PACAP in immunity and inflammation.
The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide belonging to the VIP/secretin/glucagon family of peptides, produced by the lymphoid cells, which exerts a wide spectrum of immunological functions controlling the homeostasis of immune system through different receptors expressed in various immunocompetent cells. In the last decade, PACAP has been clearly identified as a potent anti-inflammatory factor that exerts its function by regulating the production of both anti- and proinflammatory mediators. In this sense, PACAP prevents death by septic shock, an acute inflammatory disease with a high mortality. In addition, PACAP regulates the expression of costimulatory molecules, inasmuch as this related to the modulation in the shift from Th1 towards Th2 differentiation. We recently reported that PACAP prevents the deleterious effects of arthritis by downregulating both inflammatory and autoimmune components of the disease. Therefore, PACAP and analogs have been proposed as very promising candidates, alternative to other existing treatments, for treating acute and chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as septic shock, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, or autoimmune diabetes.
Delgado
Mario
M
Department of Cell Biology, School of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid 28040, Spain. mdelgado@ipb.csic.es
Abad
Catalina
C
Martinez
Cartmen
C
Juarranz
M Guillermo
MG
Leceta
Javier
J
Ganea
Doina
D
Gomariz
Rosa P
RP
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008954:Models, Biological; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology*; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
C495401:ADCYAP1 protein, human; D009479:Neuropeptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide