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The Neuroimmunomodulatory Peptide α‐MSH
Author(s) -
ICHIYAMA TAKASHI,
SATO SOICHIRO,
OKADA KUNIYUKI,
CATANIA ANNA,
LIPTON JAMES M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05386.x
Subject(s) - melanocortin , inflammation , proinflammatory cytokine , receptor , melanocortins , melanocortin receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , alpha (finance) , transfection , peptide , chemistry , biology , immunology , biochemistry , medicine , gene , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction
A bstract : Alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), a neuroimmunomodulatory peptide of ancient origin, is known to be involved in the control of host responses. In inflammatory cells, in the periphery and within the central nervous system, α‐MSH modulates the production and action of proinflammatory cytokines. This broad influence occurs via endogenous α‐MSH (melanocortin) receptors. The key to this anti‐inflammatory influence is inhibition of NF‐κB. Indeed α‐MSH inhibits activation of this nuclear factor through preservation of IκBα, which binds to NF‐κB and prevents its migration to the nucleus. Cells transfected with α‐MSH plasmid vector are resistant to challenge with bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The peptide also act on central melanocortin receptors to modulate inflammation in the periphery. In brief, α‐MSH and certain of its fragments such as α‐MSH [11‐13] KPV modulate inflammation via three general actions: direct actions on peripheral host cells; actions on inflammatory cells within the brain to modulate local reactions; and descending neural anti‐inflammatory pathways that control inflammation in peripheral tissues.