The Mechanism For The Angiogenic Effect Of Leptin

Backgroud: Angiogenesis, the formation and organization of new blood vessels from the preexisting vasculature, contributes to physiological and pathological changes in vascular structure and is tightly controlled by a variety of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. One of the factors that potentially contributes to the development and progression of diabetic vascular alterations is leptin, the product of the obgene. Leptin is a pleiotropic molecule that regulates food intake and metabolic and endocrine responses and plays a regulatory role in hematopoiesis, inflammation, and immunity. In the vasculature, leptin functions as a potent inducer of angiogenesis, where it stimulates endothelial cell (EC) proliferation and cell survival through activation of the endothelial ob receptor. Other important components of angiogenesis include cell invasion and EC migration. However, little is known about mechanisms of leptin-induced angiogenic effect of leptin.Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectes of leptin on HUVECs proliferation, migration and capillary tubers formation and to determine whether the angiogenic effect of leptin is...