The Melanocortin System in Control of Inflammation

Melanocortin peptides, the collective term for α-, β-, and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-, β-, γ-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...

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Main Authors: Anna Catania, Caterina Lonati, Andrea Sordi, Andrea Carlin, Patrizia Leonardi, Stefano Gatti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2010-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.173
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author Anna Catania
Caterina Lonati
Andrea Sordi
Andrea Carlin
Patrizia Leonardi
Stefano Gatti
author_facet Anna Catania
Caterina Lonati
Andrea Sordi
Andrea Carlin
Patrizia Leonardi
Stefano Gatti
author_sort Anna Catania
collection DOAJ
description Melanocortin peptides, the collective term for α-, β-, and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-, β-, γ-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.
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spelling doaj-art-d6dbc745f22f40889d612e1c472ba2f52025-08-20T03:19:49ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2010-01-01101840185310.1100/tsw.2010.173The Melanocortin System in Control of InflammationAnna Catania0Caterina Lonati1Andrea Sordi2Andrea Carlin3Patrizia Leonardi4Stefano Gatti5Center for Preclinical Investigation, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, ItalyCenter for Preclinical Investigation, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, ItalyCenter for Preclinical Investigation, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, ItalyCenter for Preclinical Investigation, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, ItalyCenter for Preclinical Investigation, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, ItalyCenter for Surgical Research, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda - Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, ItalyMelanocortin peptides, the collective term for α-, β-, and γ-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-, β-, γ-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.http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.173
spellingShingle Anna Catania
Caterina Lonati
Andrea Sordi
Andrea Carlin
Patrizia Leonardi
Stefano Gatti
The Melanocortin System in Control of Inflammation
The Scientific World Journal
title The Melanocortin System in Control of Inflammation
title_full The Melanocortin System in Control of Inflammation
title_fullStr The Melanocortin System in Control of Inflammation
title_full_unstemmed The Melanocortin System in Control of Inflammation
title_short The Melanocortin System in Control of Inflammation
title_sort melanocortin system in control of inflammation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2010.173
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