Serum Cytokine Profiles of Children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Shows the Evidence of Autoimmunity

Abstract

Background:Previous reports have described an association between autoimmunity and primary obsessive compulsive disorder. This study aimed to investigate any differences in the levels of T helper 1, 2, and 17 effector cell cytokines between obsessive compulsive disorder patients and the control group.Methods:The study included 34 children (23 males, 11 females), aged between 7 and 17 years, with a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder prior to receiving treatment. The control group consisted of age- and gender-matched children. Study participants were assessed using the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Present and Lifetime version, Children’s Yale Brown Obsession Compulsion Scale, and Children’s Depression Inventory. Cytokine serum concentrations were measured using the BD Cytometric Bead Array Human Th1/Th2/Th17 Cytokine Kit.Results:Interleukin-17A, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-2 levels were significantly higher in obsessive compulsive disorder patients, However, there was no correlation between T helper 1 and 17 cytokine profiles in the obsessive compulsive disorder group. The duration and severity of obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms were not significantly associated with interleukin-17A, interferon-gamma-γ, interleukin-10, interleukin-6, interleukin-4, and interleukin-2 levels. Interestingly, a negative correlation was found between tumor necrosis factor-α levels and Clinical Global Impression scores.Conclusions:These findings suggest, in some cases, obsessive compulsive disorder may develop on a background of autoimmunity, and interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-17A may play a role in these autoimmune processes. Therefore, we believe it is important to investigate for obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms in patients with autoimmune disease and, conversely, autoimmune diseases in obsessive compulsive disorder patients.

Individualized Immunological Data for Precise Classification of OCD Patients

“…Further studies [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ] were carried out enabling a meta-analysis [ 31 ] ( Table 1 ), which found decreased IL-1β levels and decreased TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α) levels in non-depressed OCD patients (but not in OCD patients with possible comorbid depression), and increased IL-6 levels in adult medication-free OCD patients (but not in OCD children with possible medication use) compared to controls. More recently, discrepancies were found with this previous meta-analysis concerning TNF-α with increased levels in OCD patients [ 32 , 33 , 34 ] ( Table 1 ). Despite these discrepancies, the increased IL-6 levels seem a consistent result as they were replicated in a recent study [ 34 , 35 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

An Update on the Relationship Between the Gut Microbiome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

“…66,67 The only study evaluating primary pediatric OCD reported increased levels of IL-17A (P = .03), TNF-alpha (P = .01), and IL-2 (P = 0.02) in patients with OCD than in controls; symptom severity and illness duration were not significantly correlated with cytokine levels. 68 This may be further supported by the finding in patients with earlyonset OCD revealing increased production of inflammatory cytokines by monocytes when stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or dexamethasone and LPS. 69 As such, patients with OCD may possess an intrinsic vulnerability to monocyte activation, which may generate an increased inflam-matory response.…”

Neuroinflammation and Disrupted Synaptic Plasticity, the Main Pathological Processes in Multiple Sclerosis and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: An Enrichment Analysis

“…Studies have shown that variation in the TNFRSF1A gene can contribute to the progression of MS [72]. Simsek et al suggested that low levels of TNFα through the TNFRSF1A may cause OCD or worsen it [73]. Although further studies on the changes in this gene in OCD can be valuable.…”