BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4(+)CD25(hi)) are specialized in steering the immune response and cytokine release to maintain tolerance to self-antigens. As cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-α have been shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression and cytokine levels have been shown to change during successful antidepressant treatment, we tested the involvement CD4(+)CD25(hi) Tregs in these immunological processes during antidepressant therapy. METHODS: 16 patients suffering from a depressive episode were included into the study and treated with antidepressants according to their doctor's choice. Blood samples were collected during the first week after admission and after 6 weeks of treatment. Therein, we determined plasma levels of IL-1β, and measured IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-α levels in the stimulated blood by performing a whole blood assay. We distinguished lymphocytes and identified CD4(+)CD25(hi) Tregs by multiparameter flow cytometry. The psychopathological status was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-21). RESULTS: HAMD-21 score, IL-1β serum levels as well as LPS-stimulated IL-1β and IL-6 production had decreased significantly at the end of treatment. In contrast, the amount of CD4(+)CD25(hi) cells increased significantly from 2.74% ± 0.88 (mean value ± standard deviation) to 3.54% ± 1.21; p = 0.007. No significant changes in virus-induced IFN-α production was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in CD4(+)CD25(hi) Tregs during antidepressant therapy may be the reason for the decrease in cytokine production and the recovery from depression.
BACKGROUND: Regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4(+)CD25(hi)) are specialized in steering the immune response and cytokine release to maintain tolerance to self-antigens. As cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-α have been shown to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression and cytokine levels have been shown to change during successful antidepressant treatment, we tested the involvement CD4(+)CD25(hi) Tregs in these immunological processes during antidepressant therapy. METHODS: 16 patients suffering from a depressive episode were included into the study and treated with antidepressants according to their doctor's choice. Blood samples were collected during the first week after admission and after 6 weeks of treatment. Therein, we determined plasma levels of IL-1β, and measured IL-1β, IL-6 and IFN-α levels in the stimulated blood by performing a whole blood assay. We distinguished lymphocytes and identified CD4(+)CD25(hi) Tregs by multiparameter flow cytometry. The psychopathological status was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-21). RESULTS: HAMD-21 score, IL-1β serum levels as well as LPS-stimulated IL-1β and IL-6 production had decreased significantly at the end of treatment. In contrast, the amount of CD4(+)CD25(hi) cells increased significantly from 2.74% ± 0.88 (mean value ± standard deviation) to 3.54% ± 1.21; p = 0.007. No significant changes in virus-induced IFN-α production was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in CD4(+)CD25(hi) Tregs during antidepressant therapy may be the reason for the decrease in cytokine production and the recovery from depression.
Authors: Bharathi S Gadad; Manish K Jha; Bruce D Grannemann; Taryn L Mayes; Madhukar H Trivedi Journal: J Psychiatr Res Date: 2017-05-26 Impact factor: 4.791
Authors: Daniel C McFarland; Devika R Jutagir; Andrew H Miller; William Breitbart; Christian Nelson; Barry Rosenfeld Journal: J Natl Compr Canc Netw Date: 2020-04 Impact factor: 11.908
Authors: Helena M Abelaira; Gislaine Z Réus; Fabricia Petronilho; Tatiana Barichello; João Quevedo Journal: Neurochem Res Date: 2014-07-05 Impact factor: 3.996