Abstract
Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone(α-MSH), the strongest endogenous immunomodulatory small-molecule neuroendocrine peptide among melanocyte stimulating hormones, is mainly produced in the pituitary gland. α-MSH can promote melanocytes to proliferate and produce melanosomes, regulate the differentiation of melanocytes through the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, and finally cause skin pigmentation. Many studies have shown that α-MSH levels are decreased in the epidermis and sera in patients with vitiligo. The α-MSH analogue afamelanotide, which can induce the expression of α-MSH by melanocytes, and the sex steroid thyroid hormone metharmon-F, both can be used to treat vitiligo through action on melanocytes, and have been lately recommended for the treatment of vitiligo at clinics. Key words: alpha-MSH; Vitiligo; Sex steroid thyroid hormone; Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor; alpha-MSH derivatives
Published Version
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