Interleukin-1β in peripheral monocytes is associated with seizure frequency in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy

In this study, we assessed circulating immune cells and plasma cytokine levels in 15 pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). DRE patients had a significantly higher percentage of CD14⁺ monocytes positive for IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, and TNF-α than controls. Significantly higher intracellular levels of IFN-γ in CD4⁺ T cells and NK cells were also found in DRE patients. The level of IL-1β⁺ CD14⁺ monocytes correlated with seizure frequency, and intracellular levels of IFN-γ in NKT-like cells were negatively correlated with the duration of epilepsy. Peripheral immune cells might be involved in the pathogenesis of DRE.