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-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Inhibits Allergic Airway Inflammation¹

Ulrike Raap^*, Thomas Brzoska, Sirius Sohl^*, Günter Päth^*, Jörg Emmel^*, Udo Herz^*, Armin Braun^*, Thomas Luger and Harald Renz^2,*

^* Department of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany; and Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Boltzmann Institute, University Muenster, Muenster, Germany

-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (-MSH) is a neuropeptide controlling melanogenesis in pigmentary cells. In addition, its potent immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive activity has been recently described in cutaneous inflammatory disorders. Whether -MSH is also produced in the lung and might play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung conditions, including allergic bronchial asthma, is unknown. Production and functional role of -MSH were investigated in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation. -MSH production was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Although aerosol challenges stimulate -MSH production in nonsensitized mice, this rapid and marked stimulation was absent in allergic animals. Treatment of allergic mice with -MSH resulted in suppression of airway inflammation. These effects were mediated via IL-10 production, because IL-10 knockout mice were resistant to -MSH treatment. This study provides evidence for a novel function of -MSH linking neuroimmune functions in allergic airway inflammation.

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