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Human immune cells express ppMCH mRNA and functional MCHR1 receptor
Author(s) -
Verlaet Myriam,
Adamantidis Antoine,
Coumans Bernard,
Chanas Grazyna,
Zorzi Willy,
Heinen Ernst,
Grisar Thierry,
Lakaye Bernard
Publication year - 2002
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/s0014-5793(02)03232-5
Subject(s) - immune system , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , melanin concentrating hormone , receptor , in vitro , biology , messenger rna , microbiology and biotechnology , endocrinology , immunology , gene , biochemistry , neuropeptide
Melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) is highly expressed in the brain and modulates feeding behavior. It is also expressed in some peripheral tissues where its role remains unknown. We have investigated MCH function in human and mouse immune cells. RT‐PCR analysis revealed a low expression of prepro‐MCH and MCH receptor 1 (MCHR1) but not of MCHR2 transcript in tissular and peripheral blood immune cells. FACS and in vitro assay studies demonstrated that MCHR1 receptor expression on most cell types can trigger, in the presence of MCH, cAMP synthesis and calcium mobilization in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, MCH treatment decreases the CD3‐stimulated PBMC proliferation in vitro. Accordingly, our data indicate for the first time that MCH and MCHR1 may exert immunomodulatory functions.