Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Quantitative 3D In Silico Modeling (q3DISM) of Cerebral Amyloid-beta Phagocytosis in Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: December 26, 2016
Decline of immune responsiveness: a pathogenetic factor in Alzheimer's disease?
Elke Richartz1, Elke Stransky, Anil Batra
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tuebingen, Osianderstr. 24, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany. elke.richartz@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Abstract:
The involvement of immunological alterations in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is widely discussed. Hitherto, findings on systemic immunological alterations are inconsistent. We measured the concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, and of the soluble receptors sIL-2r, sIL-6r, and sTNF-alphar, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of 20 Alzheimer patients and 21 controls. Moreover, we studied levels of the pro-inflammatory IL-6, Il-12, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha, and of the anti-inflammatory IL-5 and IL-13 in stimulated blood cell cultures from 27 AD patients and 25 controls. The levels in CSF and serum were diminished in AD or under detection limit. In mitogen-stimulated blood cultures we found a significant decrease of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the AD group. Our data suggest a general decline of immune responsiveness in AD. Based on the recent research, an impaired immune response may be considered as a pathogenetically relevant factor in AD. With respect to the putative role of ageing in AD, we assume a premature immunosenescence contributing to the Alzheimer's pathology.
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Dementia l: Introduction

