Interleukin-2 gene expression in different phases of episodic cluster headache--a pilot study.

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.

• 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)
• Copyright: © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Chemical References

• Interleukin-2

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