Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and Werner syndrome (WS) are two of the representative genetic progeroid syndromes and have been widely studied in the field of aging research. HGPS is a pediatric disease in which premature aging symptoms appear in early childhood, and death occurs at an average age of 14.5 years, mainly due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Conversely, WS patients exhibit accelerated aging phenotypes after puberty and die in their 50s due to CVD and malignant tumors. Both diseases are models of human aging, leading to a better understanding of the aging-associated development of CVD. In this review, we discuss the pathogenesis and treatment of atherosclerotic diseases presented by both progeroid syndromes with the latest findings.
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria SyndromeHGPS is an ultra-rare autosomal dominant genetic premature aging syndrome that occurs in one in four to eight million births and causes death at an average age of 14.5 years due to myocardial infarction or stroke 4, 5) (Table 1). Because of the abnormal splicing of the LMNA gene on chromosome 1, the lamin A protein encoded by this gene cannot be normally produced, and an abnormal protein called progerin accumulates in the nucleus. The main symptoms are scleroderma-like skin, joint contractures, bone abnormalities, hair loss, growth retardation, and atherosclerotic diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
Clinical Characteristics of HGPSInfants with HGPS are normal at birth, but the mean weight is slightly small for gestational age 4) . The first pathognomonic signs are prominent veins on the nose bridge, followed by growth retardation, hair loss, and reduced subcutaneous fat around 6 to 12 months, and the diagnosis is often made between 2 and 3 years Copyright©2021 Japan Atherosclerosis Society This article is distributed under the terms of the latest version of CC BY-NC-SA defined by the Creative Commons Attribution License.