Peripheral immuno-inflammatory abnormalities in ultra-high risk of developing psychosis

Immuno-inflammatory imbalances have been documented in schizophrenia, but very little is known about the immunological changes prior to the onset of disease.

This work aimed to compare serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in young subjects at ultra-high risk (UHR) of developing psychosis with age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

A total of 12 UHR and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) subjects were enrolled in this study. Clinical profile was assessed using the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States (CAARMS), Semi-Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis-I (SCID-I) or Kiddie-SADS-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. Serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IFN-γ, and IL-17 were measured by flow cytometry using the Th1/Th2/Th17 cytometric bead array.

Compared with the healthy control group, patients in UHR showed increased IL-6 levels (Z=-2.370, p=0.018) and decreased IL-17 levels in serum (Z=-1.959, p=0.050). Levels of IL-17 positively correlated to the values in GAF symptoms (rho=0.632, p=0.028).

Our results suggest that immunological imbalances could be present in the early stages of psychosis, including in at-risk stages. Future studies should replicate and expand these results.