Leptin, the Ob gene product, has emerged recently as a key regulator of bone mass.
However, the mechanism mediating leptin effect remains controversial. Because the action
of leptin is dependent on its receptors, we analyzed their expression in osteoblast-lineage
primary human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSC). Both the short and long forms of leptin
receptors were detected in hBMSC. Leptin significantly decreased the viability of hBMSC.
This cytotoxic effect was prevented by Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, a pan-caspase …