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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
CRH inhibits NF-kappa B signaling in human melanocytes
Blazej Zbytek1, Lawrence M Pfeffer, Andrzej T Slominski
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue #525, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
Abstract:
Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), a messenger of stress at the central level, is expressed in the epidermis where it operates within local equivalent of hypothalamo-pituitary axis. CRH inhibits NF-kappaB activity in human immortalized epidermal (PIG1) melanocytes. In melanocytes CRH stimulates pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) peptide production. Knockdown of POMC levels by transfecting cells with antisense oligonucleotides blocks the effect of CRH on NF-kappaB signaling indicating that the above inhibition is indirect, e.g. through activation of POMC. We suggest that induction of POMC by CRH serves as a feedback mechanism to self-restrict inflammatory response in the skin.
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