CORRELATION OF CYTOKINE SECRETION BY MONONUCLEAR-CELLS OF ALZHEIMER PATIENTS AND THEIR DISEASE STAGE

Cytokine secretion by human mononuclear cells (MNC) was investigated i n age-matched controls and in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD patients were divided into two study groups: 'mild' and 'moderately severe'. A significant increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma int erferon (IFN-gamma) secretion was found in AD patients in the moderate ly severe stage of the disease, whereas in the mild stage of the disea se there was a significant decrease in interleukin-3 activity (IL-3) a nd tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels. No significant differences were found in the level of production of interleukin-1 (IL-1 beta). Our re sults demonstrate the existence of defective immune functions in AD pa tients which are correlated with the clinical condition of these patie nts.