Journal of Pineal Research最新文献

Melatonin (MEL) is a hormone whose secretion is regulated by daily and seasonal environmental light cycles. MEL production is strictly limited to the night and is inhibited by light. Besides exhibiting chronobiotic properties, MEL possesses vasoactive properties mediated by the plasma membrane melatonin receptors (MT1/MT2) and ion channels expressed in the vascular system. Therefore, it is important to understand the distribution and functions of these receptors in the vascular system. In this review, we analyzed 50 studies to map the expression of MT1/MT2 receptors in the vascular system and elucidate their mechanisms of action, modulation factors, and implications for vascular reactivity. The findings of this review indicate that MT1 and/or MT2 receptors are expressed heterogeneously across different vascular layers, including the cerebral vascular bed, caudal arteries of rats, mesenteric vascular bed, coronary arteries, aorta, and other vessels. In the cerebral vascular bed, the receptor expression is reduced during pathological conditions, advanced age, and the estrous cycle. Furthermore, MEL directly induces vasoconstriction by inhibiting cAMP and BKca channels via MEL membrane receptors. In rat caudal arteries, the receptor expression is regulated by conditions similar to those in the cerebral vascular bed. However, MEL demonstrated potentiating effects on pre-contracted vessels and vasorelaxant effects, probably via MT1 and MT2 receptors, respectively. The data obtained from the mesenteric vascular bed demonstrate that hypertension negatively modulates receptor expression and the vasorelaxant effect of MEL is mediated by the activation of both BKca channels and MEL receptors. In coronary arteries, MEL inhibits vasorelaxation. This effect is mediated by MT2 through the activation of BKca channels and stimulation of phosphodiesterase 5, which differs from the vasorelaxant effects observed in caudal arteries. The aorta is the only vessel in which the expression of these receptors has been investigated in humans, and is restricted to MT2. Furthermore, this is the only vessel in which the circadian profile of MT1 receptor expression has been analyzed in rats; however, no differences were observed between the evaluated phases. The expression of functionally active receptors was also detected in other vessels, such as the pulmonary, umbilical, and placental arteries. In general, we observed that MEL membrane receptors are widely expressed in the vascular system. The evidence obtained through this review suggests that the responses triggered by MEL in the vascular system vary depending on the vascular bed analyzed and hormone concentration. Furthermore, MT1 receptors likely mediate vasoconstrictor effects, whereas MT2 receptors mediate vasorelaxant effects. Additionally, there is a gap in the literature as very few studies have addressed the effects of circadian variations on the expression of these receptors, highlighting an important area for

Li Z, Wang H, Zhou Q, Li Q, Liu N, Jiang S, Deng Y. Melatonin Inhibits CD4+ T Cell Apoptosis via the Bcl-2/BAX Pathway and Improves Survival Rates in Mice With Sepsis. J Pineal Res. 2025 Sep;77(5):e70071. doi:10.1111/jpi.70071. PMID: 40801155.

Authors presented data on the effect of melatonin on apoptosis in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells in Figure 5P. It incorrectly featured an image of CD8+ T cells. Below is the correct image, and it has been replaced in the originally published article.

We apologize for the errors.

EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: K. Kleszczyński, S. Zwicker, S. Tukaj, M. Kasperkiewicz, D. Zillikens, R. Wolf, and T. W. Fischer, “Melatonin Compensates Silencing of Heat Shock Protein 70 and Suppresses Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Inflammation in Human Skin Ex Vivo and Cultured Keratinocytes,” Journal of Pineal Research 58, no. 1 (2015): 117-126, https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12197.

