Adipocyte-Specific Deletion of Lamin A/C Largely Models Human Familial Partial Lipodystrophy Type 2

Mechanisms by which autosomal recessive mutations in Lmna cause familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2) are poorly understood. To investigate function of lamin A/C in adipose tissues, we created mice with an adipocyte-specific loss of Lmna (Lmna^ADKO). Although Lmna^ADKO mice develop and maintain adipose tissues in early postnatal life, they show a striking and progressive loss of white and brown adipose tissues as they approach sexual maturity. Lmna^ADKO mice exhibit a surprisingly mild metabolic dysfunction on a chow diet, but on a high fat diet they share many characteristics of FPLD2 including hyperglycemia, hepatic steatosis, hyperinsulinemia, and almost undetectable circulating adiponectin and leptin. Whereas Lmna^ADKO mice have reduced regulated and constitutive bone marrow adipose tissue with a concomitant increase in cortical bone, FPLD2 patients have reduced bone mass and bone mineral density compared to controls. In cell culture models of Lmna deficiency, mesenchymal precursors undergo adipogenesis without impairment, whereas fully-differentiated adipocytes have increased lipolytic responses to adrenergic stimuli. Lmna^ADKO mice faithfully reproduce many characteristics of FPLD2 and thus provide a unique animal model to investigate mechanisms underlying Lmna-dependent loss of adipose tissues.