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Obesity therapy and prevention by LRIG2 inhibition – a translational validation in a pig model

Institution: Institut für Molekulare Tierzucht und Biotechnologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Genzentrum
Applicant: PD Dr. Maik Dahlhoff, LMU München, Genzentrum
Funding line:
Translational Research
LRIG2 will be inhibited by monoclonal antibodies what decreases lipid retention in adipocytes and reduces fat tissues. Investigations will be done in mice, pigs, and humans.

Worldwide, obesity and its associated diseases, mainly type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders (hypertension, arteriosclerosis), represent strongly rising problems in humans. In 2016, the World Health Organization reported that more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight and of these, more than 650 million were obese. 18 million people die every year from the consequences of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and this accounts for about one third of all deaths worldwide. Obese patients with severe cardiovascular disorders often undergo dietary programs, and the dietary programs have to be frequently supported with therapeutics to be successful. 

The working group is busy with in vitro investigations in the cell culture room. From left to right: Dr. Kathrin Hedegger, Maximilian Marschall and Dr. Christine Hösl.

We previously demonstrated that LRIG2 knockout mice do not gain body fat when fed with a high caloric diet. Interestingly, LRIG2-deficient mice showed significant smaller adipocytes compared to their control littermates. In this translational project, we want to verify our results in a large animal model and to investigate potential toxic effects resulting from LRIG2 inhibition. Furthermore, we want to generate monoclonal antibodies against LRIG2 and to validate them in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. If the antibodies show the desired results regarding the fat metabolism, we will test the monoclonal antibodies in a clinical study. The aim of this study is to develop a new drug to support dietary programs to fight obesity and its associated diseases. 

Here you can get further information.

 

Project partner:
Prof. Dr. Christoph Klein
Kinderklinink und Kinderpoliklinik
im Dr. von Haunerschen Kinderspital 
Klinikum der Universität München
Campus Innenstadt
Lindwurmstr. 4
80337 München