Melanocortin Peptides: Potential Targets in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease resulting in loss of self-tolerance with multiple organs, such as the kidney, skin, joints, and the central nervous system (CNS), being targeted. Numerous immunosuppressant therapies are currently being used for the treatment of SLE...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Inflammation 2015-02, Vol.38 (1), p.260-271
Main Authors: Loram, Lisa Carole, Culp, Melissa Elizabeth, Connolly-Strong, Erin Corey, Sturgill-Koszycki, Sheila
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Drug Delivery Systems - trends
Humans
Immunology
Internal Medicine
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - drug therapy
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic - metabolism
Melanocortins - administration & dosage
Melanocortins - metabolism
Pathology
Peptides - administration & dosage
Peptides - metabolism
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Receptors, Melanocortin - metabolism
Rheumatology
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Summary:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease resulting in loss of self-tolerance with multiple organs, such as the kidney, skin, joints, and the central nervous system (CNS), being targeted. Numerous immunosuppressant therapies are currently being used for the treatment of SLE, but their clinical utility is somewhat variable because of the clinical heterogeneity. Melanocortins are a family of peptides derived from the common precursor protein pro-opiomelanocortin. These multifunctional peptides activate five subtypes of melanocortin receptors expressed on immune, skin, muscle, bone, and kidney cells and cells within the CNS. Melanocortin peptides have demonstrated a variety of biologic actions including immunomodulation, melanogenesis, and renoprotection. This review aims to introduce the melanocortin system and explore the mechanisms by which they may be beneficial in diseases such as SLE.
ISSN:0360-3997
1573-2576
DOI:10.1007/s10753-014-0029-5