Apolipoprotein A-IV-Deficient Mice in 129/SvJ Background Are Susceptible to Obesity and Glucose Intolerance

Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV), synthesized by enterocytes, is potentially involved in regulating lipid absorption and metabolism, food intake, and glucose metabolism. In this study, we backcrossed apoA-IV knockout (apoA-IV−/−) mice onto the 129/SvJ background for eight generations. Compared to the wild-type (WT) mice, the 129/SvJ apoA-IV−/− mice gained more weight and exhibited delayed glucose clearance even on the chow diet. During a 16-week high-fat diet (20% by weight of fat) study, apoA-IV−/− mice were more obese than the WT mice, which was associated with their increased food intake as well as reduced energy expenditure and physical activity. In addition, apoA-IV−/− mice developed significant insulin resistance (indicated by HOMA-IR) with severe glucose intolerance even though their insulin levels were drastically higher than the WT mice. In conclusion, we have established a model of apoA-IV−/− mice onto the 129/SvJ background. Unlike in the C57BL/6J strain, apoA-IV−/− 129/SvJ mice become significantly more obese and insulin-resistant than WT mice. Our current investigations of apoA-IV in the 129/SvJ strain and our previous studies in the C57BL/6J strain underline the impact of genetic background on apoA-IV metabolic effects.