A role for melatonin in maintaining the pro- and anti-inflammatory balance by influencing leukocyte migration and apoptosis in carp. Issue 1 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kepka, Magdalena; Szwejser, Ewa; Pijanowski, Lukasz; Verburg-van Kemenade, B.M. Lidy; Chadzinska, Magdalena
• Is Part Of: Developmental and comparative immunology. Volume 53:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 179
• Page End: 190
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Immunology -- Periodicals; Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2015.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-305X

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <p id="abspara0010">Melatonin is responsible for the synchronization of many physiological processes, including the immune response. Here we focus on the expression of melatonin MT1 receptors in/on leukocytes, and on the effects of melatonin administration on the inflammatory processes of carp.</p> <p id="abspara0015">For the first time, we showed that fish leukocytes express MT1 receptors, implicating direct responsiveness to melatonin stimulation. Moreover, both <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic>, melatonin modulated the immune response. The most potent effects of melatonin concerned the regulation of leukocyte migration. Melatonin reduced chemotaxis of leukocytes towards CXC chemokines <italic>in vitro</italic>. <italic>In vivo, </italic> during zymosan induced peritonitis, i.p. administration of melatonin reduced the number of neutrophils. This correlated with a melatonin-induced decrease of gene expression of the CXCa chemokine. Moreover, melatonin induced a decrease of the respiratory burst in inflammatory leukocytes.</p> <p id="abspara0020">Although these data do suggest a potent anti-inflammatory function for this hormone, melatonin-induced inhibition of leukocyte apoptosis clearly indicates towards a dual function.</p> <p id="abspara0025">These results show that also in carp, melatonin performs a pleiotropic and extra-pineal function that is important in maintaining the delicate pro- and anti-inflammatory balance during infection. They furthermore demonstrate that neuroendocrine–immune interaction via melatonin is evolutionary conserved.</p> </sec> </abstract>