Evaluation of the involvement of ghrelin in the induction of thymic atrophy observed in diabetic mice

• Grant number: 12/03369-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2012
• End date: October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Liana Maria Cardoso Verinaud
• Grantee: Ieda Carla Hespanhol Geniseli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 09/50809-5 - Inflammation and immune response in obesity, AP.TEM

Abstract

Thymus is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the full development of T lymphocytes. The intrathymic migration is essential for T cells are the signals required for survival, proliferation, differentiation, and generation of diverse repertoire. The thymus, as well as the immune system as a whole is under tight control neuroendocrine. The secretion of hormones that make up the hypothalamic-pituitary gland has direct consequence on the lymphoid organs and immune response by stimulating the secretion of cytokines and stimulating in many ways, the activities of lymphocytes. Ghrelin, a peptide hormone produced predominantly by ovoid cells in the stomach, is an important inducer of hunger. This hormone, by binding to its receptor stimulates the secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland. Still, this hormone has a large involvement in the immune system, is secreted by T and B lymphocytes and the neutrophil. In the thymus, ghrelin seems to stimulate timopoiese restoring thymic involution in aged mice.In our laboratory, we have worked with the model of thymic atrophy induced by alloxan diabetes. Through this model, we intend to understand the role of ghrelin and the possible consequences of hormonal disorder generated by diabetes in the thymus. This project also aims to generate data that can corroborate a better understanding of some issues that were previously raised in a regular project of research grants (2010/06831-3) and a doctorate (2010/19558-3) which this project is linked. (AU)