes this process. Primary cells from both HGPS patients and mouse models express progerin and display NE budding and chromatin loss, and ectopically expressing progerin in cells can mimic this process. More excitingly, we screen a NE budding inhibitor chaetocin by high-throughput screening, which can dramatically sequester progerin from the NE and prevent this NE budding through sustaining ERK1/2 activation. Chaetocin alleviates NE budding-induced chromatin loss and ameliorates HGPS defects in cells and mice and significantly extends lifespan of HGPS mice. Collectively, we propose that progerin-induced NE budding participates in the induction of progeria, highlight the roles of chaetocin and sustained ERK1/2 activation in anti-aging, and provide a distinct avenue for treating HGPS.

Endothelial YAP/TAZ activation promotes atherosclerosis in a mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare disease caused by the expression of progerin, an aberrant protein produced by a point mutation in the LMNA gene. HGPS patients show accelerated aging and die prematurely mainly from complications of atherosclerosis such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke. However, the mechanisms underlying HGPS vascular pathology remain ill defined. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the aorta in progerin-expressing LmnaG609G/G609G mice and wild-type controls, with a special focus on endothelial cells (ECs). HGPS ECs showed gene expression changes associated with extracellular matrix alterations, increased leukocyte extravasation, and activation of the yes-associated protein 1/transcriptional activator with PDZ-binding domain (YAP/TAZ) mechanosensing pathway, all validated by different techniques. Atomic force microscopy experiments demonstrated stiffer subendothelial extracellular matrix in progeroid aortas, and ultrasound assessment of live HGPS mice revealed disturbed aortic blood flow, both key inducers of the YAP/TAZ pathway in ECs. YAP/TAZ inhibition with verteporfin reduced leukocyte accumulation in the aortic intimal layer and decreased atherosclerosis burden in progeroid mice. Our findings identify endothelial YAP/TAZ signaling as a key mechanism of HGPS vascular disease and open a new avenue for the development of YAP/TAZ targeting drugs to ameliorate progerin-induced atherosclerosis.

Intervention for critical aortic stenosis in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is an ultra-rare genetic premature aging disease that is historically fatal in teenage years, secondary to severe accelerated atherosclerosis. The only approved treatment is the farnesyltransferase inhibitor lonafarnib, which improves vascular structure and function, extending average untreated lifespan of 14.5 years by 4.3 years (30%). With this longer lifespan, calcific aortic stenosis (AS) was identified as an emerging critical risk factor for cardiac death in older patients. Intervention to relieve critical AS has the potential for immediate improvement in healthspan and lifespan. However, HGPS patient-device size mismatch, pervasive peripheral arterial disease, skin and bone abnormalities, and lifelong failure to thrive present unique challenges to intervention. An international group of experts in HGPS, pediatric and adult cardiology, cardiac surgery, and pediatric critical care convened to identify strategies for successful treatment. Candidate procedures were evaluated by in-depth examination of 4 cases that typify HGPS clinical pathology. Modified transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and left ventricular Apico-Aortic Conduit (AAC) placement were deemed high risk but viable options. Two cases received TAVR and 2 received AAC post-summit. Three were successful and 1 patient died perioperatively due to cardiovascular disease severity, highlighting the importance of intervention timing and comparative risk stratification. These breakthrough interventions for treating critical aortic stenosis in HGPS patients could rewrite the current clinical perspective on disease course by greatly improving late-stage quality of life and increasing lifespan. Expanding worldwide medical and surgical competency for this ultra-rare disease through expert information-sharing could have high impact on treatment success.

Mitophagy defect mediates the aging-associated hallmarks in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare and fatal disease manifested by premature aging and aging-related phenotypes, making it a disease model for aging. The cellular machinery mediating age-associated phenotypes in HGPS remains largely unknown, resulting in limited therapeutic targets for HGPS. In this study, we showed that mitophagy defects impaired mitochondrial function and contributed to cellular markers associated with aging in mesenchymal stem cells derived from HGPS patients (HGPS-MSCs). Mechanistically, we discovered that mitophagy affected the aging-associated phenotypes of HGPS-MSCs by inhibiting the STING-NF-ĸB pathway and the downstream transcription of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs). Furthermore, by utilizing UMI-77, an effective mitophagy inducer, we showed that mitophagy induction alleviated aging-associated phenotypes in HGPS and naturally aged mice. Collectively, our results uncovered that mitophagy defects mediated the aging-associated markers in HGPS, highlighted the function of mitochondrial homeostasis in HGPS progression, and suggested mitophagy as an intervention target for HGPS and aging.

