title: Role of the melanocortin system in inflammation.
abstract: In recent years, scientific interest in melanocortins (MC) has progressively increased due to their wide range of effects and expression on various tissues. Primarily discovered as mediators of skin pigmentation, recent research has shown their important roles in various body functions, such as energy homeostasis, sexual function, and inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties discovered so far have led to the hypothesis that alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and its cognate receptors might present potential anti-inflammatory treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine B, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer Strasse 33, 48129 Muenster, Germany. maaser@uni-muenster.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maaser
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kannengiesser
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kucharzik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D019824:beta-MSH / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D019824:beta-MSH; D000521:alpha-MSH