Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Experimental Approach to Examine Leptin Signaling in the Carotid Bodies and its Effects on Control of Breathing
Published on: October 25, 2019
Leptin regulation of the immune response and the immunodeficiency of malnutrition
R Faggioni1, K R Feingold, C Grunfeld
1Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, 94121, USA. faggioni@amgen.com
Abstract:
Leptin is a 16 kDa protein mainly produced by adipose tissue in proportion to adipose tissue mass. Originally thought to be a satiety factor, leptin is a pleiotropic molecule. In addition to playing a role in energy regulation, leptin also regulates endocrine and immune functions. Both the structure of leptin and that of its receptor suggest that leptin might be classified as a cytokine. The secondary structure of leptin has similarities to the long-chain helical cytokines family, which includes interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-11, CNTF, and LIF, and the leptin receptor is homologous to the gp-130 signal-transducing subunit of the IL-6-type cytokine receptors. Leptin plays a role in innate and acquired immunity. Leptin levels increase acutely during infection and inflammation, and may represent a protective component of the host response to inflammation. More important, leptin deficiency increases susceptibility to infectious and inflammatory stimuli and is associated with dysregulation of cytokine production. Leptin deficiency also causes a defect in hematopoiesis. Leptin regulates T cells responses, polarizing Th cells toward a Th1 phenotype. Low leptin levels occurring during starvation mediate the neuroendocrine and immune dysfunction of starvation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Regulation of Food Intake
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

