Leptin in inflammation and autoimmunity

•As a cytokine, leptin modulates both innate and adaptive immune responses.•Leptin contributes to the generation and maintenance of low-grade inflammation.•Leptin levels are elevated in multiple autoimmune diseases.•Leptin blockade is beneficial in reducing autoimmune reactivity.

After its discovery as a key controller of metabolic function, leptin has been later extensively implicated in additional functions including important modulatory activities on the innate and adaptive immune response. This review analyzes the known implications of leptin in multiple inflammatory conditions, including autoimmune diseases, and how this knowledge could be instrumental in the design of leptin-based manipulation strategies to help restoration of abnormal immune responses.