title: Cytokine production by a human microglial cell line: effects of beta-amyloid and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
abstract: Senile plaques in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) are formed by aggregation of beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide. Abeta peptide has been shown to activate microglia and stimulate their production of inflammatory factors, such as cytokines. In the AD brain, the continued presence of amyloid plaques may keep microglia persistently activated, leading to chronic inflammation in the CNS. It is well established that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) gives rise to anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic effects. The biological activities of alpha-MSH are mediated by one or more of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) subtypes, i.e. MCR1 - MCR5. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of alpha-MSH alone and on Abeta-activated microglial cells with regard to the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), and to determine which receptor subtype mediates the effects of alpha-MSH. The human microglial cell line, CHME3, was incubated for 24 h with freshly dissolved Abeta(1-40), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and/or alpha-MSH. Freshly dissolved Abeta(1-40) (5-60 microM) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability, along with a dose-dependent increase in IL-6 release. Neither IFN-gamma nor alpha-MSH affected the Abeta-induced secretion of IL-6, but resulted in a dose-dependent increase in basal IL-6 release. Agouti, the endogenous antagonist of MCR1 and 4, further increased the alpha-MSH-induced secretion of IL-6. RT-PCR showed the expression of MCR1, MCR3, MCR4 and MCR5 mRNA. The combined data suggest that the effect of alpha-MSH in increasing IL-6 release from the human microglial cell line is mediated by MCR3 or MCR5.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Neurotec Department, Division of Experimental Geriatrics, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Novum, SE-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindberg
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hjorth
authors.forename: Claes
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Winblad
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schultzberg
mesh_terms: D054366:Agouti Signaling Protein; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000494:pharmacology; D017628:Microglia / Q000187:drug effects*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D054366:Agouti Signaling Protein; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016207:Cytokines; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40); D000521:alpha-MSH; D007371:Interferon-gamma