Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
10:40
Characterization of Adipocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Secretion Using a CD63-GFP Reporter Mouse Model In Vivo and In Vitro
Published on: December 5, 2025
Immunological functions of leptin and adiponectin
Fortunata Carbone1, Claudia La Rocca, Giuseppe Matarese
1Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR), Napoli 80131, Italy c/o Dipartimento di Biologia e Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, Università di Napoli Federico II, Napoli 80131, Italy.
Biochimie
|July 4, 2012
Summary
Adipose tissue regulates metabolism and immunity. This review details how leptin and adiponectin, key adipokines, influence energy expenditure, metabolism, and immune responses, with secretion varying by adiposity.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Immunology
Background:
- Adipose tissue is crucial for energy storage and metabolic/endocrine regulation.
- Leptin and adiponectin are key adipokines with diverse biological functions.
- Their secretion is inversely related to adiposity, impacting metabolic and immune health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the primary biological activities of leptin and adiponectin.
- To examine their roles in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.
- To explore their contribution to innate and adaptive immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications.
- Analysis of existing research on leptin and adiponectin.
- Synthesis of data on adipokine function and regulation.
Main Results:
- Leptin and adiponectin significantly influence energy expenditure, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism.
- These adipokines play roles in regulating both innate and adaptive immune responses.
- Secretion patterns of leptin and adiponectin are counter-regulated by adiposity levels.
Conclusions:
- Leptin and adiponectin are vital adipokines with multifaceted roles in metabolic and immune regulation.
- Understanding their functions is key to addressing metabolic disorders and immune dysregulation.
- Adiposity significantly impacts the balance of these critical hormones.
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