Role of leptin as a link between metabolism and the immune system

A link between body weight, adipose tissue, and immunity has been hypothesized for a long time, but the precise molecular mediators were unknown until the discovery of leptin in 1994, an adipocyte-derived hormone. Leptin is a non-glycosylated hormone of 146 aminoacids [1] with a tertiary structure resembling that of members of the long-chain helical cytokine family (that includes IL-6, IL-11, IL-12, LIF, G-CSF, CNTF, and oncostatin M) [2]. Leptin is synthesized mainly in adipose cells [3] to regulate weight control in a central manner [2].
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Mini review Source Type: research