Leptin Signaling: A Key Pathway in Immune Responses

Title: Leptin Signaling: A Key Pathway in Immune Responses

Volume: 4 Issue: 1

Author(s): Claudio Procaccini, Elaine V. Lourenço, Giuseppe Matarese and Antonio La Cava

Affiliation:

Abstract: Leptin is a hormone whose central role is to regulate endocrine functions and to control energy expenditure. After the discovery that leptin can also have pro-inflammatory effects, several studies have tried to address - at the molecular level - the pathways involved in leptin-induced modulation of the immune functions in normal and pathologic conditions. The signaling events influenced by leptin after its binding to the leptin receptor have been under scrutiny in the past few years, and considerable experimental work has elucidated the consequences of leptin effects on immune cells. This review examines the biochemistry, function and regulation of leptin signaling in view of possible intervention on this molecule for a better management and therapy of immune-mediated diseases.

Cite this article as:

Procaccini Claudio, Lourenço V. Elaine, Matarese Giuseppe and Cava La Antonio, Leptin Signaling: A Key Pathway in Immune Responses, Current Signal Transduction Therapy 2009; 4 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157436209787048711