J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2006 May;45(3):208-213.

Natural Killer T Cells in Acute and Unmedicated Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Pychiatry, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea. jeonleo@olmh.cuk.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea.
  • 3Department of Pharmacology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract


OBJECTIVES
To evaluate an association between depression and altered immunity, we examined peripheral T lymphocyte or natural killer (NK) cell measures plasma ACTH and cortisol using the flow cytometry in acute and unmedicated patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).
METHODS
Forty-two patients with MDD from the outpatient clinic and forty normal controls from the hospital staff were recruited. We applied Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) for depressed subjects. Peripheral T lymphocyte or NK cell measures (CD3, CD4, CD8, or CD56) and plasma hormones (ACTH and cortisol) were obtained from all subjects.
RESULTS
There were no statistical differences in CD3, CD4, CD8, or CD56 between the two subjects. The number of CD56 cells negatively correlated with HAM-D scores (r=-0.42, p<0.01), but did not correlate with HAM-A scores in patients with MDD. The number of CD56 cells showed strong negative correlation with CD4/CD8 (r=-0.47, p<0.01) in the control group, but not in the depressed group. Patients with MDD had higher cortisol level than controls within the normal range.
CONCLUSION
The trait of immunological imbalance and HPA axis abnormality were shown in patients with MDD. Especially, the severity of depression, but not the anxiety, could be reflected as decreased number of CD56 (NK T) cells in acute and unmedicated state.

Keyword

NK cells; HPA axis; Major depressive disorder; Depression; Anxiety

MeSH Terms

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Anxiety
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major*
Flow Cytometry
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Killer Cells, Natural
Lymphocytes
Natural Killer T-Cells*
Plasma
Reference Values
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Hydrocortisone
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