Adipocyte-specific Krüppel-like factor 14 overexpression confers sex-biased protection from weight gain on a high-fat diet

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Metabolic syndrome, a constellation of cardiometabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, predisposes individuals to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. One frequently replicated MetSyn genetic association signal is located near KLF14 and is linked to central adiposity, with stronger effects observed in females. Lower KLF14 expression has been associated with detrimental metabolic phenotypes; however, the therapeutic effect of KLF14 germline overexpression remains unexplored. Here, we generated an adipocyte-specific Klf14 overexpression mouse model to investigate its role in metabolic regulation. Transgenic overexpression conferred sex-dependent metabolic benefits, including reduced weight gain, improved body composition, and enhanced acute insulin sensitivity, predominantly in female mice. These effects were accompanied by increased expression of genes involved in lipid uptake and thermogenic browning of white adipose tissue. Our findings demonstrate that KLF14 overexpression confers protective metabolic effects in a sex-specific manner and support the potential of KLF14-targeted strategies for treating metabolic syndrome.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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