title: Evaluation of leptin receptor expression on buffalo leukocytes.
abstract: Experimental evidences support a direct role for leptin in immunity. Besides controlling food intake and energy expenditure, leptin was reported to be involved in the regulation of the immune system in ruminants. The aim of this work was to highlight the expression of leptin receptor (LEPR) on Bubalus bubalis immune cells using a multi-approach assessment: flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and gene expression analysis. Flow cytometric analysis of LEPR expression showed that peripheral blood monocytes were the predominant cells expressing LEPR. This result was corroborated by confocal microscopy and RT-PCR analysis. Moreover, among lymphocytes, LEPR was mainly expressed by B lymphocytes and Natural Killer cells. Evidence of LEPR expression on buffalo blood leukocytes showed to be a good indicator of the responsivity of these cells to leptin, so confirming the involvement of leptin in buffalo immune response.
authors.affiliation: Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Animal Production Research Centre, Monterotondo, Italy. Electronic address: giovanna.dematteis@crea.gov.it.
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Matteis
authors.affiliation: Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Animal Production Research Centre, Monterotondo, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grandoni
authors.affiliation: Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Animal Production Research Centre, Monterotondo, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Carmela
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Scatà
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Anatomiche, Istologiche, Medico Legali e dell'Apparato Locomotore-Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catizone
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Cellulari ed Ematologia-Section of Clinical Biochemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reale
authors.affiliation: Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Animal Production Research Centre, Monterotondo, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crisà
authors.affiliation: Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria (CREA), Animal Production Research Centre, Monterotondo, Italy.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moioli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D054411:Receptors, Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054411:Receptors, Leptin
keywords: Buffaloes; Flow cytometry; Leptin receptor; Monocytes