IL-1β reactivity and the development of severe fatigue after military deployment: a longitudinal study.

Background: It has been suggested that pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling to the brain may contribute to severe fatigue. We propose that not only the level of circulating cytokines, but also increased reactivity of target cells to cytokines contributes to the effect of cytokines on behavior. Based on this concept, we assessed the reactivity of peripheral blood cells to IL-1β in vitro as a novel approach to investigate whether severe fatigue is associated with increased pro-inflammatory signaling.

Glucocorticoid sensitivity of leukocytes predicts PTSD, depressive and fatigue symptoms after military deployment: A prospective study.

Aim: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and severe fatigue may develop in response to severe stress and trauma. These conditions have all been shown to be associated with altered sensitivity of leukocytes for regulation by glucocorticoids (GCs). However, it remains unknown whether sensitivity of leukocytes for GCs is a pre-existing vulnerability factor, or whether GC-sensitivity of leukocytes alters as a consequence of stress and stress-related conditions.

Cytokine production by leukocytes of military personnel with depressive symptoms after deployment to a combat-zone: a prospective, longitudinal study.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is frequently diagnosed in military personnel returning from deployment. Literature suggests that MDD is associated with a pro-inflammatory state. To the best of our knowledge, no prospective, longitudinal studies on the association between development of depressive symptomatology and cytokine production by peripheral blood leukocytes have been published.

Glucocorticoid receptor pathway components predict posttraumatic stress disorder symptom development: a prospective study.

Background: Biological correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have mostly been studied using cross-sectional or posttrauma prospective designs. Therefore, it remains largely unknown whether previously observed biological correlates of PTSD precede trauma exposure. We investigated whether glucocorticoid receptor (GR) pathway components assessed in leukocytes before military deployment represent preexisting vulnerability factors for development of PTSD symptoms.

Cytokine profiling in endometrial secretions: a non-invasive window on endometrial receptivity.

Investigation of human embryo implantation requires a non-disruptive means of studying the endometrium during the window of implantation. This study describes a novel approach of cytokine profiling in endometrial secretions. Endometrial secretions aspirated prior to embryo transfer from 210 women undergoing IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection were analysed by a multiplex immunoassay.