Increased levels of serum soluble L-selectin in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia

Numerous studies have linked schizophrenia with altered immune function. The selectin family of adhesion molecules plays a prominent role in immune/inflammatory responses. To further study the immunological processes in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, we determined the serum levels of selectins in patients with schizophrenia. For specificity, we also investigated selectin levels in patients with major depression.

We studied 23 unmedicated patients with schizophrenia, 17 unmedicated patients with major depression, and 36 healthy subjects. The serum levels of three types of soluble-form selectin (sE-, sL- and sP-selectin) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Serum sL-selectin levels were significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia than in either control subjects (p=0.005) or patients with major depression (p=0.02). No significant difference was found with regard to the level of either serum sE-selectin or sP-selectin.

Elevated sL-selectin levels in patients with schizophrenia may represent immune system dysfunction and may be involved in the pathogenesis of the illness.