Can the brain inhibit inflammation generated in the skin? The lesson of gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
The neuro-immuno-cutaneous-endocrine network is not a simple construct featuring organ systems intimately involved in the bridge between body and mind. Mind-body influences are bi-directional and the skin should be considered an active neuroimmunoendocrine interface, where effector molecules of neuropeptides act as common words used in a dynamic dialogue between brain, immune system and skin. Gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH), one of the principal neuroimmunomodulating peptides, seems to exercise some control on the cutaneous inflammatory process, through a central action mediated by descending anti-inflammatory neural pathways and via local direct influence on inflammatory cells infiltrating the dermis, such as monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils. Gamma-MSH down-regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines, while the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 is stimulated by gamma-MSH. Finally, gamma-MSH seems to regulate the expression of surface molecules in immunocompetent cells. Thus, further studies may lead to the use of gamma-MSH as an important anti-inflammatory agent in clinical dermatology.
Lotti
Torello
T
Department of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. tlotti@italway.it
Bianchi
Beatrice
B
Ghersetich
Ilaria
I
Brazzini
Benedetta
B
Hercogova
Jana
J
D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019825:gamma-MSH / Q000502:physiology*
D019825:gamma-MSH