Probing the Role of Melanocortin Type 1 Receptor Agonists in Diverse Immunological Diseases.

The melanocortin α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an endogenous peptide with high affinity for the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1r), has demonstrated prevention and reversal of intestinal and ocular inflammation in animal models. Preclinical studies were performed to determine whether two MC1r receptor agonists, PL-8177 and PL-8331, exhibit actions and efficacy similar to α-MSH in preventing and reversing intestinal and ocular inflammation. Both PL-8177 and PL-8331 were assessed in a Eurofins LeadProfilingScreen selectivity panel including 72 assays.

Somatostatin is an immunosuppressive factor in aqueous humor.

Purpose: To detect the presence of somatostatin (SOM) in normal aqueous humor and to characterize its immunosuppressive activity.

Methods: Fresh rabbit aqueous humor was assayed for SOM by competitive ELISA. Primed T cells stimulated through their T-cell receptor (TCR) were treated with SOM at concentrations that ranged the level of SOM found in normal aqueous humor.