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DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837407
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York
Die Stellung von Leptin im Immunsystem - Verbindung von Endokrinologie und Immunologie
The role of leptin in the immune system: a unique link between the endocrine and the immune systemPublication History
eingereicht: 20.9.2004
akzeptiert: 21.11.2004
Publication Date:
27 January 2005 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/dmw/200505/lookinside/thumbnails/10.1055-s-2005-837407-1.jpg)
Zusammenfassung
Leptin wurde primär als Hormon beschrieben, welches eine kritische Funktion in der Regulation der Nahrungsaufnahme sowie Adaption an Nahrungszustände, wie beispielsweise Fasten einnimmt. In der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit soll auf eine neue Rolle von Leptin eingegangen werden: die Position von Leptin im Immunsystem. Es werden hierbei die strukturellen Besonderheiten von Leptin beschrieben, die bereits auf eine Mediatorfunktion im Immunsystem hindeuten, sowie auf die Leptin-abhängigen Veränderungen einzelner Zellpopulationen des Immunsystems. Unterstützt werden diese in vitro-Daten durch in vivo-Untersuchungen in verschiedenen Tiermodellen sowie deskriptiven und funktionellen Daten von Leptin-defizienten Menschen, die ausführlich dargelegt sind. Leptin in seiner chimären Funktion als Hormon und Zytokin/Adipokin stellt somit exemplarisch eine Verbindung zwischen der Immunologie und Endokrinologie dar, welche neue pathophysiologische Zusammenhänge und damit therapeutische Optionen eröffnet.
Summary
Leptin is primarily known as a hormone regulating food intake and the adjustment to a distinct state of nutrition. In the present work a new function of leptin will be described, namely the role of leptin in the immune system. Structural characteristics of leptin and the leptin receptor already suggest an immune modulatory function. The effect of leptin on the various populations of immune cells in vitro will be described. These data are supported by findings obtained in in vivo animal models as well as descriptive and functional data from leptin-deficient humans which will be outlined in detail. In conclusion, the chimeric function of leptin as hormone and a cytokine/adipokine represents a unique link between the immune and the endocrine system thus opening a new field of research and therapeutic options.
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Dr. Britta Siegmund
Medizinische Klinik I, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin
Hindenburgdamm 30
12200 Berlin
Phone: 030/84452495
Fax: 030/84454481
Email: britta.siegmund@charite.de