Journal of Leukocyte Biology Myeloid cells, immune suppression, tumor immunology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

A more recent version of this article appeared on February 1, 2007

Published online before print October 17, 2006
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (Reprint (PDF))
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
jlb.0706426v1
81/2/383    most recent
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Catania, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Catania, A.
© by The Society for Leukocyte Biology
Journal of Leukocyte Biology, doi:10.1189/jlb.0706426

Received for publication July 4, 2006.
Revised September 1, 2006.
Accepted for publication September 12, 2006.

Article

The melanocortin system in leukocyte biology

Anna Catania @

Center for Preclinical Investigation, Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Milan, Italy

@ To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: anna.catania{at}unimi.it.


  Abstract

The melanocortin system is composed of the melanocortin peptides, adrenocorticotropic hormone and {alpha}-, {beta}-, and {gamma}-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the melanocortin receptors (MCRs), and the endogenous antagonists agouti- and agouti-related protein. Melanocortin peptides exert multiple effects upon the host, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Leukocytes are a source of melanocortins and a major target for these peptides. Because of reduced translocation of the nuclear factor NF-{kappa}B to the nucleus, MCR activation by their ligands causes a collective reduction of the most important molecules involved in the inflammatory process. This review examines how melanocortin peptides and their receptors participate in leukocyte biology.

Key Words: adrenocorticotropic hormone • {alpha}-melanocyte-stimulating hormone • melanocortin receptors • melanocortin peptides • nuclear factor-{kappa}B • neuroimmunomodulation • pro-opiomelanocortin




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 EndocrinologyHome page
K. L. J. Ellacott, J. G. Murphy, D. L. Marks, and R. D. Cone
Obesity-Induced Inflammation in White Adipose Tissue Is Attenuated by Loss of Melanocortin-3 Receptor Signaling
Endocrinology, December 1, 2007; 148(12): 6186 - 6194.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Copyright © 2006 by the Society for Leukocyte Biology.