Abstract
In this paper we review the historical milestones that first highlighted the existence of a relationship between melatonin and the immune system and we summarize data from experiments which correlate the rhythmic production of melatonin with the rhythmic activity of the immune system. The effects of pinealectomy and in vivo administration of melatonin on a variety of immune parameters, including specific and non-specific immunity are considered and we also present contradictory data concerning the effect of melatonin in cultured immunocompetent cells and a possible scheme of how melatonin regulates the production of a number of cytokines. Finally, the mechanism of action of melatonin in the immune system is discussed. Many data suggest the existence of both nuclear and membrane receptors for melatonin in the immune system. Both of these appear to be clearly identified but their specific physiological role is still under discussion. In summary, although there is overwhelming information demonstrat ing the immunoenhancing properties of melatonin, many questions related to the cytokines involved and the mechanisms of action of the indoleamine require answers.
Keywords: Melatonin-Immune, interferon-gamma, immunostimulated macrophages, forskolin-stimulated
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Melatonin-Immune System Relationships
Volume: 2 Issue: 2
Author(s): Juan M. Guerrero and Russel J. Reiter
Affiliation:
Keywords: Melatonin-Immune, interferon-gamma, immunostimulated macrophages, forskolin-stimulated
Abstract: In this paper we review the historical milestones that first highlighted the existence of a relationship between melatonin and the immune system and we summarize data from experiments which correlate the rhythmic production of melatonin with the rhythmic activity of the immune system. The effects of pinealectomy and in vivo administration of melatonin on a variety of immune parameters, including specific and non-specific immunity are considered and we also present contradictory data concerning the effect of melatonin in cultured immunocompetent cells and a possible scheme of how melatonin regulates the production of a number of cytokines. Finally, the mechanism of action of melatonin in the immune system is discussed. Many data suggest the existence of both nuclear and membrane receptors for melatonin in the immune system. Both of these appear to be clearly identified but their specific physiological role is still under discussion. In summary, although there is overwhelming information demonstrat ing the immunoenhancing properties of melatonin, many questions related to the cytokines involved and the mechanisms of action of the indoleamine require answers.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Guerrero M. Juan and Reiter J. Russel, Melatonin-Immune System Relationships, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2002; 2 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026023394335
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026023394335 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
AlphaFold in Medicinal Chemistry: Opportunities and Challenges
AlphaFold, a groundbreaking AI tool for protein structure prediction, is revolutionizing drug discovery. Its near-atomic accuracy unlocks new avenues for designing targeted drugs and performing efficient virtual screening. However, AlphaFold's static predictions lack the dynamic nature of proteins, crucial for understanding drug action. This is especially true for multi-domain proteins, ...read more
Artificial intelligence for Natural Products Discovery and Development
Our approach involves using computational methods to predict the potential therapeutic benefits of natural products by considering factors such as drug structure, targets, and interactions. We also employ multitarget analysis to understand the role of drug targets in disease pathways. We advocate for the use of artificial intelligence in predicting ...read more
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes
The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP ...read more
Current Trends in Drug Discovery Based on Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Aided Drug Design
Drug development discovery has faced several challenges over the years. In fact, the evolution of classical approaches to modern methods using computational methods, or Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), has shown promising and essential results in any drug discovery campaign. Among these methods, molecular docking is one of the most notable ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Synapsin 1 Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment and Neuroinflammation in
Rats with Alzheimer’s Disease: An Experimental and Bioinformatics
Study
Current Alzheimer Research Antiviral Compounds Derived from Naturally Occurring Proteins
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Infective Agents Nutrigenetics, Metabolic Syndrome Risk and Personalized Nutrition
Current Vascular Pharmacology Recent Advances in Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering and Controlled Drug Delivery
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Ethanol and Inflammation
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Immune Aging and Autoimmune Diseases in Children
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Honey, Health and Longevity
Current Aging Science Inflammation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorder
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Selective Acetyl- and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors Reduce Amyloid-β Ex Vivo Activation of Peripheral Chemo-cytokines From Alzheimer's Disease Subjects: Exploring the Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathway
Current Alzheimer Research HPMC- A Marvel Polymer for Pharmaceutical Industry-Patent Review
Recent Advances in Drug Delivery and Formulation The Use of Nanocarriers to Enhance the Anti-neuroinflammatory Potential of Dietary Flavonoids in Animal Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Blood Immunoglobulins, Complement and TNF Receptor Following Minimally Invasive Surgery in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Lobectomy
Current Metabolomics Pharmacogenetics and Anaesthesiology
Current Pharmacogenomics Preface (Hot Topic: Fluorescence-based Screening Methods Guest Editor: Kyle R. Gee ).
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Role of Neurotrophins in Neuropathic Pain
Current Neuropharmacology The Uses of Dimedone for the Synthesis of Thiophene, Thiazole and Annulated Derivatives with Antitumor, Pim-1 Kinase Inhibitions, PAINS Evaluations and Molecular Docking
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Current Management of Alcoholic Liver Disease
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Neoplastic Conditions in the Context of HIV-1 Infection
Current HIV Research The Role of Diabetes in Molecular Pathogenesis of Cancer
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Functional Properties of Pentacyclic Triterpenes Contained in "Orujo" Olive Oil
Current Nutrition & Food Science