The Use of Peripheral Nerve Block and Intra-articular Steroid Injection for Pain Management in an Adolescent with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome: A Case Report.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disorder causing accelerated aging and age-related pathologies. Weighing benefits and risks on doing surgical versus conservative pain management require multidisciplinary planning and consideration in HGPS patients. This presents a case of a 15-year-old patient with HGPS with severe pain from bilateral hip dislocation managed with peripheral nerve block and steroid injection. This afforded her immediate pain relief allowing her to undergo physical rehabilitation comfortably.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome: Cardiovascular manifestations and treatment

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), also known as hereditary progeria syndrome, is caused by mutations in the LMNA gene and the expression of progerin, which causes accelerated aging and premature death, with most patients dying of heart failure or other cardiovascular complications in their teens. HGPS patients are able to exhibit cardiovascular phenotypes similar to physiological aging, such as extensive atherosclerosis, smooth muscle cell loss, vascular lesions, and electrical and functional abnormalities of the heart. It also excludes the traditional risk causative factors of cardiovascular disease, making HGPS a new model for studying aging-related cardiovascular disease. Here, we analyzed the pathogenesis and pathophysiological characteristics of HGPS and the relationship between HGPS and cardiovascular disease, provided insight into the molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease pathogenesis in HGPS patients and treatment strategies for this disease. Moreover, we summarize the disease models used in HGPS studies to improve our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of cardiovascular aging in HGPS patients.

Bone dysplasia in Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is associated with dysregulated differentiation and function of bone cell populations.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging disorder affecting tissues of mesenchymal origin. Most individuals with HGPS harbor a de novo c.1824C > T (p.G608G) mutation in the gene encoding lamin A (LMNA), which activates a cryptic splice donor site resulting in production of the toxic "progerin" protein. Clinical manifestations include growth deficiency, lipodystrophy, sclerotic dermis, cardiovascular defects, and bone dysplasia. Here we utilized the LmnaG609G knock-in (KI) mouse model of HGPS to further define mechanisms of bone loss associated with normal and premature aging disorders. Newborn skeletal staining of KI mice revealed altered rib cage shape and spinal curvature, and delayed calvarial mineralization with increased craniofacial and mandibular cartilage content. MicroCT analysis and mechanical testing of adult femurs indicated increased fragility associated with reduced bone mass, recapitulating the progressive bone deterioration that occurs in HGPS patients. We investigated mechanisms of bone loss in KI mice at the cellular level in bone cell populations. Formation of wild-type and KI osteoclasts from marrow-derived precursors was inhibited by KI osteoblast-conditioned media in vitro, suggesting a secreted factor(s) responsible for decreased osteoclasts on KI trabecular surfaces in vivo. Cultured KI osteoblasts exhibited abnormal differentiation characterized by reduced deposition and mineralization of extracellular matrix with increased lipid accumulation compared to wild-type, providing a mechanism for altered bone formation. Furthermore, quantitative analyses of KI transcripts confirmed upregulation of adipogenic genes both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, osteoblast phenotypic plasticity, inflammation and altered cellular cross-talk contribute to abnormal bone formation in HGPS mice.

Hepatic hydrogen sulfide levels are reduced in mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare human disease characterised by accelerated biological ageing. Current treatments are limited, and most patients die before 15 years of age. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gaseous signalling molecule that it central to multiple cellular homeostasis mechanisms. Dysregulation of tissue H2S levels is thought to contribute to an ageing phenotype in many tissues across animal models. Whether H2S is altered in HGPS is unknown. We investigated hepatic H2S production capacity and transcript, protein and enzymatic activity of proteins that regulate hepatic H2S production and disposal in a mouse model of HGPS (G609G mice, mutated Lmna gene equivalent to a causative mutation in HGPS patients). G609G mice were maintained on either regular chow (RC) or high fat diet (HFD), as HFD has been previously shown to significantly extend lifespan of G609G mice, and compared to wild type (WT) mice maintained on RC. RC fed G609G mice had significantly reduced hepatic H2S production capacity relative to WT mice, with a compensatory elevation in mRNA transcripts associated with several H2S production enzymes, including cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE). H2S levels and CSE protein were partially rescued in HFD fed G609G mice. As current treatments for patients with HGPS have failed to confer significant improvements to symptoms or longevity, the need for novel therapeutic targets is acute and the regulation of H2S through dietary or pharmacological means may be a promising new avenue for research.

