Increased cytokine release by leucocytes in survivors of stroke at young age.
BACKGROUND
Enhanced stimulus-induced release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by leucocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of ischaemic stroke.


METHODS
We investigated the lipopolysaccharide-induced release of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in whole blood from 20 patients with a history of ischaemic stroke under the age of 50, 20 patients with a history of cervical artery dissection (CAD) and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects.


RESULTS
Release of IL-8 was higher (P = 0.006) and release of TNF-alpha and IL-6 tended to be higher (P < 0.1) in young stroke patients than in control subjects. No increased release existed in CAD patients. Vascular risk factors or history of infection before stroke did not modify IL-8 production. A common T(250) --> A polymorphism in the IL-8 gene promotor was newly identified but did not correlate with the variability of IL-8 release. The C(260) --> T polymorphism in the gene of the monocytic LPS-receptor CD14--a risk factor for myocardial infarction--was not associated with increased cytokine release.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that high inducible release of IL-8--and possibly of TNF-alpha and IL-6--may contribute to the odds of ischaemic stroke in young adults.
Grau
A J
AJ
Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. Armin_Grau@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Aulmann
M
M
Lichy
C
C
Meiser
H
H
Buggle
F
F
Brandt
T
T
Grond-Ginsbach
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha