Leptin: a potential regulator of polymorphonuclear neutrophil bactericidalaction?

It is well known that leptin, the ob gene product, is involved in the regul ation of food intake and thermogenesis. Recent studies also demonstrate tha t leptin may be able to modulate functions of cells involved in nonspecific immune response such as phagocytosis and secretion of cytokines by macroph ages. This and the prominent implication of polymorphonuclear neutrophils ( PMNs) in infectious response suggested a possible role of leptin as a modul ator of PMN functions. We detected a leptin receptor on the PMN membrane by immunocytochemistry with an anti-leptin receptor, Using chemiluminescence we then demonstrated that leptin enhances oxidative species production by s timulated PMNs. These results show for the first time that a functional lep tin receptor is present on PMNs and that leptin may be able to influence th eir oxidative capacity.