Coronary and carotid artery dysfunction and KV7 overexpression in a mouse model of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare genetic disease caused by expression of progerin, a lamin A variant that is also expressed at low levels in non-HGPS individuals. Although HGPS patients die predominantly from myocardial infarction and stroke, the mechanisms that provoke pathological alterations in the coronary and cerebral arteries in HGPS remain ill defined. Here, we assessed vascular function in the coronary arteries (CorAs) and carotid arteries (CarAs) of progerin-expressing LmnaG609G/G609G mice (G609G), both in resting conditions and after hypoxic stimulus. Wire myography, pharmacological screening, and gene expression studies demonstrated vascular atony and stenosis, as well as other functional alterations in progeroid CorAs and CarAs and aorta. These defects were associated with loss of vascular smooth muscle cells and overexpression of the KV7 family of voltage-dependent potassium channels. Compared with wild-type controls, G609G mice showed reduced median survival upon chronic isoproterenol exposure, a baseline state of chronic cardiac hypoxia characterized by overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and 3α genes, and increased cardiac vascularization. Our results shed light on the mechanisms underlying progerin-induced coronary and carotid artery disease and identify KV7 channels as a candidate target for the treatment of HGPS.

Lonafarnib and everolimus reduce pathology in iPSC-derived tissue engineered blood vessel model of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare, fatal genetic disease that accelerates atherosclerosis. With a limited pool of HGPS patients, clinical trials face unique challenges and require reliable preclinical testing. We previously reported a 3D tissue engineered blood vessel (TEBV) microphysiological system fabricated with iPSC-derived vascular cells from HGPS patients. HGPS TEBVs exhibit features of HGPS atherosclerosis including loss of smooth muscle cells, reduced vasoactivity, excess extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, inflammatory marker expression, and calcification. We tested the effects of HGPS therapeutics Lonafarnib and Everolimus separately and together, currently in Phase I/II clinical trial, on HGPS TEBVs. Everolimus decreased reactive oxygen species levels, increased proliferation, reduced DNA damage in HGPS vascular cells, and improved vasoconstriction in HGPS TEBVs. Lonafarnib improved shear stress response of HGPS iPSC-derived endothelial cells (viECs) and reduced ECM deposition, inflammation, and calcification in HGPS TEBVs. Combination treatment with Lonafarnib and Everolimus produced additional benefits such as improved endothelial and smooth muscle marker expression and reduced apoptosis, as well as increased TEBV vasoconstriction and vasodilation. These results suggest that a combined trial of both drugs may provide cardiovascular benefits beyond Lonafarnib, if the Everolimus dose can be tolerated.

The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome and Potential Treatments.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare, autosomal-dominant, and fatal premature aging syndrome. HGPS is most often derived from a de novo point mutation in the LMNA gene, which results in an alternative splicing defect and the generation of the mutant protein, progerin. Progerin behaves in a dominant-negative fashion, leading to a variety of cellular and molecular changes, including nuclear abnormalities, defective DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair, and accelerated telomere attrition. Intriguingly, many of the manifestations of the HGPS cells are shared with normal aging cells. However, at a clinical level, HGPS does not fully match normal aging because of the accelerated nature of the phenotypes and its primary effects on connective tissues. Furthermore, the epigenetic changes in HGPS patients are of great interest and may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HGPS. Finally, various treatments for the HGPS patients have been developed in recent years with important effects at a cellular level, which translate to symptomatic improvement and increased lifespan.

Quantification of Farnesylated Progerin in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Patient Cells by Mass Spectrometry.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare fatal disorder characterized by premature aging and death at a median age of 14.5 years. The most common cause of HGPS (affecting circa 90% of patients) is a de novo heterozygous synonymous single-base substitution (c.1824C>T; p.G608G) in the LMNA gene that results in the accumulation of progerin, an aberrant form of lamin A that, unlike mature lamin A, remains permanently farnesylated. The ratio of progerin to mature lamin A correlates with disease severity in HGPS patients, and can be used to assess the effectiveness of therapies aimed at lessening aberrant splicing or progerin farnesylation. We recently showed that the endogenous content of lamin A and progerin can be measured by mass spectrometry (MS), providing an alternative to immunological methods, which lack the necessary specificity and quantitative accuracy. Here, we present the first non-immunological method that reliably quantifies the levels of wild-type lamin A and farnesylated progerin in cells from HGPS patients. This method, which is based on a targeted MS approach and the use of isotope-labeled internal standards, could be applied in ongoing clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of drugs that inhibit progerin farnesylation.

