title: CRH inhibits NF-kappa B signaling in human melanocytes.
abstract: Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), a messenger of stress at the central level, is expressed in the epidermis where it operates within local equivalent of hypothalamo-pituitary axis. CRH inhibits NF-kappaB activity in human immortalized epidermal (PIG1) melanocytes. In melanocytes CRH stimulates pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) peptide production. Knockdown of POMC levels by transfecting cells with antisense oligonucleotides blocks the effect of CRH on NF-kappaB signaling indicating that the above inhibition is indirect, e.g. through activation of POMC. We suggest that induction of POMC by CRH serves as a feedback mechanism to self-restrict inflammatory response in the skin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue #525, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
authors.forename: Blazej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zbytek
authors.forename: Lawrence M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pfeffer
authors.forename: Andrzej T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Slominski
mesh_terms: D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone