title: Cellular immunity and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in major affective disorder: a preliminary study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Clinic, San Diego Veterans Administration Medical Center, CA 92161.
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Darko
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Gillin
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Risch
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Golshan
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hamburger
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Janowsky
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone