Wnt10b Inhibits Obesity in ob/ob and Agouti Mice

Abstract

The Wnt family of secreted signaling molecules has profound effects on diverse developmental processes, including the fate of mesenchymal progenitors. While activation of Wnt signaling blocks adipogenesis, inhibition of endogenous Wnt/β-catenin signaling by Wnt10b promotes spontaneous preadipocyte differentiation. Transgenic mice with expression of Wnt10b from the FABP4 promoter (FABP4-Wnt10b) have less adipose tissue when maintained on a normal chow diet and are resistant to diet-induced obesity. Here we demonstrate that FABP4-Wnt10b mice largely avert weight gain and metabolic abnormalities associated with genetic obesity. FABP4-Wnt10b mice do not gain significant body weight on the ob/ob background, and at 8 weeks of age, they have an ∼70% reduction in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues compared with ob/ob mice. Similarly, on the lethal yellow agouti (Ay) background, FABP4-Wnt10b mice have 50–70% less adipose tissue weight and circulating leptin at 5 months of age. Wnt10b-Ay mice are more glucose tolerant and insulin sensitive than Ay controls, perhaps due to reduced expression and circulation of resistin. Reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines may also contribute to improved glucose homeostasis.