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Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental Jan 2015The cloning of leptin in 1994 was an important milestone in obesity research. In those days obesity was stigmatized as a condition caused by lack of character and... (Review)
Review
The cloning of leptin in 1994 was an important milestone in obesity research. In those days obesity was stigmatized as a condition caused by lack of character and self-control. Mutations in either leptin or its receptor were the first single gene mutations found to cause morbid obesity, and it is now appreciated that obesity is caused by a dysregulation of central neuronal circuits. From the first discovery of the leptin deficient obese mouse (ob/ob), to the cloning of leptin (ob aka lep) and leptin receptor (db aka lepr) genes, much has been learned about leptin and its action in the central nervous system. The initial high hopes that leptin would cure obesity were quickly dampened by the discovery that most obese humans have increased leptin levels and develop leptin resistance. Nevertheless, leptin target sites in the brain represent an excellent blueprint for distinct neuronal circuits that control energy homeostasis. A better understanding of the regulation and interconnection of these circuits will further guide and improve the development of safe and effective interventions to treat obesity. This review will highlight our current knowledge about the hormone leptin, its signaling pathways and its central actions to mediate distinct physiological functions.
Topics: Animals; Central Nervous System; Humans; Leptin; Mutation; Receptors, Leptin; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 25305050
DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2014.09.010 -
Developmental Cell Jul 2021In mammals, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) engage in hematopoiesis throughout adult life within the bone marrow, where they produce the mature cells necessary to... (Review)
Review
In mammals, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) engage in hematopoiesis throughout adult life within the bone marrow, where they produce the mature cells necessary to maintain blood cell counts and immune function. In the bone marrow and spleen, HSCs are sustained in perivascular niches (microenvironments) associated with sinusoidal blood vessels-specialized veins found only in hematopoietic tissues. Endothelial cells and perivascular leptin receptor stromal cells produce the known factors required to maintain HSCs and many restricted progenitors in the bone marrow. Various other cells synthesize factors that maintain other restricted progenitors or modulate HSC or niche function. Recent studies identified new markers that resolve some of the heterogeneity among stromal cells and refine the localization of restricted progenitor niches. Other recent studies identified ways in which niches regulate HSC function and hematopoiesis beyond growth factors. We summarize the current understanding of hematopoietic niches, review recent progress, and identify important unresolved questions.
Topics: Blood Vessels; Bone Marrow; Endothelial Cells; Hematopoiesis; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Receptors, Leptin; Spleen; Stem Cell Niche; Stem Cells
PubMed: 34146467
DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.05.018 -
Nature Mar 2021Stromal cells in adult bone marrow that express leptin receptor (LEPR) are a critical source of growth factors, including stem cell factor (SCF), for the maintenance of...
Stromal cells in adult bone marrow that express leptin receptor (LEPR) are a critical source of growth factors, including stem cell factor (SCF), for the maintenance of haematopoietic stem cells and early restricted progenitors. LEPR cells are heterogeneous, including skeletal stem cells and osteogenic and adipogenic progenitors, although few markers have been available to distinguish these subsets or to compare their functions. Here we show that expression of an osteogenic growth factor, osteolectin, distinguishes peri-arteriolar LEPR cells poised to undergo osteogenesis from peri-sinusoidal LEPR cells poised to undergo adipogenesis (but retaining osteogenic potential). Peri-arteriolar LEPRosteolectin cells are rapidly dividing, short-lived osteogenic progenitors that increase in number after fracture and are depleted during ageing. Deletion of Scf from adult osteolectin cells did not affect the maintenance of haematopoietic stem cells or most restricted progenitors but depleted common lymphoid progenitors, impairing lymphopoiesis, bacterial clearance, and survival after acute bacterial infection. Peri-arteriolar osteolectin cell maintenance required mechanical stimulation. Voluntary running increased, whereas hindlimb unloading decreased, the frequencies of peri-arteriolar osteolectin cells and common lymphoid progenitors. Deletion of the mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1 from osteolectin cells depleted osteolectin cells and common lymphoid progenitors. These results show that a peri-arteriolar niche for osteogenesis and lymphopoiesis in bone marrow is maintained by mechanical stimulation and depleted during ageing.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Aging; Animals; Arterioles; Bone Marrow Cells; Bone and Bones; Female; Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors; Lectins, C-Type; Lymphocytes; Lymphopoiesis; Male; Mice; Osteogenesis; Receptors, Leptin; Stem Cell Factor; Stem Cell Niche; Stromal Cells
PubMed: 33627868
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03298-5 -
Cell Stem Cell Aug 2014Studies of the identity and physiological function of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been hampered by a lack of markers that permit both prospective...
