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Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Isolation of Targeted Hypothalamic Neurons for Studies of Hormonal, Metabolic, and Electrical Regulation
Published on: August 4, 2023
Expression of leptin receptor isoforms and effects of leptin on the proliferation and hormonal secretion in human
M T Kristiansen1, L R Clausen, S Nielsen
1Medical Department M (Endocrinology and Diabetes) and Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Objective:
To pursue whether leptin regulates anterior pituitary cells, we studied the ex vivo expression of several isoforms of the leptin receptor (OB-R) as well as the in vitro effects of leptin administration in human pituitary adenomas.
Methods:
OB-R mRNA expression and in vitro response to leptin were studied in 39 pituitary macroadenomas.
Results:
All 4 OB-R subtypes were expressed in most adenomas. The expression was significantly more pronounced in GH-secreting adenomas as compared to non-functioning tumor cells (p < 0.05). Leptin administration in vitro did not significantly influence cell proliferation or the secretion of GH, FSH, LH or alpha-subunit.
Conclusions:
(1) Several isoforms of the OB-R, including the signal transducing full-length receptor, are expressed in most human pituitary adenomas. (2) This expression ex vivo is not associated with significant effects of leptin in vitro.
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