Leptin inhibits stress-induced apoptosis of T lymphocytes.
Leptin, which is secreted by adipocytes, the placenta and the stomach, not only controls appetite through leptin receptors in the hypothalamus but also regulates cell-mediated immunity. In this study we have demonstrated that continuous injection of leptin prevents the reduction in lymphocyte numbers normally observed in fasted and steroid-injected mice. Consistent with leptin-induced protection, we observed up-regulation of the bcl-xL gene as a result of signal transduction via leptin receptors on lymphocytes. We suggest that leptin might contribute to the recovery of immune suppression in malnourished mice by inhibiting lymphocyte apoptosis.
Fujita
Y
Y
Department of Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. s75@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Murakami
M
M
Ogawa
Y
Y
Masuzaki
H
H
Tanaka
M
M
Ozaki
S
S
Nakao
K
K
Mimori
T
T
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006825:Hybridomas; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D020738:Leptin / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051020:bcl-X Protein
C494812:Bcl2l1 protein, mouse; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D020738:Leptin; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; D051020:bcl-X Protein; C515447:leptin receptor, mouse; D006854:Hydrocortisone