Complete rescue of obesity, diabetes, and infertility in db/db mice by neuron-specific LEPR-B transgenes

J Clin Invest. 2005 Dec;115(12):3484-93. doi: 10.1172/JCI24059. Epub 2005 Nov 10.

Abstract

We have generated mice that carry a neuron-specific leptin receptor (LEPR) transgene whose expression is driven by the rat synapsin I promoter synapsin-LEPR B (SYN-LEPR-B). We have also generated mice that are compound hemizygotes for the transgenes SYN-LEPR-B and neuron-specific enolase-LEPR B (NSE-LEPR-B). We observed a degree of correction in db/db mice that are hemizygous (Syn db/db) and homozygous (Syn/Syn db/db) for the SYN-LEPR-B transgene similar to that previously reported for the NSE-LEPR-B transgene. We also show complete correction of the obesity and related phenotypes of db/db mice that are hemizygous for both NSE-LEPR-B and SYN-LEPR-B transgenes (Nse+Syn db/db). Body composition, insulin sensitivity, and cold tolerance were completely normalized in Nse+Syn db/db mice at 12 weeks of age compared with lean controls. In situ hybridization for LEPR B isoform expression in Nse+Syn db/db mice showed robust expression in the energy homeostasis-relevant regions of the hypothalamus. Expression of 3 neuropeptide genes, agouti-related peptide (Agrp), neuropeptide Y (Npy), and proopiomelanocortin (Pomc), was fully normalized in dual transgenic db/db mice. The 2 transgenes in concert conferred normal fertility to male and female db/db mice. Male mice with partial peripheral deletion of Lepr, induced in the periweaning phase, did not show alterations in body composition or mass. In summary, we show that brain-specific leptin signaling is sufficient to reverse the obesity, diabetes, and infertility of db/db mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Agouti-Related Protein
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Composition
  • Body Weight
  • Cold Temperature
  • DNA, Complementary / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus / therapy*
  • Female
  • Fertility
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genotype
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Homeostasis
  • Homozygote
  • Hypothalamus / pathology
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Infertility / genetics
  • Infertility / therapy*
  • Infertility, Female / therapy
  • Infertility, Male / therapy
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptide Y / genetics
  • Obesity / genetics
  • Obesity / therapy*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Phenotype
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / genetics
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin / genetics
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Receptors, Leptin
  • Signal Transduction
  • Synapsins / genetics
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Transgenes

Substances

  • Agouti-Related Protein
  • Blood Glucose
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Insulin
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Peptides
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Leptin
  • Synapsins
  • Pro-Opiomelanocortin
  • Phosphopyruvate Hydratase
  • Glucose