The melanocortin (MC) system is probably the best characterized neuropeptide network of the skin. Most cutaneous cell types express MC receptors (MC-Rs) and synthesize MCs, such as alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), that act in autocrine and paracrine fashion. In human skin cells, activation of adenylate cyclase by MCs occurs at 10(-6)-10(-9) M doses of the ligand, but effects are induced in some cell types at subnanomolar concentrations. In addition to the pigmentary action of MCs on epidermal melanocytes, the hair follicle is a source and target for MCs. MCs regulate lipogenesis in sebocytes expressing both MC-1R and MC-5R. In adipocytes, lipid metabolism is modulated by agouti signalling protein, a natural MC-1R/MC-4R antagonist. The anti-inflammatory activity of alpha-MSH includes immunomodulatory effects on several resident skin cells and antifibrogenic effects mediated via MC-1R expressed by dermal fibroblasts. In human mast cells, alpha-MSH appears to be proinflammatory due to histamine release. alpha-MSH exhibits cytoprotective activity against UVB-induced apoptosis and DNA damage, a finding that helps explain the increased risk of cutaneous melanoma in individuals with loss of function MC-1R mutations. These findings should improve our understanding of skin physiology and pathophysiology and may offer novel strategies with MCs as future therapeutics for skin diseases.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.jid.5700421 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
EZH2 inhibition induces pyroptosis via RHA-mediated S100A9 overexpression in myelodysplastic syndromes.
Exp Hematol Oncol
January 2025
Department of Hematology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) represent a group of heterogeneous myeloid clonal diseases derived from aberrant hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is an important regulator in gene expression through methyltransferase-dependent or methyltransferase-independent mechanisms. Herein, we found EZH2 inhibition led to MDS cell pyroptosis through RNA Helicase A (RHA) down-regulation induced overexpression of S100A9, a key regulator of inflammasome activation and pyroptosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLong non-coding RNA Malat1 modulates CXCR4 expression to regulate the interaction between induced neural stem cells and microglia following closed head injury.
Stem Cell Res Ther
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, The First Medical Centre, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China.
Background: Closed head injury (CHI) provokes a prominent neuroinflammation that may lead to long-term health consequences. Microglia plays pivotal and complex roles in neuroinflammation-mediated neuronal insult and repair following CHI. We previously reported that induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) can block the effects of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling on NF-κB activation in activated microglia by CXCR4 overexpression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDetection of early relapse in multiple myeloma patients.
Cell Div
January 2025
Babak Myeloma Group, Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) represents the second most common hematological malignancy characterized by the infiltration of the bone marrow by plasma cells that produce monoclonal immunoglobulin. While the quality and length of life of MM patients have significantly increased, MM remains a hard-to-treat disease; almost all patients relapse. As MM is highly heterogenous, patients relapse at different times.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnderstanding retinal tau pathology through functional 2D and 3D iPSC-derived in vitro retinal models.
Acta Neuropathol Commun
January 2025
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy.
The generation of retinal models from human induced pluripotent stem cells holds significant potential for advancing our understanding of retinal development, neurodegeneration, and the in vitro modeling of neurodegenerative disorders. The retina, as an accessible part of the central nervous system, offers a unique window into these processes, making it invaluable for both study and early diagnosis. This study investigates the impact of the Frontotemporal Dementia-linked IVS 10 + 16 MAPT mutation on retinal development and function using 2D and 3D retinal models derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffectively alleviate rheumatoid arthritis via maintaining redox balance, inducing macrophage repolarization and restoring homeostasis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes by metformin-derived carbon dots.
J Nanobiotechnology
January 2025
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, 350001, China.
Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated synovial inflammation, synovial hyperplasia and fibrosis are the main characteristic of microenvironment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play crucial roles in the progression of RA. Hence, synergistic combination of ROS scavenging, macrophage polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype towards M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype, and restoring homeostasis of FLSs will provide a promising therapeutic strategy for RA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!