Researchers cure type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice using gene therapy

UAB researchers cure type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice using gene therapy
The research team at CBATEG (UAB). Credit: UAB

A research team from the UAB led by Professor Fatima Bosch has managed to cure obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice using gene therapy.

A single administration of an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) carrying the FGF21 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 21) gene, resulted in genetic manipulation of the liver, adipose tissue or to continuously produce the FGF21 protein. This protein is a hormone secreted naturally by several organs that acts on many tissues for the maintenance of correct energy metabolism. By inducing FGF21 production through gene therapy the animal lost weight and decreased , which causes the development of type 2 diabetes.

The therapy has been tested successfully in two different mouse models of obesity, induced either by diet or genetic mutations. In addition, the authors observed that when administered to healthy mice, the gene therapy promoted healthy ageing and prevented age-associated weight gain and insulin resistance.

After treatment with AAV-FGF21, mice lost weight and reduced fat accumulation and inflammation in adipose tissue; fat content (steatosis), inflammation and fibrosis of the liver were also reversed; this led to an increase in insulin sensitivity and in healthy ageing, without any adverse side effects.

The results have been reproduced after genetic manipulation of three different tissues (liver, adipose tissue or skeletal muscle) to produce the FGF21 protein. "This gives a great flexibility to the therapy, since it allows to select each time the most appropriate tissue, and in case some complication prevents manipulating any of the tissues, it can be applied to any of the others. When a produces FGF21 protein and secretes it into the bloodstream, it will be distributed throughout the body," says the director of the study Dr. Fatima Bosch.

The authors highlight the importance of these results, since "the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity is growing at alarming rates around the world," explains the UAB researcher and co-author of the study Claudia Jambrina. Obesity also increases the risk of mortality and represents an important risk factor for cardiovascular and immune diseases, hypertension, arthritis, neurodegenerative disorders and some types of cancer.

"This is the first time that long term reversion of obesity and insulin resistance have been achieved upon a one-time administration of a gene therapy, in an animal model that resembles obesity and type 2 diabetes in humans," says the first author of the paper and UAB researcher Veronica Jimenez. "The results demonstrate that it is a safe and effective therapy."

The results also reveal that the administration of the gene therapy protected against the risk of tumor formation in the liver in response to a hypercaloric diet for a prolonged period of time.

The native FGF21 protein has a short half-life when administered using conventional procedures. For this reason, the pharmaceutical industry has developed FGF21 analogues/mimetics and has already conducted clinical trials. FGF21 analogues/mimetics, however, require periodic administration to mediate clinical benefits, but may raise immunological issues associated to the administration of exogenous proteins. The gene therapy vectors used by Dr. Bosch's team, however, induce the mice to produce for many years the same FGF21 hormone naturally produced by the body, after a single administration and without any adverse effects.

For Dr. Bosch the next step will be to "test this therapy in larger animals before moving to clinical trials with patients." AAV-mediated has been approved in Europe and the United States for the treatment of several diseases, due to its efficacy and safety profile. Similarly, there exists extensive clinical experience in applying AAV-mediated gene transfer to liver and skeletal muscle. Consequently, "the described in this study constitutes the basis for the future clinical translation of FGF21 gene transfer to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity and related comorbidities," Dr. Bosch concludes.

The results of the research are published today in EMBO Molecular Medicine.

More information: Veronica Jimenez et al, FGF21 gene therapy as treatment for obesity and insulin resistance, EMBO Molecular Medicine (2018). DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201708791

Journal information: EMBO Molecular Medicine
Citation: Researchers cure type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice using gene therapy (2018, July 10) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-07-diabetes-obesity-mice-gene-therapy.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Research reveals potential target for alcohol liver disease

16 shares

Feedback to editors