# The role of leptin in autoimmune-associated hypertension

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR · 2021 · $256,799

## Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder characterized by a loss of 
immunological tolerance and the expansion of autoreactive T and B lymphocytes, leading to the 
production of autoantibodies. The immune system dysfunction in SLE leads to downstream chronic 
inflammation and high rates of hypertension, renal injury, and cardiovascular disease. Patients with SLE 
also have alterations in circulating cytokines, including elevated plasma levels of the adipokine leptin. 
Leptin is produced by white adipose tissue and has a prominent role in regulating appetite and energy 
expenditure via its actions in the hypothalamus. However, it also plays a key role in the maintenance and 
development of inflammation, in part through its direct effects on cells of both the innate and adaptive 
immune systems. The central goal of this project is to examine the contribution of leptin mediated 
immune system activation on the pathogenesis of hypertension in SLE. To accomplish this goal, a 
clinically relevant model of SLE, the female NZBWF1 mouse, will be utilized. Similar to patients with SLE, 
the NZBWF1 mouse exhibits hypertension, renal injury, and elevated circulating leptin levels, in addition 
to prominent immune system dysfunction. Work in animal models of autoimmunity strongly implicate leptin 
in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, but the contribution of leptin to the prevalent hypertension 
during SLE, and the mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Thus, specific aim 1 will test the 
hypothesis that elevated leptin during SLE promotes hypertension by stimulating the expansion of 
proinflammatory TH1 and TH17 cells and decreasing TREG cells. Specific aim 2 will test the hypothesis 
that elevated leptin during SLE leads to the development of hypertension by promoting B cell survival and 
the production of autoantibodies. To accomplish these aims, we will administer leptin or block leptin 
signaling, and test the impact on the development of B and T lymphocyte dysfunction and 
autoimmune-associated hypertension. Because leptin acts both centrally (central nervous system) and 
peripherally, we will also examine relative contribution of central and peripheral leptin on immune system 
function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10159926
- **Project number:** 5P20GM104357-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Erin Bassford Taylor
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $256,799
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-09-05 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10159926

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10159926, The role of leptin in autoimmune-associated hypertension (5P20GM104357-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10159926. Licensed CC0.

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