Cellular immunity and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in major affective disorder: a preliminary study.
To assess cellular immune status and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in patients with major depression, we examined peripheral blood mononuclear cells and measured the plasma levels of four neurohormones. Eleven patients with major depression had increased % of T4 lymphocytes and decreased concanavalin (Con A) stimulated T lymphocyte proliferation when compared with 11 age-, sex-, and race-matched control subjects. Percent of total lymphocytes labeled as all T lymphocytes, all B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells did not differ in the two groups, nor did mitogen-induced interleukin-2 production. These findings support theories of interaction between depression and immune cell function.
Darko
D F
DF
Mental Health Clinic, San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center, CA 92161.
Lucas
A H
AH
Gillin
J C
JC
Risch
S C
SC
Golshan
S
S
Hamburger
R N
RN
Silverman
M B
MB
Janowsky
D S
DS
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000276:immunology*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D007376:Interleukin-2; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone