Leptin was originally identified as an adipocyte-derived cytokine with a key role in the regulation of the energy balance. Subsequent research revealed that leptins biological action is not restricted to its effects on appetite and food intake, but instead has a much more pleiotropic character. There is now ample evidence that leptin has important functions in reproduction, hematopoiesis, HPA-axis endocrinology and angiogenesis. In this review we have focused on the effects of leptin in the antigen-specific immunity and in the inflammatory effector system.
Keywords: leptin receptor, CRH-knockout, lymphocytes, DTH reaction, pro-inflammatory mediators, Septic Shock