Neurogenic Inflammation and Immunology
The Role of α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone in Cutaneous Biology

https://doi.org/10.1038/jidsymp.1997.17Get rights and content
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α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone is a neuroimmunomodulating peptide that was recently detected in many non-pituitary tissues including the skin. Accordingly, epidermal cells such as keratinocytes and melanocytes (as well as dermal cells such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells), after stimulation with pro-inflammatory cytokines or UV light, synthesize, and release αMSH. The effects of these peptides are mediated through specific melanocortin (MC) receptors that can be detected on immunocompetent and inflammatory cells as well as on keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. In addition to its well known pigment-inducing capacity, aMSH is able to modulate keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Endothelial cell and fibroblast cytokine production and fibroblast collagenase production are also regulated by αMSH. The immunosuppressive capacity of αMSH is mediated mainly through its effects on monocyte and macrophage functions. Accordingly, αMSH downregulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and accessory molecules on antigen-presenting cells. The production of suppressor factors such as IL-10, however, is upregulated by αMSH. The in vivo relevance of these data is documented by the finding that systemic application of αMSH inhibits the induction and the elicitation of murine contact hyper-sensitivity and induces hapten-specific tolerance. These findings indicate that αMSH is part of the mediator network that regulates cutaneous inflammation and hyper-proliferative skin diseases. Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings 2:87–93, 1997

Keywords

inflammation
neuropeptide
neuroimmunomodulation
epidermis

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