Vulnerability of progeroid smooth muscle cells to biomechanical forces is mediated by MMP13

Nat Commun. 2020 Aug 17;11(1):4110. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-17901-2.

Abstract

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a premature aging disease in children that leads to early death. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are the most affected cells in HGPS individuals, although the reason for such vulnerability remains poorly understood. In this work, we develop a microfluidic chip formed by HGPS-SMCs generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), to study their vulnerability to flow shear stress. HGPS-iPSC SMCs cultured under arterial flow conditions detach from the chip after a few days of culture; this process is mediated by the upregulation of metalloprotease 13 (MMP13). Importantly, double-mutant LmnaG609G/G609GMmp13-/- mice or LmnaG609G/G609GMmp13+/+ mice treated with a MMP inhibitor show lower SMC loss in the aortic arch than controls. MMP13 upregulation appears to be mediated, at least in part, by the upregulation of glycocalyx. Our HGPS-SMCs chip represents a platform for developing treatments for HGPS individuals that may complement previous pre-clinical and clinical treatments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biotechnology / methods
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Lamin Type A / genetics
  • Lamin Type A / metabolism
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / metabolism*
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / metabolism*
  • Progeria / metabolism
  • Progeria / pathology
  • Proteomics / methods

Substances

  • Lamin Type A
  • Lmna protein, mouse
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13