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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
11:37
Measurement of Cellular Chemotaxis with ECIS/Taxis
Published on: April 1, 2012
Leptin has a priming effect on eotaxin-induced human eosinophil chemotaxis
Hikari Kato1, Shigeharu Ueki, Rie Kamada
1Department of Infection, Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan.
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology
|February 25, 2011
Summary
Leptin, a hormone linked to obesity, directly and indirectly influences eosinophil movement, potentially worsening allergic inflammation. This finding suggests leptin plays a role in allergic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Tissue eosinophilia is a key feature of allergic diseases and Th2 immune responses, such as asthma.
- Obesity-associated adipose tissue inflammation, driven by adipokines like leptin, may exacerbate allergic reactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct and indirect effects of leptin on eosinophil chemotaxis and intracellular signaling pathways.
Main Methods:
- Purification of peripheral blood eosinophils.
- In vitro assessment of leptin's impact on eosinophil migration.
- Analysis of intracellular signaling (ERK1/2, p38, calcium mobilization) in response to leptin.
Main Results:
- High leptin concentrations induced eosinophil chemotaxis and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK.
- Physiological leptin concentrations amplified eosinophil chemotaxis to eotaxin, associated with increased calcium mobilization.
- Leptin's effects on chemotaxis were independent of calcium mobilization at high concentrations but involved it at physiological levels.
Conclusions:
- Leptin exerts both direct and indirect control over eosinophil chemotaxis and intracellular signaling.
- Leptin may contribute to sustained eosinophil accumulation at allergic inflammatory sites in physiological conditions.
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