A Novel congenic Mouse Model to study Obesity, Diabetes and NAFLD

Abstract

The genetic background of the mutant mouse strain plays an important role in disease development. We investigated whether Lepr mutation on different genetic background (WSB/EiJ) influences the development of obesity, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). For this study heterozygote (db/+) mice were backcrossed with WSB/EiJ strain (that is resistant to obesity and NAFLD) for more than 10 generations and intercrossed for five generations having Lepr mutated gene incorporated in WSB/EiJ background. The newly derived congenic strain was assessed and related with the B6.db strain and WSB/EiJ strain for the development of obesity, NAFLD. The Lepr mutated congenic strain on the WSB/EiJ background gained significant body weight and showed other characteristic features of obesity. However, the incidence of diabetes, NAFLD, and other kidney complications were not observed in this strain. The novel congenic mouse strain having Lepr gene on WSB/EiJ background would be a promising model for the study of obesity without NAFLD and will also help to understand the various mechanisms involved in the development of NAFLD.