Sp1 transcription factor interaction with accumulated prelamin a impairs adipose lineage differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells: essential role of sp1 in the integrity of lipid vesicles

Stem Cells Transl Med. 2012 Apr;1(4):309-21. doi: 10.5966/sctm.2011-0010. Epub 2012 Apr 2.

Abstract

Lamin A (LMNA)-linked lipodystrophies may be either genetic (associated with LMNA mutations) or acquired (associated with the use of human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitors [PIs]), and in both cases they share clinical features such as anomalous distribution of body fat or generalized loss of adipose tissue, metabolic alterations, and early cardiovascular complications. Both LMNA-linked lipodystrophies are characterized by the accumulation of the lamin A precursor prelamin A. The pathological mechanism by which prelamin A accumulation induces the lipodystrophy associated phenotypes remains unclear. Since the affected tissues in these disorders are of mesenchymal origin, we have generated an LMNA-linked experimental model using human mesenchymal stem cells treated with a PI, which recapitulates the phenotypes observed in patient biopsies. This model has been demonstrated to be a useful tool to unravel the pathological mechanism of the LMNA-linked lipodystrophies, providing an ideal system to identify potential targets to generate new therapies for drug discovery screening. We report for the first time that impaired adipogenesis is a consequence of the interaction between accumulated prelamin A and Sp1 transcription factor, sequestration of which results in altered extracellular matrix gene expression. In fact, our study shows a novel, essential, and finely tuned role for Sp1 in adipose lineage differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells. These findings define a new physiological experimental model to elucidate the pathological mechanisms LMNA-linked lipodystrophies, creating new opportunities for research and treatment not only of LMNA-linked lipodystrophies but also of other adipogenesis-associated metabolic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipogenesis / physiology
  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lamin Type A
  • Lipid Metabolism / physiology*
  • Lipodystrophy / genetics
  • Lipodystrophy / metabolism
  • Lipodystrophy / pathology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mutation
  • Nuclear Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Protein Precursors / biosynthesis*
  • Protein Precursors / genetics
  • Secretory Vesicles / genetics
  • Secretory Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*

Substances

  • Lamin Type A
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Protein Precursors
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor
  • prelamin A