Alpha-MSH regulates interleukin-10 expression by human keratinocytes.
Normal human keratinocytes (HKC) are able to synthesize alpha-MSH. Because the production of alpha-MSH by HKC is induced significantly by ultraviolet B radiation, the involvement of keratinocyte-derived alpha-MSH in UV-induced immunosuppression has been suggested. The induction of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 in monocytes is a major mechanism in the antiinflammatory actions of alpha-MSH. In the present study, HKC were investigated for their ability to produce IL-10 after alpha-MSH stimulation. HKC were obtained from the skin of human female breast sections and either left untreated or treated with 0.01 or 0.1 microg/ml alpha-MSH for different times. Using RT-PCR, HKC were shown to express IL-10 mRNA even under basal conditions, and treatment with alpha-MSH increased expression. Only minimal concentrations of IL-10 protein were detected in supernatants from the alpha-MSH-stimulated cultures. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of IL-10 expression by cultured HKC after alpha-MSH stimulation. Further studies are needed to determine the biological and therapeutic relevance of these findings.
Department of Dermatology, University Clinic of Navarra, School of Medicine, Pamplona, Spain. predondo@unav.es
P
P
Redondo
J
J
García-Foncillas
I
I
Okroujnov
E
E
Bandrés
D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016753:Interleukin-10; D000521:alpha-MSH