Cytokines and chemokines profile in encephalitis patients: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Encephalitis is caused by autoimmune or infectious agents marked by brain inflammation. Investigations have reported altered concentrations of the cytokines in encephalitis. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between encephalitis and alterations of cytokine levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. Methods We found possibly suitable studies by searching PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science, systematically from inception to August 2021. 23 articles were included in the meta-analysis. To investigate sources of heterogeneity, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted. The protocol of the study has been registered in PROSPERO with a registration ID of CRD42021289298. Results A total of 23 met our eligibility criteria to be included in the meta-analysis. A total of 12 cytokines were included in the meta-analysis of CSF concentration. Moreover, 5 cytokines were also included in the serum/plasma concentration meta-analysis. According to the analyses, patients with encephalitis had higher CSF amounts of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, CXCL10, and TNF-α than healthy controls. The alteration in the concentration of IL-2, IL-4, IL-17, CCL2, CXCL9, CXCL13, and IFN-γ was not significant. In addition, the serum/plasma levels of the TNF-α were increased in encephalitis patients, but serum/plasma concentration of the IL-6, IL-10, CXCL10, and CXCL13 remained unchanged. Conclusions This meta-analysis provides evidence for higher CSF concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, CXCL10, and TNF-α in encephalitis patients compared to controls. The diagnostic and prognostic value of these cytokines and chemokines should be investigated in future studies.

Amanita muscaria extract potentiates production of proinflammatory cytokines by dsRNA-activated human microglia

“…The electrochemiluminscent analysis indicates some TNF production by LPS stimulated HMC3, but it is very minimal. Since IL-8 is an important chemokine for proinflammatory cells in the brain during severe infection ( Khaboushan et al, 2022 ; Wang et al, 2022 ) and some forms of neurodysfunction ( Abdelaziz et al, 2022 ; de Koning et al, 2022 ), this may represent an important species difference between human and mouse microglial function or may reflect differences between primary microglia and this transformed cell line. Regardless, ours is the first report of IL-8 production by HMC3 in response to poly(I:C).…”

Biomarkers in autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system

“…The elevated levels of cytokines such as CXCL-13, CXCL-10, IL-6 and IL-17A are related to the clinical severity of anti-NMDAR encephalitis ( 100 ). The levels of IFN- γ, IL-17, IL-12 and IL-23 in the CSF of AE patients with positive autoantibodies to cell surface protein are higher than those of AE patients with positive autoantibodies to intracellular antigens ( 101 ).…”

Immune‐mediated encephalitis

“…8 The measurement of cytokines within the CSF has offered an opportunity to look for a range of inflammatory mediators. A meta-analysis of 11 studies identified significant differences in CSF levels of interleukin 6, interleukin 8, interleukin 10, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10, and tumour necrosis factor alpha between patients with encephalitis and controls, 9 with interleukin 10 levels significantly elevated in patients with autoimmune encephalitis compared to infectious encephalitides. 9 As with the novel imaging modalities discussed above, while these advances may offer insight into patterns of inflammation, neither have offered sufficiently consistent results to have clinical utility currently.…”