Marrodan M, Farez MF, Balbuena Aguirre ME, Correale J. Obesity and the risk of Multiple Sclerosis. The role of Leptin.
Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020;
8:406-424. [PMID:
33369280 PMCID:
PMC7886048 DOI:
10.1002/acn3.51291]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of leptin on different T-cell populations, in order to gain more insight into the link between leptin and obesity.
METHODS
Three hundred and nine RRMS patients and 322 controls participated in a cross-sectional survey, to confirm whether excess weight/obesity in adolescence or early adulthood increased the risk of MS. Serum leptin levels were determined by ELISA. MBP83-102 , and MOG63-87 peptide-specific T cells lines were expanded from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Leptin receptor expression was measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Bcl-2, p-STAT3, pERK1/2, and p27kip1 expression were assayed using ELISA, and apoptosis induction was determined by Annexin V detection. Cytokines were assessed by ELISPOT and ELISA, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) by flow cytometry.
RESULTS
Logistic regression analysis, showed excess weight at age 15, and obesity at 20 years of age increased MS risk (OR = 2.16, P = 0.01 and OR = 3.9, P = 0.01). Leptin levels correlated with BMI in both groups. The addition of Leptin increased autoreactive T-cell proliferation, reduced apoptosis induction, and promoted proinflammatory cytokine secretion. Obese patients produced more proinflammatory cytokines compared to overweight/normal/underweight subjects. Inverse correlation was found between leptin levels and circulating Treg cells (r = -0.97, P < 0.0001). Leptin inhibited Treg proliferation. Effects of leptin on CD4+ CD25- effector T cells were mediated by increased STAT3 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and down modulation of the cell cycle inhibitor P27kip1 . In contrast, leptin effects on Tregs resulted from decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and upregulation of p27kip1 .
INTERPRETATION
Leptin promotes autoreactive T-cell proliferation and proinflammatory cytokine secretion, but inhibits Treg-cell proliferation.
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