Leptin is known to affect the morphology of glial cells. A new study demonstrates that this hormone also influences the expression of glutamate and glucose transporters in these cells. In mice, elevated body weight increased the expression of these transporters in astrocytes. Therefore, the metabolic state alters hypothalamic glial cell activity and the researchers hypothesize that metabolic control by astrocytes is likely to be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Fuente-Martin, E. et al. Leptin regulates glutamate and glucose transporters in hypothalamic astrocytes. J. Clin. Invest. doi:10.1172/jci164102
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Leptin influences transporter expression in astrocytes. Nat Rev Endocrinol 9, 4 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.213
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2012.213