Depression and reduced natural killer cytotoxicity: a longitudinal study of depressed patients and control subjects

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1045-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Irwin ◽  
Ute Lacher ◽  
Cindy Caldwell

SynopsisCross-sectional studies have demonstrated that natural killer (NK) cell activity is reduced in depression. To extend these observations and examine further the association between severity of depressive symptoms and values of NK activity, this study used a longitudinal case control design and assessed NK cytotoxicity at intake and at follow-up 6 months after discharge from the hospital in depressed patients and control subjects. From acute hospitalization to follow-up, depression scores significantly (P < 0·01) decreased following treatment in the depressed patients but did not change in the control subjects. NK activity significantly (P < 0·05) increased from intake to follow-up in the depressives while lytic activity did not change in the controls. At intake NK activity was significantly (P < 0·01) reduced in the depressed patients as compared to values in the controls, while at follow-up cytotoxicity was similar between the two groups. These longitudinal data suggest that a reduction of NK cytotoxicity is temporally associated with the state of acute depression.

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (28) ◽  
pp. 7105-7113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Lutgendorf ◽  
Anil K. Sood ◽  
Barrie Anderson ◽  
Stephanie McGinn ◽  
Heena Maiseri ◽  
...  

Purpose Psychosocial stress has been related to impaired immunity in cancer patients. However, the extent to which these relationships exist in immune cells in the tumor microenvironment in humans has not been explored. We examined relationships among distress, social support, and natural killer (NK) cell activity in ovarian cancer patients in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), ascitic fluid, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL). Patients and Methods Patients awaiting surgery for a pelvic mass suspected of being ovarian cancer completed psychological questionnaires and gave a presurgical sample of peripheral blood. Samples of tumor and ascites were taken during surgery, lymphocytes were then isolated, and NK cytotoxicity and percentage were determined. The final sample, which was confirmed by surgical diagnosis, included 42 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and 23 patients with benign masses. Results Peripheral NK cell activity was significantly lower among ovarian cancer patients than in patients with benign masses. Among ovarian cancer patients, NK cytotoxicity in TIL was significantly lower than in PBMC or ascitic fluid. Social support was related to higher NK cytotoxicity in PBMC and TIL, adjusting for stage. Distress was related to lower NK cytotoxicity in TIL. A multivariate model indicated independent associations of both distress and social support with NK cell activity in TIL. Conclusion Psychosocial factors, such as social support and distress, are associated with changes in the cellular immune response, not only in peripheral blood, but also at the tumor level. These relationships were more robust in TIL. These findings support the presence of stress influences in the tumor microenvironment.


2005 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. S13-S13
Author(s):  
Paolo Prolo ◽  
Paola Perotti ◽  
Marisa Pautasso ◽  
Maria Luisa Sartori ◽  
Thomas Faccalini ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2930
Author(s):  
Jung Min Cho ◽  
Dokyeong Yoo ◽  
Jeong-Yong Lee ◽  
Mi-Sun Oh ◽  
Ki-Chan Ha ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to re-validate the changes in natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and cytokines related to T cells after Sil-Q1 (SQ; silk peptide) supplementation in a larger pool of Korean adults with minimized daily dose of SQ and controlling seasonal influence compared to the previous study. A total of 130 subjects were randomly assigned (1:1) to consume either 7.5 g of SQ or placebo for 8 weeks. NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokines were measured at T0 (baseline) and T8 (follow-up). Comparing the NK cell cytotoxicity values at T0 and T8 within each group, the cytotoxicity at all effector cell (E) to target cell (T) ratios of 10:1, 5:1, 2.5:1, and 1.25:1 was significantly increased in the SQ group at T8. Additionally, significant differences in the changed value (Δ, subtract baseline values from follow-up values) comparison between the groups at E:T = 10:1, 5:1, and 2.5:1 were found. As a secondary endpoint, the interleukin (IL)-12 level in the SQ group was significantly increased for 8 weeks, and Δ IL-12 in the SQ group was greater than in the placebo group. In conclusion, the present study showed considerable practical implications of SQ supplementation. Thus, SQ is an effective and safe functional food supplement for enhancing immune function.


