Interleukin-1β in peripheral monocytes is associated with seizure frequency in pediatric drug-resistant epilepsy

In this study, we assessed circulating immune cells and plasma cytokine levels in 15 pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). DRE patients had a significantly higher percentage of CD14(+) monocytes positive for IL-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, and TNF-alpha than controls. Significantly higher intracellular levels of IFN-gamma in CD4(+) T cells and NK cells were also found in DRE patients. The level of IL-1 beta(+) CD14(+) monocytes correlated with seizure frequency, and intracellular levels of IFN-gamma in NKT-like cells were negatively correlated with the duration of epilepsy. Peripheral immune cells might be involved in the pathogenesis of DRE.