Lupus Seen to Be Triggered in Mice by Leptin, a Hormone Often Elevated in Patients
Leptin, a hormone produced by fat cells in the body, was seen to actively promote systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in mouse models of the disease, allowing the formation of autoantibodies and changing the activities of immune cells. Patients with lupus have increased levels of leptin, but until now researchers did not know…