Molecular Bases of Disease
Antisense oligonucleotides targeting Notch2 ameliorate the osteopenic phenotype in a mouse model of Hajdu-Cheney syndrome
Notch receptors play critical roles in cell-fate decisions and in the regulation of skeletal development and bone remodeling. Gain–of–function NOTCH2 mutations can cause Hajdu-Cheney syndrome, an untreatable disease characterized by osteoporosis and fractures, craniofacial developmental abnormalities, and acro-osteolysis. We have previously created a mouse model harboring a point 6955C→T mutation in the Notch2 locus upstream of the PEST domain, and we termed this model Notch2tm1.1Ecan. Heterozygous Notch2tm1.1Ecan mutant mice exhibit severe cancellous and cortical bone osteopenia due to increased bone resorption.Hajdu Cheney Mouse Mutants Exhibit Osteopenia, Increased Osteoclastogenesis, and Bone Resorption
Notch receptors are determinants of cell fate and function and play a central role in skeletal development and bone remodeling. Hajdu Cheney syndrome, a disease characterized by osteoporosis and fractures, is associated with NOTCH2 mutations resulting in a truncated stable protein and gain-of-function. We created a mouse model reproducing the Hajdu Cheney syndrome by introducing a 6955C→T mutation in the Notch2 locus leading to a Q2319X change at the amino acid level. Notch2Q2319X heterozygous mutants were smaller and had shorter femurs than controls; and at 1 month of age they exhibited cancellous and cortical bone osteopenia.
