[Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. From bench to bedside].
Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a tridecapeptide that is produced by the skin itself from the precursor proopiomelanocortin. It crucially mediates ultraviolet light-induced tanning after binding to melanocortin-1 receptors (MC-1R) expressed on the surface of epidermal melanocytes. The potent pigment-inducing and also cytoprotective actions of alpha-MSH are the rationale for the performance of first phase II clinical trials with Nle4-D-Phe7-alpha-MSH (NDP-alpha-MSH), a subcutaneously administered synthetic and superpotent alpha-MSH analogue, in patients with photodermatoses such as erythropoietic protoporphyria. Since alpha-MSH has shown promising anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties in numerous preclinical studies, it will be most interesting to evaluate these effects in further clinical pilot studies with NDP-alpha-MSH. In addition to alpha-MSH analogues, truncated tripeptides such as KDPT which do not bind to MC-1R but have sustained anti-inflammatory properties are currently emerging as another novel therapeutic strategy in dermatology.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hautkrankheiten-Allgemeine Dermatologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Von-Esmarch-Str. 58, 48149, Münster, Germany. bohmm@uni-muenster.de
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D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035843:Biomedical Research; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D046351:Protoporphyria, Erythropoietic / Q000188:drug therapy; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000502:physiology; D055108:Sunbathing; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008543:Melanins; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1; D000521:alpha-MSH; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; C534526:afamelanotide