Cytokine production in panic disorder patients

Based on findings that stress and anxiety may modulate immune function, we compared the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells between 24 patients with nonmajor depre ssed panic disorders, 9 with agoraphobia and 15 without, and 19 healthy vol unteers. No differences in the production of these cytokines was noted betw een the patients with panic disorders and the volunteers or between the pat ients with and without agoraphobia. However, in the patients, a negative co rrelation was found for interleukin-3 production with severity of state anx iety, but not with trait anxiety or depression. This finding indicates that interleukin-3 levels may be sensitive to the presence of anxiety and stres s.