Studies of the identity and physiological function of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been hampered by a lack of markers that permit both prospective identification and fate mapping in vivo. We found that Leptin Receptor (LepR) is a marker that highly enriches bone marrow MSCs. Approximately 0.3% of bone marrow cells were LepR(+), 10% of which were CFU-Fs, accounting for 94% of bone marrow CFU-Fs. LepR(+) cells formed bone, cartilage, and adipocytes in culture and upon transplantation in vivo. LepR(+) cells were Scf-GFP(+), Cxcl12-DsRed(high), and Nestin-GFP(low), markers which also highly enriched CFU-Fs, but negative for Nestin-CreER and NG2-CreER, markers which were unlikely to be found in CFU-Fs. Fate-mapping showed that LepR(+) cells arose postnatally and gave rise to most bone and adipocytes formed in adult bone marrow, including bone regenerated after irradiation or fracture. LepR(+) cells were quiescent, but they proliferated after injury. Therefore, LepR(+) cells are the major source of bone and adipocytes in adult bone marrow.
Topics: Adipocytes; Animals; Bone Marrow; Bone Marrow Cells; Bone and Bones; Cell Proliferation; Chondrocytes; Flow Cytometry; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Leptin; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Osteoblasts; Osteogenesis; Receptors, Leptin; Regeneration; Stem Cells; Tamoxifen; Transgenes
PubMed: 24953181
DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2014.06.008 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2022Obesity is a growing worldwide health problem, affecting many people due to excessive saturated fat consumption, lack of exercise, or a sedentary lifestyle. Leptin is an... (Review)
Review
Obesity is a growing worldwide health problem, affecting many people due to excessive saturated fat consumption, lack of exercise, or a sedentary lifestyle. Leptin is an adipokine secreted by adipose tissue that increases in obesity and has central actions not only at the hypothalamic level but also in other regions and nuclei of the central nervous system (CNS) such as the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. These regions express the long form of leptin receptor LepRb, which is the unique leptin receptor capable of transmitting complete leptin signaling, and are the first regions to be affected by chronic neurocognitive deficits, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In this review, we discuss different leptin resistance mechanisms that could be implicated in increasing the risk of developing AD, as leptin resistance is frequently associated with obesity, which is a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, and obesity is considered a risk factor for AD. Key players of leptin resistance are SOCS3, PTP1B, and TCPTP whose signalling is related to inflammation and could be worsened in AD. However, some data are controversial, and it is necessary to further investigate the underlying mechanisms of the AD-causing pathological processes and how altered leptin signalling affects such processes.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Humans; Leptin; Obesity; Receptors, Leptin; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35563589
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095202 -
Cell Stem Cell Jun 2016Skeletal stem cells (SSCs) that are the major source of osteoblasts and adipocytes in adult bone marrow express leptin receptor (LepR). To test whether LepR regulates...
Skeletal stem cells (SSCs) that are the major source of osteoblasts and adipocytes in adult bone marrow express leptin receptor (LepR). To test whether LepR regulates SSC function, we conditionally deleted Lepr from limb bone marrow stromal cells, but not from the axial skeleton or hypothalamic neurons, using Prx1-Cre. Prx1-Cre;Lepr(fl/fl) mice exhibited normal body mass and normal hematopoiesis. However, limb bones from Prx1-Cre;Lepr(fl/fl) mice exhibited increased osteogenesis, decreased adipogenesis, and accelerated fracture healing. Leptin increased adipogenesis and reduced osteogenesis by activating Jak2/Stat3 signaling in bone marrow stromal cells. A high-fat diet increased adipogenesis and reduced osteogenesis in limb bones from wild-type mice, but not from Prx1-Cre;Lepr(fl/fl) mice. This reflected local effects of LepR on osteogenesis and adipogenesis by bone marrow stromal cells and systemic effects on bone resorption. Leptin/LepR signaling regulates adipogenesis and osteogenesis by mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow in response to diet and adiposity.
Topics: Adipogenesis; Aging; Animals; Bone Marrow Cells; Cell Differentiation; Diet, High-Fat; Femur; Fracture Healing; Gene Deletion; Janus Kinase 2; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Muscle, Skeletal; Obesity; Osteoblasts; Osteogenesis; Receptors, Leptin; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 27053299
DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.02.015 -
Nature Communications Mar 2023Leptin is an adipocyte-derived protein hormone that promotes satiety and energy homeostasis by activating the leptin receptor (LepR)-STAT3 signaling axis in a subset of...
