Angiotensin II promotes leptin production in cultured human fat cells by an ERK1/2-dependent pathway.

OBJECTIVE

The fat cell hormone leptin is known to be implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Here we tested whether angiotensin (Ang) II is involved in the control of leptin release from human adipocytes.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Leptin secretion was assessed from in vitro differentiated human adipocytes by radioimmunoassay. Western blot experiments were used to test for the signaling pathway activated by Ang II.

RESULTS

Ang II increased leptin secretion into the culture medium in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. At 10(-5) M Ang II, the leptin concentration in the medium was increased at 24 hours by 500+/-222% compared with control cultures (p<0.05). This effect was also seen at the mRNA level. Similar effects were seen after exposure of fat cells to Ang III and Ang IV. Preincubation of fat cells with candesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist, or the extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 inhibitor UO126 completely abolished the effect of Ang II on leptin production. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist troglitazone modestly attenuated leptin release.

DISCUSSION

In conclusion, Ang II and its metabolites stimulated leptin production in human adipocytes. This effect is mediated through an extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2-dependent pathway and includes the angiotensin II type 1 receptor subtype.