Research Paper Volume 3, Issue 12 pp 1192—1201
Robust nuclear lamina-based cell classification of aging and senescent cells
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- 2 Quantitative Imaging Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
- 3 Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Imaging Division, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- 4 Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology, University of Manitoba, Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Received: December 20, 2011 Accepted: December 23, 2011 Published: December 24, 2011
https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100414How to Cite
Abstract
Changes in the shape of the nuclear lamina are exhibited in senescent cells, as well as in cells expressing mutations in lamina genes. To identify cells with defects in the nuclear lamina we developed an imaging method that quantifies the intensity and curvature of the nuclear lamina. We show that this method accurately describes changes in the nuclear lamina. Spatial changes in nuclear lamina coincide with redistribution of lamin A proteins and local reduction in protein mobility in senescent cell. We suggest that local accumulation of lamin A in the nuclear envelope leads to bending of the structure. A quantitative distinction of the nuclear lamina shape in cell populations was found between fresh and senescent cells, and between primary myoblasts from young and old donors. Moreover, with this method mutations in lamina genes were significantly distinct from cells with wild-type genes. We suggest that this method can be applied to identify abnormal cells during aging, in in vitro propagation, and in lamina disorders.