Buck Institute for Research on Aging

Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam

Francis Rodier

Judith Campisi

Remi-Martin Laberge

Marco Demaria

James Mitchell

Jan H J Hoeijmakers

Wendy Toussaint

This disclosure provides non-human animal models for age-related disorders and age-sensitive traits, particularly those caused by senescence-inducing stimuli, wherein the models comprise transgenes selectively expressed by senescent cells. The disclosure further provides methods for identifying therapeutic agents effective for treating or preventing age-related disorders and age-sensitive traits using the animal models, therapeutic agents identified using such methods, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the identified therapeutic agents, and methods of treating or preventing age-related disorders and age-sensitive traits.

Nucleic acid construct with a p16 promoter that causes a prodrug converting enzyme to be expressed specifically in senescent cells

This invention provides a transgenic mouse with a p16promoter sequence that controls expression of a protein such that it is expressed preferentially in senescent cells. The protein either directly induces apoptosis, or converts a prodrug to a cytotoxic compound. In addition, the mouse is injected with syngeneic tumor cells, or has second transgene that causes tumors to form. Removing senescent cells from the mouse may result in the formation of fewer tumors.

Transgenic mouse for determining the role of senescent cells in cancer

This invention provides a transgenic mouse for studying the role of senescent cells on an age-related disorder or an age-sensitive trait. The transgene contains a p16 promoter sequence that controls expression of an enzyme so as to cause the enzyme to be expressed in senescent cells in the mouse. The enzyme converts a prodrug to a cytotoxic agent, so that treating the mouse with the prodrug results in the prodrug selectively killing the senescent cells. As a result, progression of an age-related disorder or an age-sensitive trait is delayed. Included is the 3MR mouse model, which also expresses bioluminescent and fluorescent markers under control of the p16 promoter so that senescent cells in the mice can be visualized.

Transgenic mouse having a transgene that converts a prodrug into a cytotoxic compound in senescent cells

Methods are provided herein for enhancing the effectiveness of medical therapies by administering agents that suppress a biological damage response that is inducible by the medical therapy administered to a subject. In certain embodiments, a method is provided for administering an anti-senescent cell agent that suppresses a biological response comprising cellular senescence that is induced by the medical therapy.

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Novato, CA, United States of America

Francis Rodier