Overview

Several genes associated with the etiology of obesity have been identified. Studies of these genes have shown that some genes involved in food intake pathways and the regulation of energy expenditure play a key role in the susceptibility to obesity. Based on a deeper understanding of these genes and the molecular mechanisms of obesity, anti-obesity gene therapy has emerged as a novel and important approach to addressing this disease. Protheragen offers a customized anti-obesity gene therapy development service based on its extensive knowledge of obesity and hands-on experience in therapeutic development, in line with obesity-related research. Our goal is to assist our clients in furthering their research through comprehensive support to successfully develop new strategies for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases.

Explore Cutting-edge Anti-Obesity Gene Therapy at Protheragen

Anti-obesity gene therapy refers to weight loss and adiposity reduction by increasing or decreasing gene products to support energy expenditure and lipolysis. We successfully deliver, express, or modulate therapeutic genes in appropriate cellular or animal models and test the efficacy of these anti-obesity gene therapies in animal models for obesity reversal, maintenance of energy homeostasis, and more. Specific services provided include the following:

Anti-Obesity Gene Therapy Development

The main methods of anti-obesity gene therapy include viral vector delivery, non-viral gene vectors, physical delivery, and genome editing technologies (knockout, silencing, etc.). The therapies involve important obesity-related genes, such as genes regulating adipocyte differentiation, genes involved in thermogenesis and lipolysis, genes related to food intake and fatty acid metabolism, and genes for clock mechanisms related to circadian rhythms.

• Leptin gene: Leptin plays a key role in influencing appetite, and hunger and regulating energy intake and is the most studied gene directly related to obesity. Defects in the ob gene encoding leptin are associated with severe obesity. We transfer the viral vector-mediated leptin gene into the animal model and evaluate its therapeutic effect.
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): BDNF deficiency leads to severe hyperphagic obesity. We transfer the BDNF gene into the animal model and examine the effects on mouse metabolism, among others.
• Adiponectin gene: Adiponectin is an adipose-derived adipokine that is downregulated in obesity. We transfer the genes for adiponectin and/or its receptor and assess the role of this strategy in effectively blocking obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance.
• Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) gene: As a secreted protein, FGF21 plays a vital role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. We transfer FGF21 and evaluate its therapeutic effect in an obesity model.
• Irisin: Irisin is also a secreted protein that acts as a messenger between adipose tissue and muscle. Overexpression of irisin by gene transfer in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice is found to slightly reduce body weight and greatly improve glucose tolerance by increasing energy expenditure and changing white fat to brown fat. We design anti-obesity gene therapy targeting irisin and evaluate its therapeutic effects.
• Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4): FABP4 plays a vital role in obesity-associated inflammation, atherogenesis, and insulin resistance. Inhibition of Fabp4 expression inhibits obesity. Based on this, we design the anti-obesity gene therapy targeting FABP4 and conduct preclinical studies.
• Other genes: In addition to this, we are developing therapies based on other obesity-related genes and conducting trials related to preclinical evaluation.

Preclinical Studies of Gene Therapy

We accurately assess the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, toxicity, and other safety studies of anti-obesity gene therapy in various animal models, which greatly support preclinical trial studies.

• Obesity Models: Various Animal Models simulating obesity (e.g., transgenic Mice, Rats, etc.) help to understand gene interactions and obesity mechanisms. We construct HFD-induced animal models, gene mutation models, etc., and use these models to assess the efficacy and potential safety of anti-obesity gene therapy. In addition to this, we have a wealth of in vitro Cell Models to choose from for research.
• Pharmacodynamic Study: We conduct a series of pharmacodynamic studies to measure the improvement of anti-obesity drugs on core indicators such as weight loss, body fat percentage reduction, and metabolic rate enhancement.
  • Food/Water Intake Assessment
  • Quantitative Analysis of Body Fat Distribution
  • Energy Expenditure Monitoring
  • Measurement of Ectopic Fat Accumulation
  • Molecular Biomarker Analysis
• Pharmacokinetic Study: We investigate the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and metabolism of anti-obesity drugs, and carefully evaluate their bioavailability, half-life, and other key parameters.
  • DMPK Study of Anti-Obesity Drugs
  • ADME Study of Anti-Obesity Drugs
• Bioanalysis: We use a variety of highly sensitive analytical methods to accurately measure the concentration levels of drugs and their metabolites in samples, as well as to perform other related bioanalyses.
  • Biological Analysis of Macromolecular Drugs
  • Bioanalysis of Small Molecule Drugs
• Safety Assessment: We carefully evaluate the effects of gene transfer, knockout, knockdown, etc., on animal models to evaluate the safety of anti-obesity gene therapy.
  • Safety Pharmacology Studies
  • Toxicology Studies

Workflow

We offer a full range of services and carefully design every aspect of our experimental program to help accelerate research into anti-obesity gene therapies.

Applications

• Anti-obesity gene therapy development provides valuable information for obesity prevention research.
• Obesity often leads to metabolic disorders, which leads to other diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The development of anti-obesity gene therapies helps facilitate research into treatments for obesity-related complications.
• Combining anti-obesity gene therapy with other obesity interventions (dietary changes, behavioral therapies, etc.) helps to develop combination therapies that enhance the overall treatment effect.

Advantages

• Experienced research team: Our research team consists of multidisciplinary personnel with extensive experience in obesity research, which allows us to quickly respond to different gene therapy research needs.
• Targeted development of anti-obesity gene therapies: We design and validate more personalized therapeutic regimens for specific obesity-related genes according to our client's research objectives.
• Comprehensive therapy development services: We provide a full range of anti-obesity gene therapy development services, from the design of target-specific gene therapies, gene editing, and model construction, to efficacy testing.

Other Personalized Services

Our team has been working in the field of obesity research and anti-obesity treatments for many years and is committed to providing personalized analytical solutions and full-service support. In addition to anti-obesity treatment development services, we offer a diverse range of services including obesity risk analysis, diagnostic testing, obesity prediction, gene editing, obesity biomarker testing, microbiome analysis, and pathology research. In addition, we have deep expertise in personalized weight loss and weight management. On this basis, we also help develop personalized weight loss plans.

Publication Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the genetic causes of obesity?

Genetic factors play a vital role in the pathogenesis of obesity and include the following three:

• Monogenic obesity is severe early-onset obesity caused by mutations in a single gene (e.g., melanocortin 4 receptor, leptin, etc.), mainly located in the leptin-melanocortin pathway.
• Syndromic obesity is severe obesity associated with neurodevelopmental abnormalities and concomitant organ malformations.
• Polygenic obesity is the most common form, and these genes interact with environmental factors to drive obesity.

What are the advantages of each of the gene editing strategies used in anti-obesity gene therapy?

Gene editing strategies include viral vector delivery, non-viral gene vectors (protein and lipid), and genome editing techniques.

• Adenoviral vectors are used to transfer therapeutic genes in various animal models of obesity and metabolic disorders.
• The use of non-viral gene vectors provides a safer approach in terms of controlled gene expression and host immune response.
• Advances in genome editing technologies have enabled precise genetic engineering and correction of gene mutations. Among other things, RNA interference inhibits the expression of target genes. The gene editing system provides an intelligent platform for targeted gene modification.

Protheragen has a team of researchers with extensive expertise in gene therapy research and offers a personalized anti-obesity gene therapy development service. We are at the forefront of obesity research and innovative therapy development. Our team is committed to providing comprehensive support throughout the anti-obesity gene therapy development process. Welcome to contact us to discuss the details of anti-obesity gene therapy.

All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.

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