Immune - Pineal Axis: Modulatory effect of melatonin on the NFKB pathway in cerebellar cells cultures

• Grant number: 09/17800-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2010
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal researcher: Regina Pekelmann Markus
• Grantee: Daiane Gil Franco
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 07/07871-6 - Imune-pineal Axis: injury shifts melatonin production from endocrine to paracrine, AP.TEM

Abstract

Melatonin, the darkness hormone, is also a modulator of the immune system, and it can be produced either by the pineal gland or immune competent cells. Taking into account the switch between pineal and peripheral production of melatonin during the mounting of an inflammatory response, our laboratory proposed the existence of an immune-pineal axis, which involves a bidirectional interaction of the gland with the immune system. In this project we intend to evaluate the effect of melatonin on cultured cerebellar cells challenged by injured agents, as well as the ability of glial cells to produce melatonin. We will focus in the nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB) pathway, which is pivotal for mounting inflammatory responses, and neuronal survival. This project will contribute for understanding the effect of melatonin on neuronal cells and providing evidence for its beneficial and collateral effects.