Open AccessPinealectomy alters IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in primary thymocyte culture of rats
Author(s) -
Zafer Şahin,
Süleyman Sandal,
Bayram Yılmaz,
Özgür Bulmuş,
Gokcen Ozdemir,
Selim Kutlu,
Ahmet Gödekmerdan,
Haluk Keleştimur
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cellular and molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1165-158X
pISSN - 0145-5680
DOI - 10.14715/cmb/2018.64.14.5
Subject(s) - pinealectomy , melatonin , pineal gland , medicine , endocrinology , thymocyte , concanavalin a , biology , cytokine , chemistry , immune system , immunology , t cell , in vitro , biochemistry
Melatonin, produced mainly by the pineal gland, has an immunomodulatory role. However, the effects of the pineal gland and/or melatonin on thymus cytokine levels such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 are not well known. Twenty-one male Wistar rats (220-250 gr) were randomly divided into three groups (n=7): intact control, sham, and pinealectomy. Primary thymocyte cultures were prepared from each group and dispensed into well plates as Control, DMSO (or vehicle), Sham-pinealectomy, Pinealectomy, Pinealectomy+10µM melatonin, and Pinealectomy+100µM melatonin. IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10 concentrations were measured in the thymocytes (as nonstimulated and Concanavalin A-stimulated) after 24 h. IFN-γ levels significantly increased and IL-10 levels significantly decreased in both media prepared from pinealectomized rats. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of IL-4. In the pinealectomy+10µM melatonin group, IFN-γ and IL-10 levels did not differ from the pinealectomy group. However, the dose of 100µM melatonin caused a decrease in levels of IFN-γ in both thymocyte media and an increase in the concentration of IL-10 in Concanavalin A-stimulated thymocytes. In conclusion, pineal gland and/or melatonin affect IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in the thymus gland.