Melatonin modulation of lymphocyte proliferation and Th1/Th2 cytokine expression.
Title | Melatonin modulation of lymphocyte proliferation and Th1/Th2 cytokine expression. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2001 |
Authors | Kühlwein E, Irwin M |
Journal | J Neuroimmunol |
Volume | 117 |
Issue | 1-2 |
Pagination | 51-7 |
Date Published | 2001 Jul 2 |
ISSN | 0165-5728 |
Keywords | Adolescent, Adult, Cytokines, Female, Humans, Lymphocyte Activation, Male, Melatonin, Middle Aged, Th1 Cells, Th2 Cells |
Abstract | Melatonin is hypothesized to play a role in neuroimmunomodulation. This study investigated the in vitro effects of melatonin (10(-12) - 10(-6) M) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and T helper type 1 and T helper type 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine expression. In vitro doses of melatonin significantly increased PBMC proliferation (p<0.05) and decreased IL-10 production in culture supernatants (p<0.05). However, there was no effect of melatonin on the stimulated production of IFN-gamma or on the intracellular accumulation of the activation antigen CD69, IFN-gamma, or IL-10 as measured by flow cytometry. These data support the notion that physiologic doses of melatonin increase lymphocyte proliferation possibly due to decreases in production of the inhibitory cytokine IL-10. |
Alternate Journal | J. Neuroimmunol. |
PubMed ID | 11431004 |
Grant List | 2P30-MH30914 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States 5T32-18399 / / PHS HHS / United States AA10215 / AA / NIAAA NIH HHS / United States M01 RR00827 / RR / NCRR NIH HHS / United States |