Leptin enhances CC-chemokine ligand expression in cultured murine macrophage

Despite accumulating evidence, the role of leptin in chemokine expression is poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of leptin on CC-chemokine ligands (CCLs), CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5 gene expression in cultured murine macrophage, J774A.1 cells. Expression of all these CCLs mRNA was gradually increased and significant up-regulation was observed for 3–12 h exposure to leptin (1 μM). The phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) was significantly increased for 5–20 min exposure to leptin, and it was localized in leptin receptor-positive macrophage. Pretreatment with AG490 (100 μM), a janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor, significantly suppressed leptin-induced pSTAT3 increases and the up-regulation of CCLs mRNA expression. In conclusion, leptin enhances CCLs expression in cultured murine macrophage, through activation of a JAK2–STAT3 pathway. Therefore, a new paradigm of leptin-mediated chemokine expression may lead to the clarification of complex immune systems in future.