← Explorer/Network

Leptin modulates gene expression in the heart, cardiomyocytes and the adipose tissue thus mitigating LPS-induced damage

Heba Abd Alkhaleq, Ran Kornowski, Maayan Waldman +5 more2021Experimental Cell ResearchJournal Article
10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112647PubMed
CardiovascularHypothalamic-Pituitary
Bacterial Endotoxins

Abstract

Leptin is an adipokine of pleiotropic effects linked to energy metabolism, satiety, the immune response, and cardioprotection. We have recently shown that leptin causally conferred resistance to myocardial infarction-induced damage in transgenic αMUPA mice overexpressing leptin compared to their wild type (WT) ancestral mice FVB/N. Prompted by these findings, we have investigated here if leptin can counteract the inflammatory response triggered after LPS administration in tissues in vivo and in cardiomyocytes in culture. The results have shown that LPS upregulated in vivo and in vitro all genes examined here, both pro-inflammatory and antioxidant, as well as the leptin gene. Pretreating mice with leptin neutralizing antibodies further upregulated the expression of TNFα and IL-1β in the adipose tissue of both mouse types, and in the αMUPA heart. The antibodies also increased the levels of serum markers for cell toxicity in both mouse types. These results indicate that under LPS, leptin actually reduced the levels of these inflammatory-related parameters. In addition, pretreatment with leptin antibodies reduced the levels of HIF-1α and VEGF mRNAs in the heart, indicating that under LPS leptin increased the levels of these mRNAs. In cardiomyocytes, pretreatment with exogenous leptin prior to LPS reduced the expression of both pro-inflammatory genes, enhanced the expression of the antioxidant genes HO-1, SOD2 and HIF-1α, and lowered ROS staining. In addition, results obtained with leptin antibodies and the SMLA leptin antagonist indicated that endogenous and exogenous leptin can inhibit leptin gene expression. Together, these findings have indicated that under LPS, leptin concomitantly downregulated pro-inflammatory genes, upregulated antioxidant genes, and lowered ROS levels. These results suggest that leptin can counteract inflammation in the heart and adipose tissue by modulating gene expression.

Key Biomarkers

Leptin

References (2)

  • Multiple Cytokines and Acute Inflammation Raise Mouse Leptin Levels: Potential Role in Inflammatory AnorexiaThe Journal of Experimental Medicine · 1997
  • Leptin deficiency enhances sensitivity to endotoxin-induced lethalityAmerican Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · 1999

Related Papers

  • Synergistic interaction in simultaneous exposure to Streptomyces californicus and Stachybotrys chartarumEnvironmental Health Perspectives · 2004 · 3 shared tags
  • Comparison of inflammatory and cytotoxic lung responses in mice after intratracheal exposure to spores of two different Stachybotrys chartarum strainsToxicological Sciences · 2004 · 3 shared tags
  • Localization of Satratoxin-G in Stachybotrys chartarum Spores and Spore-Impacted Mouse Lung Using ImmunocytochemistryToxicologic Pathology · 2004 · 3 shared tags
  • Harmful molecular mechanisms in sepsisNature reviews. Immunology · 2008 · 3 shared tags
  • Septic Shock; current pathogenetic concepts from a clinical perspectivePubMed · 2005 · 3 shared tags
  • Correction to “Maitotoxin induces biphasic interleukin-1β secretion and membrane blebbing in murine macrophages”Mol Pharmacol · 2004 · 3 shared tags