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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
Modeling Neural Immune Signaling of Episodic and Chronic Migraine Using Spreading Depression In Vitro
Published on: June 13, 2011
Plasma cytokine levels in migraineurs and controls
Francesco Perini1, Giovanni D'Andrea, Elisabetta Galloni
1The Centri Cefalee e Malattie Cerebrovascolri, Ospedale S. Bortolo Ulss 6 Vicenza, Italy.
Background:
The vasoactive peptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is released from primary afferent neurons in the trigemino-vascular circulation during migraine headache. CGRP at physiological concentrations and possibly via stimulation of its selective receptors on T-cells, triggers the secretion of cytokines. Cytokines play an important role in several physiological and pathological settings such as immunology, inflammation, and pain.
Objective:
To investigate plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in migraineurs and healthy controls.
Methods:
We studied 25 migraine patients, during and outside attacks, and 18 healthy control subjects measuring plasma levels of IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), IL-4, IL-1 beta, and IL-2 using ELISA.
Results:
Circulating levels of IL-10, TNFalpha, and IL-1 beta during attacks were significantly higher in comparison to their levels outside attacks (P=.0003, P=.03, and P=.05, respectively). IL-10 and TNF serum levels were higher in patients studied soon after headache onset and lower over time (P=.004 and P=.05).
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that TNFalpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-10 may be involved in the pathogenesis of migraine attacks.
