Leptin activates the JAK/STAT pathway to promote angiogenesis in RF/6A cells in vitro.

AIM: To investigate the effect of leptin on the angiogenesis of RF/6A cells (monkey retinal choroidal endothelial cells) in vitro and test the cellular signaling in the mechanism. METHODS: RF/6A cells were cultured in vitro and randomly divided into four groups: normal control, with leptin at 50, 100, 200 ng/mL for cell counting kit-8 (CCK8). RF/6A cell proliferation and migration were examined by Transwell assays, while RF/6A cell tube formation by Matrigel assay. JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, and p-STAT3 protein expression was measured by Western blotting. Cells were then divided into the following treatment groups: control, 100 ng/mL leptin and AG-490 (100 ng/mL leptin+10 µmol/L AG-490) for examinations of RF/6A cellular behaviour again. Analysis of differences was carried out using one-way ANOVA and least significant difference (LSD). RESULTS: RF/6A cell proliferation, migration and cell tube formation were promoted significantly by leptin in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Western blotting showed that leptin up-regulated p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 expression levels. Treatment with the JAK/STAT pathway inhibitor, AG-490, decreased leptin-induced p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 expression, and inhibited cell proliferation, migration and cell tube formation induced by leptin (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Leptin can promote RF/6A cell angiogenesis in vitro via activation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.