α-MSH regulates interleukin-10 expression by human keratinocytes

• Published in: Archives of Dermatological Research 1998-08, Vol.290 (8), p.425-428
• Main Authors: REDONDO, P, GARCIA-FONCILLAS, J, OKROUJNOV, I, BANDRES, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: alpha-MSH - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Female; Gene Expression - drug effects; Humans; Interleukin-10 - genetics; Interleukin-10 - metabolism; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Keratinocytes - cytology; Keratinocytes - drug effects; Keratinocytes - metabolism; Medical sciences; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; RNA, Messenger - drug effects; RNA, Messenger - metabolism
• ISSN: 0340-3696; 1432-069X
• DOI: 10.1007/s004030050330

Normal human keratinocytes (HKC) are able to synthesize alpha-MSH. Because the production of alpha-MSH by HKC is induced significantly by ultraviolet B radiation, the involvement of keratinocyte-derived alpha-MSH in UV-induced immunosuppression has been suggested. The induction of the antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 in monocytes is a major mechanism in the antiinflammatory actions of alpha-MSH. In the present study, HKC were investigated for their ability to produce IL-10 after alpha-MSH stimulation. HKC were obtained from the skin of human female breast sections and either left untreated or treated with 0.01 or 0.1 microg/ml alpha-MSH for different times. Using RT-PCR, HKC were shown to express IL-10 mRNA even under basal conditions, and treatment with alpha-MSH increased expression. Only minimal concentrations of IL-10 protein were detected in supernatants from the alpha-MSH-stimulated cultures. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of IL-10 expression by cultured HKC after alpha-MSH stimulation. Further studies are needed to determine the biological and therapeutic relevance of these findings.