title: Human immune cells express ppMCH mRNA and functional MCHR1 receptor.
abstract: Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is highly expressed in the brain and modulates feeding behavior. It is also expressed in some peripheral tissues where its role remains unknown. We have investigated MCH function in human and mouse immune cells. RT-PCR analysis revealed a low expression of prepro-MCH and MCH receptor 1 (MCHR1) but not of MCHR2 transcript in tissular and peripheral blood immune cells. FACS and in vitro assay studies demonstrated that MCHR1 receptor expression on most cell types can trigger, in the presence of MCH, cAMP synthesis and calcium mobilization in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Moreover, MCH treatment decreases the CD3-stimulated PBMC proliferation in vitro. Accordingly, our data indicate for the first time that MCH and MCHR1 may exert immunomodulatory functions.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Liège, 17 place Delcour, B-4020, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verlaet
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adamantidis
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coumans
authors.forename: Grazyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chanas
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zorzi
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heinen
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grisar
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lakaye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000494:pharmacology; D016466:CHO Cells; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006224:Cricetinae; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology; D007223:Infant; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008543:Melanins / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010907:Pituitary Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017252:CD3 Complex; D007028:Hypothalamic Hormones; D008543:Melanins; D010907:Pituitary Hormones; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011979:Receptors, Pituitary Hormone; C092274:melanin-concentrating hormone receptor; C059991:melanin-concentrating hormone precursors; D005576:Colforsin; C019463:melanin-concentrating hormone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002118:Calcium