This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 25 November 2014 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been issued by agreement between the journal Editor-in-Chief, Gianluca Tosini; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. A third party reported that the 24 h 300 mJ/cm² panels for -Melatonin and +Melatonin in Figure 2A shared an overlapping section. The publisher confirmed these concerns, and following the initiation of its investigation, the publisher received further correspondence from University of Münster noting that the university had published a formal statement regarding one of the authors [1]. This statement reported the conclusions from a commission of inquiry which concluded that this author engaged in behavior consistent with scientific misconduct, and that the university had directed the authors to seek corrections with the publications involved in the inquiry. The University of Münster did not provide further details regarding the commission of inquiry with specific reference to this article.

The authors requested a correction for their article to replace the Hsp70 immunofluorescence 24 h 300 mJ/cm² +Melatonin image and they provided further corroborating evidence regarding their experimental procedures. Following a review of the data, the editors determined that, while the authors had provided evidence to support their claims that the replacement data corresponded to the stated samples and derived from the same experiments, the data provided could not be validated as being qualitatively the same. This Expression of Concern has been agreed to to inform and alert readers to the error in Figure 2A and the results of the publisher's and the university's investigation. All authors disagree with the Expression of Concern. On behalf of all authors, K. Kleszczyński requested correction for the error in Figure 2A. Author D. Zillikens had passed away before the start of the investigation.

EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: B. Bilska, F. Schedel, A. Piotrowska, J. Stefan, M. Zmijewski, E. Pyza, R. J. Reiter, K. Steinbrink, A. T. Slominski, M. K. Tulic, and K. Kleszczyński, “Mitochondrial Function Is Controlled by Melatonin and Its Metabolites In Vitro in Human Melanoma Cells,” Journal of Pineal Research 70, no. 3 (2021): e12728, https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12728.

This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 02 March 2021 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been issued by agreement between the journal Editor-in-Chief, Gianluca Tosini; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. A third party reported that the panels in Figure 3B and 3 C shared an overlapping cellular section. The publisher confirmed these concerns, and following the initiation of its investigation, the publisher received further correspondence from University of Münster noting that the university had published a formal statement regarding one of the authors [1]. This statement reported the conclusions from a commission of inquiry which concluded that this author engaged in behavior consistent with scientific misconduct, and that the university had directed the authors to seek corrections with the publications involved in the inquiry. The University of Münster did not provide further details regarding the commission of inquiry with specific reference to this article.

The authors requested a correction for their article to replace both Figures 3B and 3 C and shared original data as well as further corroborating evidence regarding their experimental procedures. Following a review of the data, the editors determined that, while the authors had provided evidence to support their claims that the new data corresponded to the stated samples, the data provided could not be validated as being qualitatively the same. This Expression of Concern has been agreed to to inform and alert readers to the error in Figure 3 and the results of the publisher's and the university's investigation. All authors disagree with the Expression of Concern. On behalf of all authors, K. Kleszczyński requested correction for the error in Figure 3. Author E. Pyza supported this request.

Melatonin is imperative in animals and plants, contributing to multiple physiological roles, and its microbial production could offer an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic melatonin. However, detecting and characterizing it in microorganisms remains ongoing, and the biosynthesis pathways are still poorly explored. We noted that not all microorganisms possess similar enzymes and substrates for melatonin production. Its biosynthesis pathway is well-characterized in yeast, potentiating its importance in agricultural practices in a melatonin-dependent manner. Intercellular melatonin production in algae and fungi boosts their resilience to oxidative cell death by activating the antioxidant defenses. Few studies on the use of Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Enterobacter sp. have shown that these bacteria increase their endogenous melatonin contents, which may exchange with their host plants; thereby, mitigating abiotic stresses by modulating cellular damages, ion exchanges, hormonal levels, and related transcript expressions. Though plant-growth-promoting microbes show promise to enhance crop production, melatonin-producing microorganisms (M-PMs) are limited in identification, and their ecological and biological applications are still underutilized in agriculture. With the compounded benefits from M-PMs, it could be an untapped tool for rhizospheric bioengineering. Therefore, this review delivers comprehensive insights into M-PMs for practicing sustainable agriculture under increased climatic changes.