Melatonin attenuates Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection by modulating arginine metabolism

Autor(es)

Laranjeira-Silva, Maria Fernanda ^[1] ; Zampieri, Ricardo A. ^[1] ; Muxel, Sandra M. ^[1] ; Floeter-Winter, Lucile Maria ^[1] ; Markus, Regina P. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biosci, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Pineal Research; v. 59, n. 4, p. 478-487, NOV 2015.
• Citações Web of Science: 18

Resumo

Acute inflammatory responses induced by bacteria or fungi block nocturnal melatonin synthesis by rodent pineal glands. Here, we show Leishmania infection does not impair daily melatonin rhythm in hamsters. Remarkably, the attenuated parasite burden and lesion progression in hamsters infected at nighttime was impaired by blockage of melatonin receptors with luzindole, whereas melatonin treatment during the light phase attenuated Leishmania infection. In vitro studies corroborated in vivo observations. Melatonin treatment reduced macrophage expression of Cat-2b, Cat1, and ArgI, genes involved in arginine uptake and polyamine synthesis. Indeed, melatonin reduced macrophage arginine uptake by 40%. Putrescine supplementation reverted the attenuation of infectivity by melatonin indicating that its effect was due to the arrest of parasite replication. This study shows that the Leishmania/host interaction varies in a circadian manner according to nocturnal melatonin pineal synthesis. Our results provide new data regarding Leishmania infectiveness and show new approaches for applying agonists of melatonin receptors in Leishmaniasis therapy. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 13/13691-1 - Eixo imune-pineal: integrando a biologia do tempo em condições fisiológicas, fisiopatológicas e patológicas
• Beneficiário: Regina Pekelmann Markus
• Linha de fomento: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático
• Processo FAPESP: 10/51422-4 - O eixo imune-pineal durante a infeccao por leishmania (leishmania) amazonensis.
• Beneficiário: Maria Fernanda Laranjeira da Silva
• Linha de fomento: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 10/52688-8 - Bioquímica, fisiologia e genômica funcional da relação Leishmania-macrófago
• Beneficiário: Lucile Maria Floeter-Winter
• Linha de fomento: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático