Author： Markus Regina P Cecon Erika Pires-Lapa Marco Antonio
Publisher： MDPI
E-ISSN： 1422-0067|14|6|10979-10997
ISSN： 1422-0067
Source： International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol.14, Iss.6, 2013-05, pp. : 10979-10997
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
Pineal gland melatonin is the darkness hormone, while extra-pineal melatonin produced by the gonads, gut, retina, and immune competent cells acts as a paracrine or autocrine mediator. The well-known immunomodulatory effect of melatonin is observed either as an endocrine, a paracrine or an autocrine response. In mammals, nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) blocks noradrenaline-induced melatonin synthesis in pinealocytes, which induces melatonin synthesis in macrophages. In addition, melatonin reduces NF-κB activation in pinealocytes and immune competent cells. Therefore, pathogen- or danger-associated molecular patterns transiently switch the synthesis of melatonin from pinealocytes to immune competent cells, and as the response progresses melatonin inhibition of NF-κB activity leads these cells to a more quiescent state. The opposite effect of NF-κB in pinealocytes and immune competent cells is due to different NF-κB dimers recruited in each phase of the defense response. This coordinated shift of the source of melatonin driven by NF-κB is called the immune-pineal axis. Finally, we discuss how this concept might be relevant to a better understanding of pathological conditions with impaired melatonin rhythms and hope it opens new horizons for the research of side effects of melatonin-based therapies.
Related content
Access to resources
Recommend
By Liu Vincent Wing Sun Yau Wing Lung Tam Chun Wai Yao Kwok-Ming Shiu Stephen Yuen Wing
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 18, Iss. 6, 2017-05 ,pp. :
By Wang Huafang Hu Yu Guo Tao Mei Heng Zhang Xiaoping Sun Wangqiang
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 9, Iss. 9, 2008-09 ,pp. :
By Tiangco David A. Halcomb Sapna Lattanzio Frank A. Hargrave Barbara Y.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 11, Iss. 12, 2010-11 ,pp. :