title: The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone: a key component of neuroimmunomodulation.
abstract: Recent research indicates that the proopiomelanocortin derivative alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a significant modulator of host reactions including fever and inflammation. Although the precise mechanism of action is still unknown, cytokine antagonism is believed to be responsible for at least a part of its anti-inflammatory/antipyretic influence: alpha-MSH antagonizes pyrogenic and proinflammatory effects of cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interferon gamma (IFN gamma). Although it is clear that the peptide can act within the brain to inhibit fever and peripheral inflammation, an anti-inflammatory effect on a peripheral target was evidenced in animals with transection of the spinal cord. Recent data show that alpha-MSH is significant also in human disorders such as AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, and myocardial infarction. This molecule is believed to be a key factor in neuroimmunomodulation and it may be useful as a therapeutic agent in control of inflammatory reactions.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000521:alpha-MSH