Impact of Antidepressants on Cytokine Production of Depressed Patients in Vitro

Toxins

Alexander Munzer¹  Ulrich Sack³  Roland Mergl¹  Jeremias Schönherr¹  Charlotte Petersein¹  Stefanie Bartsch¹  Kenneth C. Kirkby²  Katrin Bauer³ 

[1] Department of Psychiatry, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 10, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; E-Mails:;Department of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; E-Mail:;Institute of Immunology, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany; E-Mails:

关键词: cytokines;    depression;    antidepressants;    citalopram;    escitalopram;    mirtazapine;   

DOI  :  10.3390/toxins5112227

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The interplay between immune and nervous systems plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of depression. In depressive episodes, patients show increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. There is limited information on the effect of antidepressant drugs on cytokines, most studies report on a limited sample of cytokines and none have reported effects on IL-22. We systematically investigated the effect of three antidepressant drugs, citalopram, escitalopram and mirtazapine, on secretion of cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α in a whole blood assay in vitro, using murine anti-human CD3 monoclonal antibody OKT3, and 5C3 monoclonal antibody against CD40, to stimulate T and B cells respectively. Citalopram increased production of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-22. Mirtazapine increased IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-22. Escitalopram decreased IL-17 levels. The influence of antidepressants on IL-2 and IL-4 levels was not significant for all three drugs. Compared to escitalopram, citalopram led to higher levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and IL-22; and mirtazapine to higher levels of IL-1β, IL-17, IL-22 and TNF-α. Mirtazapine and citalopram increased IL-22 production. The differing profile of cytokine production may relate to differences in therapeutic effects, risk of relapse and side effects.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.