Abstract
We investigated the phenotype of peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with bipolar disorder type II in different phases of the disease in order to check whether there are specific changes in the immune parameters. Lymphocytes subpopulations were analyzed ex vivo with flow cytometry in patients in euthymic, depression or hypomanic phase of the disease and compared with healthy controls. All BD patients were characterized by lower percentage of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ cells compared with healthy people. But only patients in depression and remission had higher percentage of B cells (CD19+ cells) compared with healthy people. The percentage of CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD25+ cells was decreased in patients in hypomanic phase compared with healthy control. Patients in remission were characterized by increased concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 and decreased level of TNF in blood serum. Significant correlations between immunologic parameters and the results of Hamilton or Young scale have also been found. Our results demonstrate that there are significant differences in lymphocyte subpopulations which depend on the phase of the disease the patient is currently in.
Highlights
Psychoneuroimmunology is an interdisciplinary branch of biomedical science that studies the relationship between the nervous system, endocrine and immunology and their interaction with the psyche[1]
We investigated the concentration of cytokines (IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-17A, IL-10) in the serum of Bipolar disorder (BD) patients and healthy individuals
The results of this study confirm that there are changes in lymphocyte subpopulation ex vivo, which strongly depend on the phase of bipolar disorder the patient is currently in
Summary
Psychoneuroimmunology is an interdisciplinary branch of biomedical science that studies the relationship between the nervous system, endocrine and immunology and their interaction with the psyche (mainly stress and its consequences)[1]. Lymphocytes can bind different neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, dopamine, adrenaline, GABA, acetylcholine, and peptides (substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin, neuropeptide Y)[4,5,6] These substances control most of the functions of the immune cells such as differentiation, proliferation, antigen expression and cytokine production[4,6,7,8]. Ye et al reported that plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α are significantly higher in depressed patients than in healthy people[11]. Studies have shown that compared with healthy people, BD patients present increased plasma levels of IL-4, IL-10 as well as IL-6 and TNF-α19. Barbosa et al observed that BD patients exhibit higher percentage of activated CD4+CD25+ T cells[22]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
