Unraveling the multiple roles of leptin in inflammation and autoimmunity

Initially described as an antiobesity hormone, leptin has subsequently been shown also to influence hematopoiesis, thermogenesis, reproduction, angiogenesis, and immune homeostasis. Leptin links nutritional status and proinflammatory T helper 1 immune responses, and the decrease in leptin plasma concentration during food deprivation leads to impaired immune function. This review focuses on the multiple roles of leptin in chronic inflammation and autoimmunity and suggests new possible therapeutic implications for leptin modulators. Similar content being viewed by others Abbreviations - EAE : - Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis - IFN : - Interferon - IL : - Interleukin - Th : - T helper - TNF : - Tumor necrosis factor

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This work is partly supported by Fondazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla and Comitato Trenta Ore per la Vita (Mediaset). A.L.C. is supported by the Arthritis National Research Foundation, the Lupus Foundation of America, and the California Community Foundation. This work is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Antonino Di Tuoro. Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Rights and permissions About this article Cite this article La Cava, A., Alviggi, C. & Matarese, G. Unraveling the multiple roles of leptin in inflammation and autoimmunity. J Mol Med 82, 4–11 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-003-0492-1 Received: Accepted: Published: Issue date: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-003-0492-1