Arterial thrombosis in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Arterial thrombosis is the most common age-associated event underlying major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. The interplay between the vascular endothelium, platelets, and the coagulation cascade leads to thrombus formation, which results in the cessation of blood supply to the downstream tissues. Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic condition with striking features of premature aging. It is caused by defects in the nuclear A-type lamin gene, leading to intracellular accumulation of progerin. This genetic disorder is characterized by shortened lifespan, primarily due to an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Declined vascular function and compliance have been reported in HGPS patients. Nevertheless, the effect of the specific A-type lamin gene mutation on coagulation and thrombus formation has not been investigated previously. Methods 28- to 30-week-old male and female transgenic heterozygous LmnaG609G knock-in (HGPS) mice and corresponding wild-type (WT) littermate controls were exposed to photochemically-induced carotid artery endothelial injury to trigger arterial thrombosis. Vascular and circulating levels of tissue factor (TF), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). TF activity assay was also performed on carotid artery homogenates of WT and HGPS animals. Results HGPS mice displayed accelerated thrombus formation compared to the WT animals as underlined by a shortened time to occlusion. Although this finding suggests an increased activation of the extrinsic coagulation cascade, no significant differences were found in TF expression and activity in carotid artery lysates. Circulating and vascular expression of the fibrinolytic factor PAI-1 was also found to be similar between WT and HGPS animals. Furthermore, no significant difference in plasma vWF between the two groups was observed. Conclusions Our results show an increased arterial thrombotic response in HGPS mice as compared to WT littermates. This novel observation could provide a mechanistic explanation for the increased incidence of acute cardiovascular events observed in HGPS patients. Further studies will be conducted to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the observed effects, in particular, on the potential involvement of platelets. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome: A Literature Review.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging condition that involves genetic mutations, resulting in debilitating phenotypic features. The present state of knowledge on the molecular pathways that contribute to the pathophysiology of HGPS and the techniques being tested in vitro and in vivo to combat progerin toxicity have been discussed here. Nuclear morphological abnormalities, dysregulated gene expression, DNA repair deficiencies, telomere shortening, and genomic instability are all caused by progerin accumulation, all of which impair cellular proliferative capability. In addition, HGPS cells and preclinical animal models have revealed new information about the disease's molecular and cellular pathways and putative mechanisms involved in normal aging. This article has discussed the understanding of the molecular pathways by which progerin expression leads to HGPS and how the advanced therapy options for HGPS patients can help us understand and treat the condition.

SerpinE1 drives a cell-autonomous pathogenic signaling in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare, fatal disease caused by Lamin A mutation, leading to altered nuclear architecture, loss of peripheral heterochromatin and deregulated gene expression. HGPS patients eventually die by coronary artery disease and cardiovascular alterations. Yet, how deregulated transcriptional networks at the cellular level impact on the systemic disease phenotype is currently unclear. A genome-wide analysis of gene expression in cultures of primary HGPS fibroblasts identified SerpinE1, also known as Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor (PAI-1), as central gene that propels a cell-autonomous pathogenic signaling from the altered nuclear lamina. Indeed, siRNA-mediated downregulation and pharmacological inhibition of SerpinE1 by TM5441 could revert key pathological features of HGPS in patient-derived fibroblasts, including re-activation of cell cycle progression, reduced DNA damage signaling, decreased expression of pro-fibrotic genes and recovery of mitochondrial defects. These effects were accompanied by the correction of nuclear abnormalities. These data point to SerpinE1 as a novel potential effector and target for therapeutic interventions in HGPS pathogenesis.

Impact of MnTBAP and Baricitinib Treatment on Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Fibroblasts.

