Melatonin modulation of lymphocyte proliferation and Th1/Th2 cytokine expression.

TitleMelatonin modulation of lymphocyte proliferation and Th1/Th2 cytokine expression.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2001
AuthorsKühlwein E, Irwin M
JournalJ Neuroimmunol
Volume117
Issue1-2
Pagination51-7
Date Published2001 Jul 2
ISSN0165-5728
KeywordsAdolescent, 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 JournalJ. Neuroimmunol.
PubMed ID11431004
Grant List2P30-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