Deficient leptin signaling ameliorates systemic lupus erythematosus lesions in MRL/Mp-Fas lpr mice.

Leptin is secreted by adipocytes, the placenta, and the stomach. It not only controls appetite through leptin receptors in the hypothalamus, it also regulates immunity. In the current study, we produced leptin-deficient MRL/Mp-Faslpr mice to investigate the potential role of leptin in autoimmunity. C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice were backcrossed with MRL/Mp-Faslpr mice, which develop human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)-like lesions. The effects of leptin deficiency on various SLE-like manifestations were investigated in MRL/Mp-Faslpr mice. The regulatory T cell population in the spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry, and the effects of leptin on regulatory T cells and Th17 cells were evaluated in vitro. Compared with leptin-producing MRL/Mp-Faslpr mice, leptin-deficient MRL/Mp-Faslpr mice showed less marked splenomegaly and a particularly low population of CD3+CD4−CD8−B220+ T cells (lpr cells). Their serum concentrations of Abs to dsDNA were lower, and renal histological changes at age 20 wk were ameliorated. Regulatory T cells were increased in the spleens of leptin-deficient MRL/Mp-Faslpr mice. Leptin suppressed regulatory T cells and enhanced Th17 cells in vitro. In conclusion, blockade of leptin signaling may be of therapeutic benefit in patients with SLE and other autoimmune diseases.