beta-Endorphin as a regulator of human hair follicle melanocyte biology.
Kauser, Sobia Thody, Anthony J. Schallreuter, Karin U. Tobin, Desmond J. Gummer, C.L.
Kauser, Sobia
Thody, Anthony J.
Schallreuter, Karin U.
Tobin, Desmond J.
Gummer, C.L.
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2004
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Abstract
The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, -melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone, are important mediators of human skin pigmentation via action at the melanocortin-1 receptor. Recent data suggests that such a regulatory role also exists for the endogenous opiate, -endorphin (-END). A role for this -END in the regulation of follicular pigmentation, however, has not been determined. This study was designed to examine the involvement of the -END/-opiate receptor system in human follicular melanocyte biology. We employed RT-PCR, and immunohisto/cytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy using -END and -opiate receptor specific antibodies and a functional role for -END was assessed by direct stimulation with the peptide. This study has demonstrated that human hair follicle melanocytes (HFM) express mRNA for the -opiate receptor and POMC. Furthermore, -END and its high affinity -opiate receptor are expressed at the protein level in glycoprotein100-positive follicular melanocytes and as a function of their anatomic location and differentiation status during the hair growth cycle. Functional studies revealed that -END is a modifier of HFM phenotype via its ability to upregulate melanogenesis, dendricity, and proliferation. These findings suggest a new regulatory role for -END in human HFM biology, providing a new research direction into the fundamental regulation of human hair pigmentation.
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Kauser, S., Thody, A.J., Schallreuter, K.U. and Tobin, D.J. et al. (2004). beta-Endorphin as a regulator of human hair follicle melanocyte biology. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Vol. 123, No. 1, pp. 184-195.
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