Cytokine production in panic disorder patients.

Based on findings that stress and anxiety may modulate immune function, we compared the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells between 24 patients with nonmajor depressed panic disorders, 9 with agoraphobia and 15 without, and 19 healthy volunteers. No differences in the production of these cytokines was noted between the patients with panic disorders and the volunteers or between the patients with and without agoraphobia. However, in the patients, a negative correlation was found for interleukin-3 production with severity of state anxiety, but not with trait anxiety or depression. This finding indicates that interleukin-3 levels may be sensitive to the presence of anxiety and stress.