Genetic deletion of Wdr13 improves the metabolic phenotype of Lepr db/db mice by modulating AP1 and PPARγ target genes

Aim/hypothesis Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease characterised by hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance accompanied by inflammation. Previously, we showed that mice lacking the Wdr13 gene had increased islet mass due to enhanced beta cell proliferation. We hypothesised that introgression of a Wdr13-null mutation, a beta cell-proliferative phenotype, into Lepr db/db mice, a beta cell-destructive phenotype, might rescue the diabetic phenotype of the latter.