Leptin is an adipocyte-derived protein hormone that promotes satiety and energy homeostasis by activating the leptin receptor (LepR)-STAT3 signaling axis in a subset of hypothalamic neurons. Leptin signaling is dysregulated in obesity, however, where appetite remains elevated despite high levels of circulating leptin. To gain insight into the mechanism of leptin receptor activation, here we determine the structure of a stabilized leptin-bound LepR signaling complex using single particle cryo-EM. The structure reveals an asymmetric architecture in which a single leptin induces LepR dimerization via two distinct receptor-binding sites. Analysis of the leptin-LepR binding interfaces reveals the molecular basis for human obesity-associated mutations. Structure-based design of leptin variants that destabilize the asymmetric LepR dimer yield both partial and biased agonists that partially suppress STAT3 activation in the presence of wild-type leptin and decouple activation of STAT3 from LepR negative regulators. Together, these results reveal the structural basis for LepR activation and provide insights into the differential plasticity of signaling pathways downstream of LepR.
Topics: Humans; Leptin; Receptors, Leptin; Obesity; Hypothalamus; Neurons
PubMed: 37002197
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37169-6 -
Nature Metabolism Aug 2021Metabolic health depends on the brain's ability to control food intake and nutrient use versus storage, processes that require peripheral signals such as the...
Metabolic health depends on the brain's ability to control food intake and nutrient use versus storage, processes that require peripheral signals such as the adipocyte-derived hormone, leptin, to cross brain barriers and mobilize regulatory circuits. We have previously shown that hypothalamic tanycytes shuttle leptin into the brain to reach target neurons. Here, using multiple complementary models, we show that tanycytes express functional leptin receptor (LepR), respond to leptin by triggering Ca waves and target protein phosphorylation, and that their transcytotic transport of leptin requires the activation of a LepR-EGFR complex by leptin and EGF sequentially. Selective deletion of LepR in tanycytes blocks leptin entry into the brain, inducing not only increased food intake and lipogenesis but also glucose intolerance through attenuated insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells, possibly via altered sympathetic nervous tone. Tanycytic LepRb-EGFR-mediated transport of leptin could thus be crucial to the pathophysiology of diabetes in addition to obesity, with therapeutic implications.
Topics: Brain; Diabetes Mellitus; Energy Metabolism; Ependymoglial Cells; ErbB Receptors; Insulin-Secreting Cells; Leptin; Lipid Metabolism; Pancreas; Phosphorylation; Receptors, Leptin
PubMed: 34341568
DOI: 10.1038/s42255-021-00432-5 -
Science Advances Jul 2022Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are critical mediators of pulmonary inflammation. Given the unique lung tissue environment, whether there exist AM-specific mechanisms that...
Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are critical mediators of pulmonary inflammation. Given the unique lung tissue environment, whether there exist AM-specific mechanisms that control inflammation is not known. Here, we found that among various tissue-resident macrophage populations, AMs specifically expressed , encoding receptor for a key metabolic hormone leptin. AM-intrinsic Lepr signaling attenuated pulmonary inflammation in vivo, manifested as subdued acute lung injury yet compromised host defense against infection. Lepr signaling protected AMs from necroptosis and thus constrained neutrophil recruitment and tissue damage secondary to release of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1α. Mechanistically, Lepr signaling sustained activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in a Ca influx-dependent manner and rewired cellular metabolism, thus preventing excessive lipid droplet formation and overloaded metabolic stress in a lipid-rich alveolar microenvironment. In conclusion, our results defined AM-expressed Lepr as a metabolic checkpoint of pulmonary inflammation and exemplified a macrophage tissue adaptation strategy for maintenance of immune homeostasis.
Topics: Humans; Inflammation; Leptin; Lung; Macrophages, Alveolar; Pneumonia; Receptors, Leptin
PubMed: 35857512
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo3064 -
Nature Cell Biology Dec 2023The bone marrow contains peripheral nerves that promote haematopoietic regeneration after irradiation or chemotherapy (myeloablation), but little is known about how this...
The bone marrow contains peripheral nerves that promote haematopoietic regeneration after irradiation or chemotherapy (myeloablation), but little is known about how this is regulated. Here we found that nerve growth factor (NGF) produced by leptin receptor-expressing (LepR) stromal cells is required to maintain nerve fibres in adult bone marrow. In nerveless bone marrow, steady-state haematopoiesis was normal but haematopoietic and vascular regeneration were impaired after myeloablation. LepR cells, and the adipocytes they gave rise to, increased NGF production after myeloablation, promoting nerve sprouting in the bone marrow and haematopoietic and vascular regeneration. Nerves promoted regeneration by activating β2 and β3 adrenergic receptor signalling in LepR cells, and potentially in adipocytes, increasing their production of multiple haematopoietic and vascular regeneration growth factors. Peripheral nerves and LepR cells thus promote bone marrow regeneration through a reciprocal relationship in which LepR cells sustain nerves by synthesizing NGF and nerves increase regeneration by promoting the production of growth factors by LepR cells.
Topics: Bone Marrow; Receptors, Leptin; Bone Marrow Cells; Nerve Growth Factor; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Nerve Regeneration
PubMed: 38012403
DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01284-9