Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipocytes. Besides controlling appetite and body
weight, it has been suggested that leptin plays a role in inflammation and hemopoiesis.
In this study we demonstrate that the pro-inflammatory/hemopoietic cytokines, IL-1β,
IL-6, TNF-α, and interferon-γ, significanfly inhibit gene expression and secretion
of leptin by bone marrow adipocytes. These findings are in agreement with the data
recently obtained from non-medullary adipose tissues. Within the bone marrow environment,
leptin regulation by these pleiotropic cytokines could contribute to controlling the
proliferation and differentiation of hemopoietic precursors as well as the maturation
of stromal cells.
Key words
Hemopoiesis - Inflammation -
ob Protein - Hemopoietic Stem Cells - Microenvironment - Osteogenesis