1999 ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Masera ◽  
A Staurenghi ◽  
ML Sartori ◽  
A Angeli

BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cells are CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+) bone-marrow-derived lymphocytes mediating first-line defence by direct cytotoxicity against various types of target cells without prior immunization. NK cell activity is positively regulated by immune interferon (IFN-gamma); among hormones, glucocorticoids are potent in vitro and in vivo inhibitors, whereas ACTH and beta-endorphin in many experimental circumstances enhance NK cytotoxicity. DESIGN: We measured NK cytotoxicity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained at 0800h and 2000h from 26 patients with Cushing's syndrome (12 pituitary-dependent, 12 adrenal-dependent and two dependent on ectopic ACTH secretion). In vitro responsiveness to IFN-gamma or cortisol was also tested. METHODS: NK activity was measured in a 4-h direct cytotoxicity assay using K562 cells as targets. Plasma ACTH, serum and urinary free cortisol were concomitantly measured with commercially available kits. RESULTS: Spontaneous activity and responsiveness to IFN-gamma or cortisol were significantly greater in 15 age- and sex-matched controls than in Cushing's patients at 0800h. In pituitary-dependent Cushing's patients, plasma ACTH correlated positively with mean levels of spontaneous NK activity (r=0.64, P<0.05) and negatively with cortisol-dependent percentage inhibition (r=-0.69, P<0.02). In adrenal-dependent Cushing's patients, a negative correlation was observed between levels of spontaneous NK activity and urinary free cortisol (r=-0.67, P<0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that excess endogenous glucocorticoids affect spontaneous NK cell activity and responsiveness to exogenous IFN-gamma or cortisol. The differential patterns observed between pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent groups are compatible with a positive immunomodulatory role of pituitary pro-opiomelanocortin-derived peptides that effectively counterbalance, at least partially, glucocorticoid immunosuppression.


1983 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Yoda ◽  
Tsukasa Abe ◽  
Akio Tashiro ◽  
Shinsaku Hirosawa ◽  
Kenichi Kawada ◽  
...  

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 658
Author(s):  
Federico Corvi ◽  
Federico Zicarelli ◽  
Matteo Airaldi ◽  
Salvatore Parrulli ◽  
Mariano Cozzi ◽  
...  

Background: To compare four different optical coherence tomography (OCT) devices for visualization of retinal and subretinal layers in highly myopic eyes. Methods: In this prospective, observational, cross-sectional study, consecutive patients with high myopia and control subjects were imaged by four OCT devices: Spectralis OCT2, PlexElite 2.0 100 kHz, PlexElite 2.0 200 kHz and the Canon Xephilio OCT-S1. The acquisition protocol for comparison consisted of single vertical and horizontal line scans centered on the fovea. Comparison between the devices in the extent of visible retina, presence of conjugate image or mirror artifacts, visibility of the sclerochoroidal interface and retrobulbar tissue. Results: 30 eyes with high myopia and 30 control subjects were analyzed. The visualized RPE length was significantly different between the OCT devices with Xephilio OCT-S1 imaging the largest extent (p < 0.0001). The proportion of eyes with conjugate image artifact was significantly higher with the Spectralis OCT (p < 0.0001), and lower with the PlexElite 200 kHz (p < 0.0001). No difference in visibility of the sclerochoroidal interface was noted among instruments. The retrobulbar tissue was visible in a higher proportion of eyes using swept-source PlexElite 100 kHz and 200 kHz (p < 0.007) compared to the other devices. Conclusions: In highly myopic eyes, the four OCT devices demonstrated significant differences in the extent of the retina imaged, in the prevalence of conjugate image artifact, and in the visualization of the retrobulbar tissue.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Feng ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Bo-Hao Zhang ◽  
Hui Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Brain ischemia compromises natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immune defenses by acting on neurogenic and intracellular pathways. Less is known about the posttranscriptional mechanisms that regulate NK cell activation and cytotoxicity after ischemic stroke. Methods Using a NanoString nCounter® miRNA array panel, we explored the microRNA (miRNA) profile of splenic NK cells in mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion. Differential gene expression and function/pathway analysis were applied to investigate the main functions of predicted miRNA target genes. miR-1224 inhibitor/mimics transfection and passive transfer of NK cells were performed to confirm the impact of miR-1224 in NK cells after brain ischemia. Results We observed striking dysregulation of several miRNAs in response to ischemia. Among those miRNAs, miR-1224 markedly increased 3 days after ischemic stroke. Transfection of miR-1224 mimics into NK cells resulted in suppression of NK cell activity, while an miR-1224 inhibitor enhanced NK cell activity and cytotoxicity, especially in the periphery. Passive transfer of NK cells treated with an miR-1224 inhibitor prevented the accumulation of a bacterial burden in the lungs after ischemic stroke, suggesting an enhanced immune defense of NK cells. The transcription factor Sp1, which controls cytokine/chemokine release by NK cells at the transcriptional level, is a predicted target of miR-1224. The inhibitory effect of miR-1224 on NK cell activity was blocked in Sp1 knockout mice. Conclusions These findings indicate that miR-1224 may serve as a negative regulator of NK cell activation in an Sp1-dependent manner; this mechanism may be a novel target to prevent poststroke infection specifically in the periphery and preserve immune defense in the brain.


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