Stimulation of the recruitment of epidermal Langerhans cells by splenopentin.
Splenopentin (SP-5: Arg-Lys-Glu-Val-Tyr), a pentapeptide corresponding to the residues 32-36 of the splenic hormone splenin, increases dose-dependently the number of bone marrow colonies (M and GM colonies). Therefore, we tested the stimulatory effect of SP-5 on the recruitment of epidermal Langerhans cells in skin deprived of these cells. A high dose of cyclophosphamide or dexamethasone led to a drastic decrease of LC density in murine skin with slow and incomplete restoration. SP-5 accelerated Langerhans cell recruitment and led to pretreatment levels of Langerhans cell density in the skin. These results indicate that SP-5 may possibly be used to treat disorders (e.g., HIV infection) where impaired Langerhans cell density and function can lead to secondary cutaneous infections.
Gruner
S
S
Department of Dermatology (Charité Hospital) Humboldt University, Berlin, GDR.
Diezel
W
W
Strunk
D
D
Zwirner
A
A
Sönnichsen
N
N
Anhalt
G J
GJ
D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013946:Thymopoietins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*
D010446:Peptide Fragments; D013946:Thymopoietins; D013951:Thymus Hormones; C041898:splenopentin; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003520:Cyclophosphamide