A humanized osteopontin mouse model and its application in immunometabolic obesity studies

Nicole G Grün1, Karina Zeyda2, Veronica Moreno-Viedma1

  • 1Christian Doppler Laboratory for Cardio-Metabolic Immunotherapy and Clinical Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Insights

Researchers developed a humanized SPP1 mouse model to study osteopontin (OPN) in obesity and inflammation. This model effectively mimics diet-induced obesity and inflammation, offering a new tool for therapeutic development targeting OPN.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Metabolic Diseases

Background:

  • Osteopontin (OPN) is a key protein in inflammatory processes, implicated in obesity and cancer.
  • OPN's pro-inflammatory effects are mediated through binding to integrin receptors and CD44.
  • Targeting OPN offers a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish and validate a humanized SPP1 (hSPP1) mouse model for studying OPN in vivo.
  • To assess the model's utility in investigating obesity and insulin resistance.
  • To explore OPN's role in diet-induced metabolic changes.

Main Methods:

  • Generation of a humanized SPP1 (hSPP1) mouse model.
  • Comparison of hSPP1 mice with wild-type (WT) littermates under standard and high-fat diet conditions.
  • Analysis of body weight, behavioral properties, inflammation markers, and insulin resistance.

Main Results:

  • hSPP1 mice showed no significant differences from WT mice without dietary challenge.
  • High-fat diet induced obesity and inflammation in hSPP1 mice, with significant alterations in insulin resistance.
  • Tissue OPN expression profiles were diet-dependently altered in hSPP1 compared to WT mice.

Conclusions:

  • A versatile humanized SPP1 mouse model was successfully developed.
  • This model is suitable for in vivo studies of OPN's function in various pathologies, including obesity and insulin resistance.
  • The model facilitates the development of therapeutic strategies targeting human OPN.