Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced CHOP activation mediates the down-regulation of leptin in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells treated with the oxysterol 27-hydroxycholesterol

► The cholesterol metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol induces endoplasmic reticulum stress. ► Endoplasmic reticulum stress activates CHOP and down-regulates C/EBPα expression. ► Down-regulation of C/EBPα negatively regulates the adipocytokine leptin. ► siRNA to CHOP and C/EBPα over-expression preclude down-regulation of leptin.