title: Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone inhibits allergic airway inflammation.
abstract: Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a neuropeptide controlling melanogenesis in pigmentary cells. In addition, its potent immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive activity has been recently described in cutaneous inflammatory disorders. Whether alpha-MSH is also produced in the lung and might play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung conditions, including allergic bronchial asthma, is unknown. Production and functional role of alpha-MSH were investigated in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. alpha-MSH production was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Although aerosol challenges stimulate alpha-MSH production in nonsensitized mice, this rapid and marked stimulation was absent in allergic animals. Treatment of allergic mice with alpha-MSH resulted in suppression of airway inflammation. These effects were mediated via IL-10 production, because IL-10 knockout mice were resistant to alpha-MSH treatment. This study provides evidence for a novel function of alpha-MSH linking neuroimmune functions in allergic airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Raap
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brzoska
authors.forename: Sirius
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sohl
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Päth
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Emmel
authors.forename: Udo
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Herz
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luger
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Renz
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000235:genetics; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016753:Interleukin-10; D000521:alpha-MSH; D010047:Ovalbumin