Quantitative measurement of the levels of melanocortin receptor subtype 1, 2, 3 and 5 and pro-opio-melanocortin peptide gene expression in subsets of human peripheral blood leucocytes

• Levels of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) 1, 2, 3 and 5 subtypes and pro-opio-melanocortin (POMC) protein mRNA were measured by the real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction method in CD4+ T helper (Th) cells, CD8+ T cytotoxic cells, CD19+ B cells, CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells, CD14+ monocytes and CD15+ granulocytes from healthy donors. We found high levels of all of the MC1, 2, 3 and 5R subtype mRNA in Th cells and moderate levels in NK cells, monocytes and granulocytes. POMC peptide mRNA was found in all examined leucocyte subsets, but only low levels were present in granulocytes. Our findings suggest a co-ordinating role for MCR subtypes and their naturally occurring ligands in the co-operation between innate and adaptive immunity. Moreover, our findings are compatible with earlier finding of MCR-mediated tolerance induction in Th cells.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Farmaceutiska vetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Pharmaceutical Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Immunologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Immunology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

B-Lymphocytes/metabolism

Base Sequence

CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism

CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism

DNA; Complementary/genetics

Gene Expression

Granulocytes/metabolism

Humans

Killer Cells; Natural/metabolism

Leukocytes/classification/*metabolism

Monocytes/metabolism

Pro-Opiomelanocortin/*genetics

RNA; Messenger/blood/genetics

Receptor; Melanocortin; Type 1/genetics

Receptor; Melanocortin; Type 2/genetics

Receptor; Melanocortin; Type 3/genetics

Receptors; Corticotropin/genetics

Receptors; Melanocortin/*genetics

Research Support; Non-U.S. Gov't

Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

PHARMACY

FARMACI

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)