Th2 cytokine response in Major Depressive Disorder patients before treatment

J Neuroimmunol. 2006 Mar;172(1-2):156-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2005.08.014. Epub 2006 Feb 2.

Abstract

In Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the neuroendocrine and immune systems interactions are impaired. We investigated the pro/anti-inflammatory Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in MDD patients and in non-depressed control group. The MDD subjects showed higher levels of cortisol and TNF-alpha, increased CD3+CD8+ and NK percentages, diminished B cell counts and no significant variations in CD3+CD4+ lymphocyte. Moreover, higher levels of IL-4 and IL-13 (Th2) and significantly lower measurements of IL-2 and IFN-gamma (Th1) cytokines were also observed in the MDD group. Overall, we propose that all these changes could be related to the elevated cortisol levels seen in the MDD patients. Further studies are necessary to explore these findings and its implication in future therapeutic approach of MDD patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / metabolism*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / pathology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radioimmunoassay / methods
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Hydrocortisone