Leptin receptor expression in blood mononuclear cells of lactating women is associated with infant body weight: Potential role as a molecular biomarker

MALPELI, AGUSTINA; FASANO, MARÍA VICTORIA; SALA, MARISA; OBREGÓN, PABLO; CASADO, CARLA; MENDEZ, IGNACIO; FOTIA, LUCRECIA; CASTROGIOVANNI, DANIEL; VAREA, ANA; DISALVO, LILIANA; TOURNIER, ANDREA; MAZZIOTA, LUCÍA; ROCHA, DANIELA; KRUGER, ANA LUZ; ORELLANO, LAURA; ANDREOLI, MARÍA F.

Pediatric Obesity

Wiley

Año: 2023

2047-6302

SummaryBackground:Molecular biomarkers of maternal leptin resistance associated withinfant weight are needed.Objectives:To evaluate gene expression of leptin receptor (LEPR), suppressor of cyto-kine signalling 3 (SOCS3) and insulin receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of lactating women and their relationship with infant body weight and adiposity.Methods:At day 10 postpartum, maternal gene expression in PBMCs as well as lep-tin and insulin concentrations in plasma and milk were assessed (n=68). Infantweight and BMIz-scores, skinfolds and arm circumference were obtained at 10 daysand/or at 3 months old.Results:In mothers with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity (OW/OB), LEPRexpression was reduced (p=0.013) whereas plasma and milk leptin and milk insulinconcentrations were elevated. LEPR expression was positively related with infantweightz-score (Beta (95% CI): 0.40 (0.17, 0.63),p=0.001) but not with leptin con-centrations. SOCS3 expression was positively related with infant weightz-score(Beta (95% CI): 0.28 (0.04, 0.51),p=0.024) and arm circumference (Beta (95% CI):0.57 (0.32, 0.82),p< 0.001). Relationships remained significant after adjusting formaternal and infant confounders.Conclusions:LEPR and SOCS3 gene expression in PBMCs are novel maternal molec-ular biomarkers that reflect leptin resistance and are associated with infant bodyweight and adiposity