IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Parkinson's disease

The capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients wit h treated Parkinson's disease (PD) to produce interleukin (IL) IL-1 beta IL -2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and the proliferative response to mitogens, was compared with that from cells from healthy subjects. The p roduction of IL-2 and the mitogen response were significantly lower in PD p atients, whereas the secretion of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were signif icantly enhanced. To evaluate the role of levodopa in creating immunologica l alterations, PBMC of patients and controls were incubated with concentrat ions of the drug extrapolated from those used in clinical practice. Levodop a caused an inhibition of mitogen-induced proliferation, stimulation of IL- 6 and TNF-alpha production, whereas the secretion of IL-1 beta and IL-2 was nor affected. The results of the study provide a further support for the i nterrelationship between the central nervous and immune system. In addition , the data indicate that the immunological alterations found in PD may be p artially attributed to levodopa administration (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.