Human immune cells express ppMCH mRNA and functional MCHR1 receptor

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Generation of Discriminative Human Monoclonal Antibodies from Rare Antigen-specific B Cells Circulating in Blood
13:14

Generation of Discriminative Human Monoclonal Antibodies from Rare Antigen-specific B Cells Circulating in Blood

Published on: February 6, 2018

Myriam Verlaet1, Antoine Adamantidis, Bernard Coumans

  • 1Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Liège, 17 place Delcour, B-4020, Liège, Belgium.

FEBS Letters
|September 11, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) influences immune cells. Research shows MCH and its receptor MCHR1 can modulate immune cell activity and reduce proliferation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is primarily known for its role in regulating feeding behavior, with high expression in the brain.
  • MCH is also found in peripheral tissues, but its function in these locations, particularly in immune cells, is largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential role and function of MCH and its receptors in human and mouse immune cells.
  • To determine if MCH signaling impacts immune cell responses, such as proliferation and intracellular signaling.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to assess the expression of MCH and its receptors (MCHR1, MCHR2) in immune cells.
  • Flow cytometry (FACS) and in vitro assays were employed to analyze MCHR1 expression and MCH-induced cellular responses, including cAMP synthesis and calcium mobilization.
  • The effect of MCH on the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with CD3 was evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Low levels of prepro-MCH and MCHR1 transcripts were detected in both tissular and peripheral blood immune cells, while MCHR2 transcript was absent.
  • MCHR1 receptor expression was confirmed on various immune cell types, and MCH treatment triggered cAMP synthesis and calcium mobilization in PBMCs.
  • In vitro MCH treatment led to a decrease in CD3-stimulated PBMC proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • The findings suggest that MCH and its receptor MCHR1 are expressed in immune cells and can modulate their function.
  • MCH signaling through MCHR1 appears to have an immunomodulatory effect, potentially inhibiting immune cell proliferation.
  • This study provides the first evidence for a role of MCH and MCHR1 in the immune system, opening new avenues for research in neuroimmunology.

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