title: The α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-melanocortin receptor system influences the effects of ultraviolet A on skin and intestinal immunity in mice.
abstract: Irradiation by ultraviolet (UV) A is known to decrease Langerhans cells (LCs) in the skin and increase IgA expression in the intestine, specifically the jejunum. These changes were induced in C57BL/6j mice by exposure of the ear or the eyes to 11 J/cm2 UVA radiation, then a melanocortin receptor agonist (Agouti-related protein; AgRP) was introduced either intracerebrally or intracerebroventricularly. The degree of change in both LC number and IgA expression induced by UVA eye irradiation was reduced more by intracerebral than by intraperitoneal injection of AgRP. α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone and melanocortin receptors in the brain seem to contribute to immunomodulation after UVA irradiation of the eye or the ear in mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan. m9378012@msic.med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hiramoto
mesh_terms: D054369:Agouti-Related Protein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004423:Ear; D005123:Eye; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007267:Injections; D007583:Jejunum / Q000276:immunology*; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D054369:Agouti-Related Protein; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin