Correlation of cytokine secretion by mononuclear cells of Alzheimer patients and their disease stage

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 147 - 152
• Main Authors: Huberman, M., Shalit, F., Roth-Deri, I., Gutman, B., Brodie, C., Kott, E., Sredni, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier B.V 01.07.1994; Amsterdam Elsevier; New York, NY
• Subjects: Aged; Alzheimer Disease - metabolism; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer's disease; Biological and medical sciences; Cytokines - metabolism; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma - metabolism; Interferon-γ; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-2; Interleukin-3; Interleukins - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Monocytes - metabolism; Neurology; Phytohemagglutinins; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Tumor necrosis factor; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism; Interleukin-3; Interleukin-1; Interleukin-2; Tumor necrosis factor; Interferon-γ; Alzheimer's disease; Human; Nervous system diseases; Correlation; Mononuclear cell; Alzheimer disease; Pathogenesis; Secretion; Central nervous system disease; Cytokine; Degenerative disease; Cerebral disorder
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/0165-5728(94)90108-2

Cytokine secretion by human mononuclear cells (MNC) was investigated in age-matched controls and in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD patients were divided into two study groups: ‘mild’ and ‘moderately severe’. A significant increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion was found in AD patients in the moderately severe stage of the disease, whereas in the mild stage of the disease there was a significant decrease in interleukin-3 activity (IL-3) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels. No significant differences were found in the level of production of interleukin-1 (IL-1β). Our results demonstrate the existence of defective immune functions in AD patients which are correlated with the clinical condition of these patients.