β‐Endorphin Binding and Regulation of Cytokine Expression in Langerhans Cells

Neuropeptides and neurohormones have been shown to be able to regulate cutaneous immune reactions. Binding of beta-endorphin (beta-end) on epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) and effects of beta-end on cytokine expression were examined. Biotinylated beta-end bound to the mouse LC-like cell line, XS52, and the binding was replaced with intact beta-end but not with substance P. beta-End augmented secretion of IL-1 beta and IL-10 from XS52 cells were induced by a combination of LPS and GM-CSF. Induction of TNF alpha was suppressed by beta-end. The regulation of cytokine expression was confirmed in fresh LC by RT-PCR. These results suggest that beta-end is a regulator of skin immune function.