Competitive inhibition of leptin signaling results in amelioration of liver fibrosis through modulation of stellate cell function

Eran Elinav*, Mohammad Ali, Rafi Bruck, Eli Brazowski, Adam Phillips, Yami Shapira, Meirav Katz, Gila Solomon, Zamir Halpern, Arieh Gertler

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Leptin signaling is involved in T-cell polarization and is required for profibrotic function of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Leptin-deficient ob/ob mice do not develop liver fibrosis despite the presence of severe long-standing steatohepatitis. Here, we blocked leptin signaling with our recently generated mouse leptin antagonist (MLA), and examined the effects on chronic liver fibrosis in vivo using the chronic thioacetamide (TAA) fibrosis model, and in vitro using freshly-isolated primary HSCs. In the chronic TAA fibrosis model, leptin administration was associated with significantly enhanced liver disease and a 100% 5-week to 8-week mortality rate, while administration or coadministration of MLA markedly improved survival, attenuated liver fibrosis, and reduced interferon γ (IFN-γ) levels. No significant changes in weight, serum cholesterol, or triglycerides were noted. In vitro administration of rat leptin antagonist (RLA), either alone or with leptin, to rat primary HSCs reduced leptin-stimulated effects such as increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and activation of α1 procollagen promoter. Conclusion: Inhibition of leptin-enhanced hepatic fibrosis may hold promise as a future antifibrotic therapeutic modality.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)278-286
Number of pages9
JournalHepatology
Volume49
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

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