Obesity and Eosinophilic Inflammation: Does Leptin Play a Role

Abstract

It has been pointed out that obesity is a risk factor for, and is involved in the exacerbation of asthma. Mounting evidence about adipose tissue-derived proteins (adipokines) gave rise to the current understanding of obesity as a systemic inflammatory disorder. In this review, we summarized the involvement of leptin, focusing on eosinophil functions. Several studies have indicated that leptin can restrain eosinophil apoptosis, enhance migration, increase adhesion molecules and induce cytokine production. Since leptin also acts on a variety of immune cells related to allergic response, increased leptin in obese individuals potentially explains the mechanism by which obesity leads to an exacerbation of asthma. Further studies targeting adipokines will delineate the association between obesity and eosinophil-associated diseases.

Differing associations of BMI and body fat with asthma and lung function in children

“…It is also well recognized that adipokines for example leptin acts on inflammatory cells including eosinophils. 31 The gender differences that we have demonstrated for both symptoms and disease (wheeze and asthma) and lung function may be the result of both the amount and/or distribution of adipose tissue. When approaching puberty, girls tend to have higher body fat composition than boys for an equivalent BMI.…”

“…For example, truncal distribution of adipose tissue could have a mechanical effect on respiratory physiology as measured by lung function. It is also well recognized that adipokines for example leptin acts on inflammatory cells including eosinophils . The gender differences that we have demonstrated for both symptoms and disease (wheeze and asthma) and lung function may be the result of both the amount and/or distribution of adipose tissue.…”

Adiponectin attenuates human eosinophil adhesion and chemotaxis: implications in allergic inflammation

“…Adipose tissue in obesity has been attracting attention as a contributor to regulating immune reaction since it produces a number of pro-and anti-inflammatory molecules known as adipocytokines [9,10]. The most abundant among them is adiponectin, which accounts for 0.01% of total plasma protein [11].…”

Early menarche is associated with increased risk of asthma: Prospective population-based study of twins

“…Leptin is a permissive factor for the initiation of pubertal events in both boys and girls [30] and leptin receptors are present in airway and lung cells, which proliferate when exposed to leptin [31]. Furthermore, circulating levels of leptin correlate with the amount of body fat and BMI [32]. Therefore, leptin may be a mediating factor for the association between early menarche and asthma, but at present, it is difficult to separate the associations of leptin with early menarche, obesity and asthma.…”