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.
Bossù, P., Ciaramella, A., Salani, F., Bizzoni, F., Varsi, E., Di Iulio, F., et al. (2008). Interleukin-18 produced by peripheral blood cells is increased in Alzheimer's disease and correlates with cognitive impairment. BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY, 22(4), 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
BERNARDINI, SERGIO;CALTAGIRONE, CARLO;
2008-05-01
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.
