Anti-inflammatory actions of the neuroimmunomodulator alpha-MSH.
alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is an endogenous neuroimmunomodulatory peptide that inhibits fever and all major forms of experimental inflammation. In humans, concentrations of alpha-MSH are increased at sites of inflammation, and in plasma in inflammatory disorders and after infection of endotoxin. The effects of this 'anti-cytokine' peptide are mediated through alpha-MSH receptors and regulatory circuits in macrophages and neutrophils, and through descending neural anti-inflammatory pathways that originate from alpha-MSH receptors on neurons within the brain.
Lipton
J M
JM
Dept of Physiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 75235-9040, USA. LIPTON@UTSW.SWMED.EDU
Catania
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D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000521:alpha-MSH