Böhm M, Luger T A
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hautkrankheiten, Allgemeine Dermatologie und Venerologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster.
Hautarzt. 2004 May;55(5):436-45. doi: 10.1007/s00105-004-0729-0.
Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a tridecapeptide that was originally characterized as a neuropeptide derived from the pituitary gland. alpha-MSH is synthesized from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) by the action of specific prohormone convertases which cleave POMC into alpha-MSH, adrenocorticotropin and beta-endorphin. The various effects of alpha-MSH are mediated via melanocortin receptors. The skin as well as the majority of cutaneous cell types express POMC. Proinflammatory stimuli such as ultraviolet (UV) light induce POMC expression and alpha-MSH secretion. Receptors for alpha-MSH are not only expressed by melanocytes, where they mediate melanogenesis and proliferation, but also by virtually every cutaneous cell type. Accordingly, alpha-MSH elicits a plethora of biological actions in these cell types including immunomodulation, protection from oxidative stress and UV-induced apoptosis, modulation of secretory epithelial function and regulation of extracellular matrix composition. These actions may be exploited in future by using super potent and truncated MSH peptides for the treatment of various skin disorders including inflammatory dermatoses.
α-黑素细胞刺激素（α-MSH）是一种十三肽，最初被鉴定为源自垂体的神经肽。α-MSH由阿黑皮素原（POMC）通过特定激素原转化酶的作用合成，这些酶将POMC切割成α-MSH、促肾上腺皮质激素和β-内啡肽。α-MSH的各种作用是通过黑素皮质素受体介导的。皮肤以及大多数皮肤细胞类型都表达POMC。促炎刺激，如紫外线（UV），可诱导POMC表达和α-MSH分泌。α-MSH的受体不仅在黑素细胞中表达，在黑素细胞中它们介导黑色素生成和增殖，而且几乎在每种皮肤细胞类型中都有表达。因此，α-MSH在这些细胞类型中引发大量生物学作用，包括免疫调节、免受氧化应激和紫外线诱导的细胞凋亡、调节分泌上皮功能以及调节细胞外基质组成。未来，通过使用超强效和截短的MSH肽来治疗包括炎症性皮肤病在内的各种皮肤疾病，可能会利用这些作用。
