Figure 3.
Foxa2 mutants exhibit features of a premature aging phenotype. (A) Young mice deficient for Foxa2 in the liver (Foxa2loxP/loxPAlfp.Cre, 2–3 months of age, n=8 per group) have the same weight as their control littermates, while cohorts of older mutants (8–9 months, n=7 or 9 per group and 10–12 months, n=4 or 6 per group) are 10% and 20% heavier than controls, respectively (upper left panel). The middle group (8–9 months old Foxa2 mutants, intermediate phenotype) already exhibits fat depots (outlined by white circles) that are much larger than those of control mice of the same age (right panels). NMR composition analysis of 8–9 months old Foxa2 mutants animals shows that weight gain is mediated by increases in both fat and lean mass (lower left panel). (B and C) Young Foxa2-deficient animals (2–3 months old, n=8 per group) maintain the same food and drink intake as their control littermates, while aged Foxa2 mutants (10–12 months old, n=4 or 6 per group) eat and drink less than controls. Values are represented as means plus standard error. p-Values were determined by Mann–Whitney U test. *p-value <0.05.