Abstract

IMMUNOMODULATION BY CYTOKINES IN CHRONOBIOLOGICAL VISION

Abstract

Immune system to maintain homeostasis operates through of a network of signaling and components, of which to be detached the cytokines. According with the cytokine profile predominant in place, a type of immune response is induced and can be classified into Th1, Th2, Th3, Th17 and regulatory T cells. The cytokines also are influenced by circadian rhythms. Hormones that suffer chronobiological variations as the cortisol, melatonin, prolactin, growth hormone (GH), and sex hormones may modulate the immune system. Cortisol is an antiinflammatory and immunosuppressive. The melatonin can lead to increase of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines, exerting a conflicting effect, modulating the immune response so dose-dependent. The GH and prolactin are immunostimulants, as well as promoting the activity of cytokines of the Th1 profile. Estrogens have anti-inflammatory activity, but also can have a proinflammatory role depending on the factors stimulating. Generally the estrogen has stimulatory action in humoral immunity and the progesterone can present a natural immunosuppressive agent and has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Already, the testosterone can reduce the functions of the immune system. This knowledge out is of clinical importance for a possible simultaneous co-stimulation of cells with hormones and cytokines, as typically occurs under physiological conditions in animals and humans. This is a vast field of study and further investigations involving chronoimmunomodulation need to be more developed. Through this knowledge new applicability involving the immune response and therapies can be proposed.

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