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Complement System

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The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...

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Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by a range of symptoms that significantly impact cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation. Among these, the positive symptoms stand out as they involve the addition or exaggeration of normal mental functions, deviating markedly from typical behavior and perception. Hallucinations and delusions are prominent positive symptoms, each profoundly affecting the individual's experience of reality.
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The complement system in schizophrenia.

Karine R Mayilyan¹, Daniel R Weinberger, Robert B Sim

¹Genes, Cognition and Psychosis Program IRP, NIMH, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA. mayilyank@mail.nih.gov

Drug News & Perspectives

|June 19, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Immunological factors, particularly the complement system, are linked to schizophrenia. Research indicates complement pathway alterations may influence neurodevelopmental processes and disease progression, suggesting new therapeutic avenues.

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Area of Science:

Neuroimmunology
Psychiatric Disorders
Innate and Adaptive Immunity

Background:

Schizophrenia is increasingly linked to immunological factors.
The complement system, a key immune effector, has been investigated for its role since 1989.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the evidence implicating complement system alterations in schizophrenia.
To explore the potential role of complement in neurodevelopmental processes relevant to schizophrenia susceptibility.

Main Methods:

Review of existing studies on complement component activity and allotypes in schizophrenia patients.
Analysis of data on complement classical and lectin pathways in relation to illness course.

Main Results:

Increased activity of complement components C1, C3, and C4 reported in schizophrenia.
Elevated MBL-MASP-2 activity and altered complement factor B (FB*F allotype, FS phenotype) prevalence observed in patients.
Evidence suggests dynamic changes in complement pathways correlating with illness progression and neuro-immune interactions.

Conclusions:

Alterations in complement classical and lectin pathways are likely associated with schizophrenia.
Complement's role in neurogenesis and synaptic remodeling suggests a neurodevelopmental component to schizophrenia.
The multicomponent complement system offers potential targets for immunomodulation and immunocorrection in schizophrenia.