title: Low perceived social support is associated with CD8+CD57+ lymphocyte expansion and increased TNF-α levels.
abstract: Social support has been supposed to have a positive impact on the function of the immune system. However, the relationship between perceived social support and immune function has not yet been fully investigated. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the link between perceived social support and lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokines. 232 healthy subjects provided a blood sample and completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) questionnaire. Lymphocyte immunophenotypes and cytokines were determined. Significantly increased CD8+CD57+ lymphocytes and TNF-α levels were found in group with low perceived social support. Multivariate linear regression corrected for possible confounders confirmed a significant role of perceived social support in predicting the number of CD8+CD57+ lymphocyte and TNF-α levels. This study supports the association between perceived social support and immune function. In particular, poor social support may be related to a state of chronic inflammation sustained by CD8+CD57+ lymphocyte expansion and increased TNF-α levels.
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Workers Service, ASUR, Area Vasta No. 2, 60025 Loreto, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Copertaro
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Molecular Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette, 60020 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3901-5376
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bracci
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Molecular Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette, 60020 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Manzella
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Workers Service, ASUR, Area Vasta No. 2, 60025 Loreto, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbaresi
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Workers Service, ASUR, Area Vasta No. 2, 60025 Loreto, Italy.
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Copertaro
authors.affiliation: Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Molecular Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Torrette, 60020 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Lory
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santarelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007107:Immune System; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007249:Inflammation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010465:Perception; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D018959:CD57 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D006854:Hydrocortisone