No abstract

Noonan syndrome is a common human autosomal dominant birth defect, characterized by short stature, facial abnormalities, heart defects and possibly increased risk of leukemia. Mutations of Ptpn11 (also known as Shp2), which encodes the protein-tyrosine phosphatase Shp2, occur in approximately 50% of individuals with Noonan syndrome, but their molecular, cellular and developmental effects, and the relationship between Noonan syndrome and leukemia, are unclear. We generated mice expressing the Noonan syndrome-associated mutant D61G. When homozygous, the D61G mutant is embryonic lethal, whereas heterozygotes have decreased viability. Surviving Ptpn11(D61G/+) embryos ( approximately 50%) have short stature, craniofacial abnormalities similar to those in Noonan syndrome, and myeloproliferative disease. Severely affected Ptpn11(D61G/+) embryos ( approximately 50%) have multiple cardiac defects similar to those in mice lacking the Ras-GAP protein neurofibromin. Their endocardial cushions have increased Erk activation, but Erk hyperactivation is cell and pathway specific. Our results clarify the relationship between Noonan syndrome and leukemia and show that a single Ptpn11 gain-of-function mutation evokes all major features of Noonan syndrome by acting on multiple developmental lineages in a gene dosage-dependent and pathway-selective manner.

Spontaneous loss-of-function mutations in the protein-tyrosine phosphatase Shp1 cause the motheaten phenotype, characterized by widespread inflammation and autoimmunity. Because Shp1 is expressed in all hematopoietic cells, it has been unclear which aspects of the motheaten phenotypes are primary effects of Shp1 deficiency. We generated mice (Ptpn6(f/f);CD19-cre) that delete Shp1 specifically in B cells. Analysis of these mice indicates that the increase in B-1a cells in motheaten mice is a cell-autonomous consequence of Shp1 deficiency. Shp1-deficient B-1a cells could be derived from adult bone marrow and had N-nucleotide additions, consistent with an adult origin. Shp1 deficiency altered calcium response evoked by B cell antigen receptors and impaired CD40-evoked proliferation. Young Ptpn6(f/f);CD19-cre mice exhibited elevated serum immunoglobulins and impaired antibody responses to immunization, whereas older Ptpn6(f/f);CD19-cre mice developed systemic autoimmunity, characterized by DNA antibodies and immune complex glomerulonephritis. Thus, Shp1 deficiency in B cells alone perturbs B cell development and causes autoimmune disease.