A body of evidence indicates that inflammation plays a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis. IL-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced in the brain, emerging to be implicated in AD. Although no differences in circulating IL-18 levels were measured between AD patients and controls, a significant increased production of IL-18 was obtained from stimulated blood mononuclear cells of AD patients. This was true particularly in AD subjects carrying the C/C genotype at the -607 position of IL-18 gene promoter. Furthermore, a significant correlation between IL-18 production and cognitive decline was observed in AD patients. Overall, these data indicate that IL-18-related inflammatory pathways, probably also in virtue of polymorphic IL-18 gene influence, are exacerbated in AD patients, and that this cytokine may indeed participate in pathogenic processes leading to dementia.
Interleukin-18 produced by peripheral blood cells is increased in Alzheimer's disease and correlates with cognitive impairment / Bossu, P; Ciaramella, A; Salani, F; Bizzoni, F; Varsi, E; DI IULIO, F; Giubilei, Franco; Gianni, W; Trequattrini, A; Moro, Ml; Bernardini, S; Caltagirone, C; Spalletta, G.. - In: BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY. - ISSN 0889-1591. - STAMPA. - 22:(2008), pp. 487-492. [10.1016/j.bbi.2007.10.001]
Interleukin-18 produced by peripheral blood cells is increased in Alzheimer's disease and correlates with cognitive impairment
GIUBILEI, Franco;
2008
Abstract
A body of evidence indicates that inflammation plays a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis. IL-18 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine produced in the brain, emerging to be implicated in AD. Although no differences in circulating IL-18 levels were measured between AD patients and controls, a significant increased production of IL-18 was obtained from stimulated blood mononuclear cells of AD patients. This was true particularly in AD subjects carrying the C/C genotype at the -607 position of IL-18 gene promoter. Furthermore, a significant correlation between IL-18 production and cognitive decline was observed in AD patients. Overall, these data indicate that IL-18-related inflammatory pathways, probably also in virtue of polymorphic IL-18 gene influence, are exacerbated in AD patients, and that this cytokine may indeed participate in pathogenic processes leading to dementia.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
