Leptin: Its role in hematopoiesis and bone formation

The importance of the leptin pathway is well documented in obesity, diabete s, and reproductive dysfunction, New evidence demonstrates unexpected roles for leptin and its receptor in the bone marrow, the complex organ responsi ble for hematopoiesis, immune response, and osteogenesis. In vitro and in v ivo data from rodent and human studies demonstrate that leptin directly con tributes to red blood cell production, macrophage activity, the T-cell resp onse, and bone formation, These findings suggest that assessment of leptin and its receptor will have clinical application in the evaluation of patien ts presenting with sepsis, immunosuppression, anemia, and osteoporosis.