title: The melanocortin system in control of inflammation.
abstract: Melanocortin peptides, the collective term for alpha-, beta-, and gamma-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-, beta-, gamma-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), are elements of an ancient modulatory system. Natural melanocortins derive from the common precursor pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). Five receptor subtypes for melanocortins (MC1-MC5) are widely distributed in brain regions and in peripheral cells. Melanocortin receptor activation by natural or synthetic ligands exerts marked anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. The anticytokine action and the inhibitory influences on inflammatory cell migration make melanocortins potential new drugs for treatment of inflammatory disorders. Effectiveness in treatment of acute, chronic, and systemic inflammatory disorders is well documented in preclinical studies. Further, melanocortins are promising compounds in neuroprotection. This review examines the main signaling circuits in anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions of melanocortins, and the potential therapeutic use of these molecules.
authors.affiliation: Center for Preclinical Investigation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy. anna.catania@unimi.it
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lonati
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sordi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carlin
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leonardi
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gatti
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053486:Melanocortins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000378:metabolism; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D053486:Melanocortins; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone