title: Immunomodulatory effects of alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).
abstract: The immunomodulatory effects of phagocytic cells in common carp Cyprinus carpio L., by alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) was analyzed in vitro. Carp head kidney leucocytes were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 0.05, 0.1, 1 and 10 nM alpha-MSH and the production of superoxide anion was measured via the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) in vitro. Macrophages incubated with alpha-MSH showed an increase in the production of superoxide anion in comparison to control macrophages cultured without hormone. Phagocytic cells treated with alpha-MSH also displayed increased phagocytosis. Furthermore, carp lymphocytes treated with alpha-MSH increased the mitogenic responses to phytohaemoagglutinin (PHA-P). These results show that alpha-MSH directly influences fish immune responses.
authors.affiliation: United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Kagoshima University, Korimoto 1-21-24, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan.
authors.forename: Hironobu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanuki
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Akiyoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Takahashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002347:Carps / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides; D000521:alpha-MSH