The Role of Alpha-MSH as a Modulator of Ocular Immunobiology Exemplifies Mechanistic Differences between Melanocortins and Steroids

Melanocortins are a highly conserved family of peptides and receptors that includes multiple proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides and five defined melanocortin receptors. The melanocortins have an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis and in suppressing inflammation. Within the healthy ey...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ocular immunology and inflammation 2017-04, Vol.25 (2), p.179-189
Main Authors: Clemson, Christine M., Yost, John, Taylor, Andrew W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alpha-MSH
alpha-MSH - physiology
eye
Eye - immunology
glucocorticoids
Hormones - physiology
Humans
Immune Privilege - physiology
Immune System - physiology
Inflammation - prevention & control
melanocortins
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Summary:Melanocortins are a highly conserved family of peptides and receptors that includes multiple proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides and five defined melanocortin receptors. The melanocortins have an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis and in suppressing inflammation. Within the healthy eye, the melanocortins have a central role in preventing inflammation and maintaining immune privilege. A central mediator of the anti-inflammatory activity is the non-steroidogenic melanocortin peptide alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. In this review we summarize the major findings of melanocortin regulation of ocular immunobiology with particular interest in the ability of melanocortin to induce immune tolerance and cytoprotection. The melanocortins have therapeutic potential because their mechanisms of action in regulating immunity are distinctly different from the actions of steroids.
ISSN:0927-3948
1744-5078
DOI:10.3109/09273948.2015.1092560