Circulating interleukin-10 and interleukin-12 in Parkinson's disease

Acta Neurol Scand. 2009 May;119(5):332-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2008.01103.x. Epub 2008 Oct 23.

Abstract

Background: Interleukin (IL)-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine produced by activated blood monocytes, macrophages and glial cells. It enhances differentiation and proliferation of T cells and increases production of proinflammatory cytokines. IL-10 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by both lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes including microglia. Recent studies demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of IL-10. There is little information about the involvement of IL-12 or IL-10 in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objectives: The objective of our study was to assess the role of IL-12 as a potential marker of immune reactions in patients with PD and to investigate whether IL-10, an immunosuppressive cytokine, may have a neuroprotective effect in the pathogenesis of PD.

Patients and methods: We measured using immunoassay serum IL-12 and IL-10 levels in 41 patients with PD in comparison with serum levels in 19 healthy subjects (controls) age and sex matched. IL-12 and IL-10 levels were tested for correlation with sex, age, disease duration, Hoehn and Yahr stage and the UPDRS III score.

Results: The PD group presented with significantly increased IL-10 levels when compared with the control group (P = 0.02). The increase observed was not affected by the treatment status. A strong and significant correlation between IL-10 and IL-12 levels was observed in patients with PD (R(S) = 0.7, P < 0.000001).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IL-10 may be involved in the pathogenetic mechanisms of PD. The elevation of IL-10 and the significant correlation between IL-10 and IL-12, a proinflammatory cytokine, may suggest that immunological disturbances and neuroprotective mechanisms are involved in patients with PD.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology
  • Cytoprotection / immunology*
  • Encephalitis / blood
  • Encephalitis / immunology
  • Encephalitis / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Gliosis / blood
  • Gliosis / immunology
  • Gliosis / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance / immunology*
  • Interleukin-10 / analysis
  • Interleukin-10 / blood*
  • Interleukin-12 / analysis
  • Interleukin-12 / blood*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / blood*
  • Parkinson Disease / immunology*
  • Parkinson Disease / physiopathology
  • Phagocytes / immunology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Up-Regulation / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interleukin-12