Cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in children and adolescents with a tic disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Dysregulation of the immune system may play a role in tic disorders. We screened for immune disturbances by investigating serum levels of cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with a tic disorder.


METHODS
Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL2R), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) of 66 children and adolescents with a tic disorder and 71 healthy volunteers were compared. We also addressed possible relations between concentrations of the immune markers and severity of tics and comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms.


RESULTS
Median serum concentrations did not differ significantly between patients and healthy subjects. Serum IL-2 concentrations were positively associated with tic severity ratings; serum IL-12 concentrations negatively with severity ratings of obsessive-compulsive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary findings do not reveal major immune activation in children with a tic disorder but may suggest more subtle disturbances related to disease expression.
Bos-Veneman
Netty G P
NG
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 660, 9700 AR, Groningen, The Netherlands. netty1975@live.nl
Bijzet
Johan
J
Limburg
Pieter C
PC
Minderaa
Ruud B
RB
Kallenberg
Cees G
CG
Hoekstra
Pieter J
PJ
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012995:Solubility; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines