Cited by 119Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesTryptophan and brain disordersStress Responses and Cortisol

A meta-analysis of cytokines in suicidal behavior

Ducasse, Déborah, Olié, Emilie, Guillaume, Sébastien, Artéro, Sylvaine, Courtet, Philippe·2015·Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

Abstract

Background We conducted the first meta-analysis of studies comparing the plasma and CSF concentrations of cytokines in suicidal patients vs. non-suicidal patients or healthy controls.Methods We searched Medline, Web of Science, and PsycINFO from 1965 to November 2014 for relevant studies. Manual searches of references and unpublished data were also included. Suicidal patients included severe suicide ideators and suicide attempters.Results Eleven articles were available for the meta-analysis, for a total sample size of 494 suicidal patients, 497 non-suicidal patients and 398 healthy controls. Levels of 6 independent plasma cytokines (IL2, IL6, TNFalpha, IFNgamma, IL4, TGFbeta) were meta-analyzed for plasma studies comparing suicidal vs. both controls. IL8 level was meta-analyzed for cerebrospinal fluid studies comparing suicidal patients with healthy controls. We reported with medium effect size, that suicidal patients had: (1) lower IL2 plasma levels than both non-suicidal patients and healthy controls (medium effect size); (2) lower IL4 and higher TGFbeta plasma levels than healthy controls.Conclusion Our results promote the hypothesis of altered inflammatory markers in suicidal patients, for both pro-inflammatory (IL2) and anti-inflammatory (IL4 and TGFbeta) cytokines.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.004

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  • Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers linked to suicide risk include elevated CRP, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, proinflammatory interleukins, cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and VEGF, and low levels of anti-inflammatory IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ in suicidal individuals.

    “Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers linked to suicide risk include elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, proinflammatory interleukins (IL), cytokines that regulate the immune response (e.g., IL-1β and IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), tissue growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and low levels of the anti-inflammatory IL-2, IL-4,”

    From A brain-centric model of suicidal behavior (2020) · cites this paper as [200]

  • Most data were generated from peripheral blood without differentiating whole blood, serum and plasma; one study involved three IRFs in the brain, and four meta-analyses were analysed in both blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

    “Most data were generated from peripheral blood without differentiating whole blood, serum and plasma; one study involved three IRFs in the brain29, and four meta-analyses were analysed in both blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)13,29–31.”

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Authors
Ducasse, D., Olié, E., Guillaume, S., Artéro, S., & Courtet, P.
Affiliations
Inserm (FR)
Corresponding author
Ducasse, Déborah
Venue
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2015-05
Volume
46
Pages
203-211
ISSN
0889-1591 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2071765986
Cited by
119
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 4
FWCI
1.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Brain Behavior and Immunity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
Keywords
suicidal behavior, cytokines, inflammation, interleukin-2, IL-4, TGF-beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, TNF-α, interferon-gamma, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma cytokines, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, inflammatory markers
MeSH terms
Humans, Suicide, Attempted, Cytokines

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