Leptin modulates lymphocytes' adherence to hepatic stellate cells is associated with oxidative status alterations

We investigated leptin effects on lymphocyte interactions with hepatic-stellate-cells (HSCs). Leptin showed pro-fibrotic effects on HSCs with oxidative status imbalance. In co-cultures, leptin activates HSCs and consequently adhered HCV-lymphocytes more than healthy ones. Leptin also increased healthy and HCV lymphocyte proliferations; increased their reactive-oxygen-species; decreased antioxidants (reduced-glutathione) levels while inhibited apoptosis only of HCV-lymphocytes. The leptin-treated HCV-lymphocytes activated HSCs, increase interleukin-4 while decreased their apoptosis. Leptin-receptor-deficient (db-db)-HSCs did not adhere lymphocytes. db/db-lymphocytes however showed fewer adherences to HSCs when compared to WT-counterparts. This study presents immune and oxidative modulatory effects of leptin on lymphocytes and their consequent interaction with HSCs.