biostudies-literatureUnknown5(1)Muller-Eigner AImpetus Grant National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftSuitable animal models are essential for translational research, especially in the case of complex, multifactorial conditions, such as obesity. The non-inbred mouse (Mus musculus) line Titan, also known as DU6, is one of the world's longest selection experiments for high body mass and was previously described as a model for metabolic healthy (benign) obesity. The present study further characterizes the geno- and phenotypes of this non-inbred mouse line and tests its suitability as an interventional obesity model. In contrast to previous findings, our data suggest that Titan mice are metabolically unhealthy obese and short-lived. Line-specific patterns of genetic invariability are in accordance with observed phenotypic traits. Titan mice also show modifications in the liver transcriptome, pCommunications biology408https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9065075biostudies-literatureDietary intervention improves health metrics and life expectancy of the genetically obese Titan mouse.PMC9065075Gerlini RBecker LSchoen JImhof ALudwig CKoch FGailus-Durner VForne Ide Angelis MHKlein-Rodewald TCaton VVenkatasubramani AVRathkolb BAguilar-Pimentel AHeiker JTPeleg SLanghammer MCalzada-Wack JBrenmoehl JReyer HHoeflich AGille BKuhla AMeng CPalma-Vera SFuchs HMuller-Eigner ASanz-Moreno Ade-Diego IfalseDietary intervention improves health metrics and life expectancy of the genetically obese Titan mouse.Suitable animal models are essential for translational research, especially in the case of complex, multifactorial conditions, such as obesity. The non-inbred mouse (Mus musculus) line Titan, also known as DU6, is one of the world's longest selection experiments for high body mass and was previously described as a model for metabolic healthy (benign) obesity. The present study further characterizes the geno- and phenotypes of this non-inbred mouse line and tests its suitability as an interventional obesity model. In contrast to previous findings, our data suggest that Titan mice are metabolically unhealthy obese and short-lived. Line-specific patterns of genetic invariability are in accordance with observed phenotypic traits. Titan mice also show modifications in the liver transcriptome, p2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 May2026-05-31T21:00:32.185Z2025-04-04T21:43:33.878ZS-EPMC90650753550519210.1038/s42003-022-03339-3