Serum interleukin-2 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in generalized social phobia

Alternations in immune function have been described in a variety of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and depression; however, we do not know of any research involving social phobia and the immune system. This preliminary study explores the relationship between social phobia and two well-established immune parameters, serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels, a potent immune and central nervous system modulator, and soluble interleukin-2 receptors (SIL-2Rs), a well-known marker of T-cell activation. Fifteen subjects with generalized social phobia and 15 healthy volunteers had serum IL-2, and SIL-2Rs measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Subjects with social phobia and normal volunteers had similar mean serum IL-2 and SIL-2R levels. The data suggest that, unlike other psychiatric disorders, these immune measures may not be used to differentiate patients with generalized social phobia from normal volunteers.