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Prostaglandin production by melanocytic cells and the effect of α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone
Author(s) -
Nicolaou Anna,
Estdale Sian E,
Tsatmali Marina,
Herrero Daniel Pascual,
Thody Anthony J
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.06.041
Subject(s) - hacat , melanocyte stimulating hormone , melanocyte , prostaglandin e2 , cytokine , prostaglandin e , prostaglandin , endocrinology , cell culture , cyclooxygenase , tumor necrosis factor alpha , chemistry , medicine , keratinocyte , microbiology and biotechnology , hormone , melanoma , biology , cancer research , enzyme , biochemistry , genetics
Prostaglandins are potent mediators of the inflammatory response and are also involved in cancer development. In this study, we show that human melanocytes and FM55 melanoma cells express cyclooxygenase‐1 and ‐2 (COX‐1 and ‐2) and thus have the capability to produce prostaglandins. The FM55 cells produced predominantly PGE 2 and PGF 2α , whereas the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line produced mainly PGE 2 . The anti‐inflammatory peptide, α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), reduced prostaglandin production in FM55 and HaCaT cells and reversed the effect of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α in the former. These results indicate that melanocytes produce prostaglandins and that α‐MSH, by inhibiting this response, may play an important role in regulating inflammatory responses in the skin.