Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Leptin is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and excess leptin in obesity may induce autoimmune disease. The suppressors of cytokine signalling (SOCS) are negative regulators of cytokine signalling and therefore a target for therapy. SOCS3 modulates leptin actions but there is no data regarding other SOCS proteins and leptin signalling.Aim: To develop a bioassay and examine the actions of SOCS proteins on leptin signalling.M...

Introduction: Leptin modulates immune activation in relation to nutritional state and there is gender difference in body composition and the immune response. Leptin induces the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha, from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We hypothesised that estrogen may modulate the immune actions of leptin. Aim: To test the effect of estrogen on leptin signalling and leptin-induced TNF-alpha production. Materials and Meth...

Introduction: Identifying leptin agonists and antagonists requires a reliable bioassay responsive to physiological levels of leptin. The leptin receptor exists in multiple isoforms but Ob-Rb, the full length receptor, mediates the biological actions of leptin and its predominant signalling pathway is through STAT3. We report the development of a bioassay based on a STAT3 firefly luciferase reporter. Materials and Methods: HEK 293 cells were transfected with varying amounts of ...