Curbing Inflammation Through Endogenous Pathways: Focus on Melanocortin Peptides

Overview

Journal Int J Inflam

Publisher Wiley

Date 2013 Jun 6

PMID 23738228

Citations 23

Authors

Tazeen J Ahmed

Trinidad Montero-Melendez

Mauro Perretti

Costantino Pitzalis

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The resolution of inflammation is now known to be an active process, armed with a multitude of mediators both lipid and protein in nature. Melanocortins are peptides endowed with considerable promise with their proresolution and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models of inflammatory disease, with tissue protective effects. These peptides and their targets are appealing because they can be seen as a natural way of inducing these effects as they harness endogenous pathways of control. Whereas most of the information generated about these mediators derives from several acute models of inflammation (such as zymosan induced peritonitis), there is some indication that these mediators may inhibit chronic inflammation by modulating cytokines, chemokines, and leukocyte apoptosis. In addition, proresolving mediators and their mimics have often been tested alongside therapeutic protocols, hence have been tested in settings more relevant to real life clinical scenarios. We provide here an overview on some of these mediators with a focus on melanocortin peptides and receptors, proposing that they may unveil new opportunities for innovative treatments of inflammatory arthritis.

Citing Articles

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A Narrative Review of Acthar Gel for the Treatment of Myositis.

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Pro-resolving and anti-arthritic properties of the MC selective agonist PL8177.

Garrido-Mesa J, Thomas B, Dodd J, Spana C, Perretti M, Montero-Melendez T Front Immunol. 2022; 13:1078678.

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