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[Immune activation in endogenous depression]
A Sluzewka1, J Rybakowski, M Sobieska
1Kliniki Psychiatrii Dorosłych AM w Poznaniu.
Psychiatria Polska
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Patients with depression show elevated immune markers, suggesting an acute phase response. Specific AGP glycosylation patterns indicate more severe, chronic, and treatment-resistant illness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Depression is associated with immune dysregulation.
- Acute phase proteins are markers of inflammation and immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate immune activation in patients with endogenous depression.
- To correlate immune markers with clinical features and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Measured serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), and alpha-1-antychymotrypsin (ACT) in 81 depressed patients and 20 controls.
- Assessed AGP and ACT glycosylation types, and concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R).
Main Results:
- Depressed patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of CRP, ACT, IL-6, and sIL-6R compared to controls.
- Elevated AGP glycosylation (Type I) was observed in one-third of patients, correlating with longer illness duration, greater severity, chronicity, and treatment resistance.
- AGP levels themselves were not significantly different between groups, but glycosylation patterns were.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the existence of excessive immune activation, an acute phase response, during acute depressive episodes.
- Abnormal AGP glycosylation may serve as a biomarker for a more severe and chronic course of depression.
- Immune activation likely plays a role in the pathogenesis and progression of affective disorders.