Growth retardation as well as spleen and thymus involution in latent TGF-beta binding protein (Ltbp)-3 null mice.
The latent TGF-beta binding protein (LTBP)-3 is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein that binds the small latent complex (SLC) of TGF-beta. Disruption of the Ltbp-3 gene by homologous recombination in mice yields mutant animals that display multiple skeletal abnormalities. In addition, these mice have retarded growth. On an inbred 129 SvEv background, half of the Ltbp-3 mutant mice die between 3 and 4 weeks after birth. These mice show severe involution of the thymus and spleen and a sharp reduction in the numbers of CD4/CD8 double positive T-cells in the thymus. The thymus and spleen defect is caused by elevated corticosterone levels in the serum and can be reversed by injection of aminoglutethimide (AMG), an inhibitor of steroid synthesis. This result indicates that the thymus and spleen defect is a secondary defect due to high corticosterone levels probably induced by stress of unknown etiology.
Chen
Yan
Y
Department of Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York 10016, USA. cheny01@med.nyu.edu
Dabovic
Branka
B
Colarossi
Cristina
C
Santori
Fabio R
FR
Lilic
Mirjana
M
Vukmanovic
Stanislav
S
Rifkin
Daniel B
DB
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000375:Aging; D000616:Aminoglutethimide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D053779:Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010641:Phenotype; D013154:Spleen / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D053779:Latent TGF-beta Binding Proteins; C509039:Ltbp3 protein, mouse; D000616:Aminoglutethimide; D003345:Corticosterone