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Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice
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Sleep Deprivation Alters T Cell Dynamics: Melatonin as a Restorative Agent
Hilal Öztürk1, Hakan Çalış2,3, Yusuf Metin Gelmez4
1Department of Biophysics, Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Medicine, Trabzon, Turkey.
Journal of Sleep Research
|July 10, 2025
Summary
Sleep deprivation weakens immune function, increasing immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Melatonin treatment restored normal T cell levels, highlighting its therapeutic potential for sleep deprivation-induced immune imbalance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Sleep Science
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Sleep is vital for health, while sleep deprivation (SD) impairs immune function and increases chronic disease risk.
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in immune system regulation.
- Understanding the impact of SD on Tregs and potential interventions is essential for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Tregs in the immune response to sleep deprivation.
- To evaluate the therapeutic effect of melatonin in modulating SD-induced immune changes.
- To analyze Treg populations in blood and spleen following SD and melatonin treatment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mouse model (C57BL/6J) with four experimental groups: control, control with melatonin, SD, and SD with melatonin.
- Assessed regulatory T cell (Treg) levels in peripheral blood and spleen samples using flow cytometry.
- Quantified CD3+ T cells and Helios transcription factor expressing Tregs to evaluate immune status.
Main Results:
- Sleep deprivation (SD) decreased CD3+ T cells in blood but not spleen.
- SD increased Helios+ Treg levels in both blood and spleen, suggesting immunosuppression.
- Melatonin administration restored T cell populations and modulated Treg numbers, including Helios+ Tregs.
Conclusions:
- Sleep deprivation induces an immunological imbalance characterized by altered T cell populations and increased immunosuppressive Tregs.
- Melatonin shows therapeutic promise in restoring immune homeostasis disrupted by sleep deprivation.
- Findings highlight the immunological consequences of SD and melatonin's potential to mitigate these effects.
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