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Modulation by leptin of proliferation and apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells

International Journal of Obesity volume 26, pages 577–580 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

AIM: Plasma leptin concentrations not only correlate with body fat mass, but also with the degree of hypertensive retinopathy. The present study was designed to further examine, whether leptin's proliferative, proangiogenic activity relates to a yet uncovered anti-apoptotic effect.

RESULTS: Leptin (10–50 nmol/l) concentration-dependently reduced apoptosis in HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells), HAVECs (human adult vein endothelial cells) and HMECs (human microvascular endothelial cells) by 20% (P≤0.05). These findings were supported by increased expression of the apoptosis inhibitor bcl-2 (+55%, P≤0.05) as well as by differential modulation of the respective cell cycle checkpoint genes/proteins p53 (−20%, P≤0.01), p21WAF-1/Cip1 (−23%, P≤0.05) and the Retinoblastoma protein (+123%, P≤0.01).

CONCLUSION: bcl-2 dependent anti-apoptotic action might contribute to leptin's proangiogenic activity and thereby promote the development of vascular proliferative disease in obesity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine III, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    M Artwohl, M Roden, A Freudenthaler, W Waldhäusl & SM Baumgartner-Parzer

  2. Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    T Hölzenbein

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  1. M Artwohl
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  2. M Roden
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  3. T Hölzenbein
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  4. A Freudenthaler
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  5. W Waldhäusl
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  6. SM Baumgartner-Parzer
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Correspondence to SM Baumgartner-Parzer.

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Artwohl, M., Roden, M., Hölzenbein, T. et al. Modulation by leptin of proliferation and apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells. Int J Obes 26, 577–580 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801947

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