title: Mechanisms of action of adrenocorticotropic hormone and other melanocortins relevant to the clinical management of patients with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: The therapeutic benefits of adrenocorticotropic hormone in multiple sclerosis are usually ascribed to its corticotropic actions. Evidence is presented that adrenocorticotropic hormone, approved for multiple sclerosis relapses, acts via corticosteroid-independent melanocortin pathways to engender down-modulating actions on immune-system cells and the cytokines they synthesize. Immune response-dampening effects are also brought about by agent-induced neurotransmitters that inhibit immunocytes. The likelihood that adrenocorticotropic hormone promotes microglial quiescence and counteracts glucocorticoid-mediated bone resorption is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Chicago Medical Center, IL, USA. barnason@neurology.bsd.uchicago.edu
authors.forename: Barry G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Arnason
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berkovich
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Lisak
authors.forename: Mone
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaidi
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008024:Ligands; D053486:Melanocortins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D061214:Patient Safety; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008024:Ligands; D053486:Melanocortins; D044101:Receptors, Melanocortin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone