Abstract | BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of cluster headache (CH) is still largely unknown. Immunological mechanisms have been suggested to be of importance. AIM: This study aimed to investigate cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) as a possible marker of immune system involvement in the pathophysiology of CH. METHODS: Eight episodic patients with CH and 16 healthy headache-free control subjects matched for age and gender were studied. Venous blood samples were drawn from the patients with CH on three occasions; during active period between headache attacks, during an attack and in remission. Venous blood samples were drawn once from each control subject. We analysed IL-2 gene expression, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Patients with CH had significantly increased relative IL-2 gene expression levels between headache attacks during active CH period (median 9.9 IL-2 cDNA/ glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase cDNA; IQR 6.2-10.3) compared to during attacks (median 2.8; IQR 0.7-3.2, P = 0.012), remission (median 1.6; IQR 0.9-1.8, P = 0.017) and controls (median 0.9; IQR 0.6-1.9, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The increment of IL-2 found during the active CH period may support a role for this cytokine and subsequently for the immune system in the pathophysiology of CH. An expansion of this study to a broader group of cytokines and a larger patient cohort is warranted.
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Authors | A Steinberg, C Sjöstrand, A Sominanda, A Fogdell-Hahn, A I M Nilsson Remahl |
Journal | Acta neurologica Scandinavica
(Acta Neurol Scand)
Vol. 124
Issue 2
Pg. 130-4
(Aug 2011)
ISSN: 1600-0404 [Electronic] Denmark |
PMID | 20880293
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Analysis of Variance
- Case-Control Studies
- Cluster Headache
(genetics, physiopathology)
- Female
- Gene Expression
(physiology)
- Humans
- Interleukin-2
(genetics, metabolism)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Statistics, Nonparametric
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