Department Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of Seville Medical School, Spain.
Department Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of Seville Medical School, Spain.
Immunol Lett. 2024 Oct;269:106901. doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2024.106901. Epub 2024 Jul 18.
Melatonin is the major product both synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland during the night period and it is the principal chronobiotic hormone that regulates the circadian rhythms and seasonal changes in vertebrate biology. Moreover, melatonin shows both a broad distribution along the phylogenetically distant organisms and a high functional versatility. At the present time, a significant amount of experimental evidence has been reported in scientific literature and has clearly shown a functional relationship between the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems. The biochemistry basis of the functional communication between these systems is the utilization of a common chemicals signals. In this framework, at present melatonin is considered to be a relevant member of the so-called neuro-endocrine-immunological network. Thus, both in vivo and in vitro investigations conducted in both experimental animals and humans, have clearly documented that melatonin has an important immunomodulatory role. However, most of the published results refer to information on T lymphocytes, i.e., cell-mediated immunity. On the contrary, fewer studies have been carried out on B lymphocytes, the cells responsible for the so-called humoral immunity. In this review, we have focused on the biological role of melatonin in the humoral immunity. More precisely, we report the actions of melatonin on B lymphocytes biology and on the production of different types of antibodies.
褪黑素是松果体在夜间合成和分泌的主要产物，是调节脊椎动物生物昼夜节律和季节性变化的主要生物钟激素。此外，褪黑素在沿进化上相距甚远的生物体中具有广泛的分布，并具有高度的多功能性。目前，科学文献中已经报道了大量的实验证据，清楚地表明了内分泌、神经和免疫系统之间存在功能关系。这些系统之间功能交流的生物化学基础是利用共同的化学信号。在这个框架内，目前褪黑素被认为是所谓的神经内分泌免疫网络中的一个重要成员。因此，无论是在实验动物还是人类中进行的体内和体外研究，都清楚地证明了褪黑素具有重要的免疫调节作用。然而，大多数已发表的结果都涉及 T 淋巴细胞的信息，即细胞介导的免疫。相反，对 B 淋巴细胞的研究较少，B 淋巴细胞是负责所谓的体液免疫的细胞。在这篇综述中，我们重点关注了褪黑素在体液免疫中的生物学作用。更确切地说，我们报告了褪黑素对 B 淋巴细胞生物学和不同类型抗体产生的作用。
