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Melanocortin Peptide Therapy for the Treatment of Arthritic Pathologies

Arthritic pathologies are a major cause of morbidity within the western world, with rheumatoid arthritis affecting approximately 1% of adults. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of naturally occurring hormones and their peptides, in both arthritic models of disease and patients. The ar...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Getting, S. J., Kaneva, M., Bhadresa, Y., Renshaw, D., Leoni, Giovanna, Patel, H. B., Kerrigan, M. J. P., Locke, I. C.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: TheScientificWorldJOURNAL 2009
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5823194/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20024514
http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2009.163
Descripción
Sumario:Arthritic pathologies are a major cause of morbidity within the western world, with rheumatoid arthritis affecting approximately 1% of adults. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of naturally occurring hormones and their peptides, in both arthritic models of disease and patients. The arthritides represent a group of closely related pathologies in which cytokines, joint destruction, and leukocytes play a causal role. Here we discuss the role of naturally occurring pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived melanocortin peptides (e.g., alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone [a-MSH]) and synthetic derivatives in these diseases. Melanocortins exhibit their biological efficacy by modulating proinflammatory cytokines and subsequent leukocyte extravasation. Their biological effects are mediated via seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors, of which five have been cloned, identified, and termed MC(1) to MC(5). Adrenocorticotrophic hormone represents the parent molecule of the melanocortins; the first 13 amino acids of which (termed a-MSH) have been shown to be the most pharmacologically active region of the parent hormone. The melanocortin peptides have been shown to display potent anti-inflammatory effects in both animal models of disease and patients. The potential anti-inflammatory role for endogenous peptides in arthritic pathologies is in its infancy. The ability to inhibit leukocyte migration, release of cytokines, and induction of anti-inflammatory proteins appears to play an important role in affording protection in arthritic injury, and thus may lead to potential therapeutic targets.