Melanin-concentrating hormone and immune function
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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Bernard Lakaye1, Bernard Coumans, Sophie Harray
1GIGA-Neurosciences, University of Liège, Belgium. B.Lakaye@ulg.ac.be
Abstract:
To date, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) has been generally considered as peptide acting almost exclusively in the central nervous system. In the present paper, we revise the experimental evidence, demonstrating that MCH and its receptors are expressed by cells of the immune system and directly influence the response of these cells in some circumstances. This therefore supports the idea that, as with other peptides, MCH could be considered as a modulator of the immune system. Moreover, we suggest that this could have important implications in several immune-mediated disorders and affirm that there is a clear need for further investigation.
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