myelin-basic-protein and luzindole

Melatonin has immune-enhancing effects and can exacerbate autoimmunity. Pinealectomy or light exposure, which suppress melatonin, inhibit T cell autoimmunity. To investigate the involvement of melatonin in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a T-cell-mediated autoimmune demyelinating disease, we tested the effect of luzindole, a melatonin receptor antagonist, on EAE. Luzindole-treated mice did not develop EAE after immunization with spinal cord homogenate, whereas control mice developed EAE. This study suggests that pharmacological inhibition of the immunoenhancing effects of melatonin may prevent autoimmune demyelination.

Topics: Animals; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Myelin Basic Protein; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Receptors, Melatonin; T-Lymphocytes; Tryptamines