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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: November 19, 2020

Immune system disturbances in schizophrenia.

Szatmár Horváth¹, Károly Mirnics²

¹Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee; Department of Psychiatry, University of Szeged, 6725 Szeged, Hungary.

Biological Psychiatry

|July 30, 2013

Summary

Schizophrenia involves immune system dysregulation, with specific gene expression changes in the brain. Interferon inducible transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) may be a key factor and a potential drug target for schizophrenia treatment.

Keywords:

Blood-brain barrier CD14 CHI3L1 IFITM IFITM3 SERPINA3 blood vessels immune meninges pia mater postmortem schizophrenia

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Derivation, Expansion, Cryopreservation and Characterization of Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

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Published on: November 19, 2020

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra

Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra

Published on: September 8, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Immunology
Genetics

Background:

Schizophrenia is linked to immune system dysregulation affecting innate and adaptive immunity.
Brain gene expression studies reveal region-specific changes in schizophrenia.
Serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade A member 3 (SERPINA3) and interferon inducible transmembrane protein (IFITM) family transcripts are consistently induced in the prefrontal cortex.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of immune system dysregulation in schizophrenia pathophysiology.
To explore the significance of SERPINA3 and IFITM gene family expression in schizophrenia.
To identify potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

Analysis of epidemiological, genetic, transcriptome, postmortem, and peripheral biomarker data.
Review of therapeutic studies related to schizophrenia.
Examination of gene expression patterns in the prefrontal cortex.

Main Results:

Evidence points to a dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems in schizophrenia.
Consistent induction of SERPINA3 and IFITM transcripts in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia subjects.
IFITM gene family, particularly IFITM3, is implicated in maternal immune activation and expressed in non-neuronal cells like endothelial cells and meninges.

Conclusions:

Immune system changes actively contribute to schizophrenia symptoms.
Non-neuronal cells, specifically endothelial cells and meninges, may play a crucial role in schizophrenia pathophysiology.
IFITM3 presents a promising, knowledge-based drug target for novel schizophrenia treatments.