Abstract

The hormone leptin is released by adipocytes accordingly to current energy stores to suppress appetite. Apart from this, leptin acts as a proinflammatory cytokine and strongly stimulates inflammation. Immune-modulating properties are partly achieved by affecting T-cell maturation, polarization, and viability. Leptin rises inflammatory cells count, increases proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and impairs regulatory T-lymphocytes differentiation. Leptin secretion and signalization disturbances have recently started to be observed in the context of autoimmunity. In this review, we discuss signaling pathways affected by the satiety hormone, its effect on T-lymphocyte maturation, differentiation and polarization, and relation to other immune-modulating agents. In the end, we highlight the rising evidence connecting hyperleptinemia state which is almost always related to obesity, with autoimmune disorders and take a brief overview of possible mechanisms behind leptin’s potency to induce self-reactivity.

Full Text
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