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disease. It is caused by a mutation in the LMNA gene, which results in a 50-amino-acid truncation of prelamin A. The resultant truncated prelamin A (progerin) lacks the cleavage site for the zinc-metallopeptidase ZMPSTE24. Progerin is permanently farnesylated, carboxymethylated, and strongly anchored to the nuclear envelope. This leads to abnormalities, such as altered nuclear shape, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. HGPS patients display symptoms of physiological aging, including atherosclerosis, alopecia, lipodystrophy, and arthritis. Currently, no cure for HGPS exists. Here we focus on a drug combination consisting of the superoxide dismutase mimetic MnTBAP and JAK1/2 inhibitor baricitinib (Bar) to restore phenotypic alterations in HGPS fibroblasts. Treating HGPS fibroblasts with the MnTBAP/Bar combination improved mitochondrial functions and sustained Bar’s positive effects on reducing progerin and pro-inflammatory factor levels. Collectively, MnTBAP/Bar combination treatment ameliorates the aberrant phenotype of HGPS fibroblasts and is a potential treatment strategy for patients with HGPS.

Status of treatment strategies for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome with a focus on prelamin: A posttranslational modification.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by premature ageing and early death at a mean age of 14.7years. At the molecular level, HGPS is caused by a de novo heterozygous mutation in LMNA, the gene encoding A-type lamins (mainly lamin A and C) and nuclear proteins, which have important cellular functions related to structure of the nuclear envelope. The LMNA mutation leads to the synthesis of a truncated prelamin A protein (called progerin), which cannot undergo normal processing to mature lamin A. In normal cells, prelamin A processing involves four posttranslational processing steps catalysed by four different enzymes. In HGPS cells, progerin accumulates as a farnesylated and methylated intermediate in the nuclear envelope where it is toxic and causes nuclear shape abnormalities and senescence. Numerous efforts have been made to target and reduce the toxicity of progerin, eliminate its synthesis and enhance its degradation, but as of today, only the use of farnesyltransferase inhibitors is approved for clinical use in HGPS patients. Here, we review the main current strategies that are being evaluated for treating HGPS, and we focus on efforts to target the posttranslational processing of progerin.

Impaired LEF1 Activation Accelerates iPSC-Derived Keratinocytes Differentiation in Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome.

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a detrimental premature aging disease caused by a point mutation in the human LMNA gene. This mutation results in the abnormal accumulation of a truncated pre-lamin A protein called progerin. Among the drastically accelerated signs of aging in HGPS patients, severe skin phenotypes such as alopecia and sclerotic skins always develop with the disease progression. Here, we studied the HGPS molecular mechanisms focusing on early skin development by differentiating patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to a keratinocyte lineage. Interestingly, HGPS iPSCs showed an accelerated commitment to the keratinocyte lineage than the normal control. To study potential signaling pathways that accelerated skin development in HGPS, we investigated the WNT pathway components during HGPS iPSCs-keratinocytes induction. Surprisingly, despite the unaffected β-catenin activity, the expression of a critical WNT transcription factor LEF1 was diminished from an early stage in HGPS iPSCs-keratinocytes differentiation. A chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiment further revealed strong bindings of LEF1 to the early-stage epithelial developmental markers K8 and K18 and that the LEF1 silencing by siRNA down-regulates the K8/K18 transcription. During the iPSCs-keratinocytes differentiation, correction of HGPS mutation by Adenine base editing (ABE), while in a partial level, rescued the phenotypes for accelerated keratinocyte lineage-commitment. ABE also reduced the cell death in HGPS iPSCs-derived keratinocytes. These findings brought new insight into the molecular basis and therapeutic application for the skin abnormalities in HGPS.

MG132 Induces Progerin Clearance and Improves Disease Phenotypes in HGPS-like Patients' Cells.

Progeroid syndromes (PS), including Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), are premature and accelerated aging diseases, characterized by clinical features mimicking physiological aging. Most classical HGPS patients carry a de novo point mutation within exon 11 of the LMNA gene encoding A-type lamins. This mutation activates a cryptic splice site, leading to the production of a truncated prelamin A, called prelamin A ∆50 or progerin, that accumulates in HGPS cell nuclei and is a hallmark of the disease. Some patients with PS carry other LMNA mutations and are named “HGPS-like” patients. They produce progerin and/or other truncated prelamin A isoforms (∆35 and ∆90). We previously found that MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, induced progerin clearance in classical HGPS through autophagy activation and splicing regulation. Here, we show that MG132 induces aberrant prelamin A clearance and improves cellular phenotypes in HGPS-like patients’ cells other than those previously described in classical HGPS. These results provide preclinical proof of principle for the use of a promising class of molecules toward a potential therapy for children with HGPS-like or classical HGPS.