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Immunological dysfunction in schizophrenia: a systematic approach

M Rothermundt1, V Arolt, C Weitzsch

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Lübeck School of Medicine, Germany. rothermundt@immu.mu-luebeck.de

Neuropsychobiology
|July 2, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Schizophrenia pathogenesis may involve immune system changes. This study found no evidence of altered immune cell numbers or interfering serum factors affecting cytokine production in patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • Investigated immunological alterations as a potential factor in schizophrenia pathogenesis.
  • Focused on cellular changes, cytokine production, and interfering variables.
  • Aimed to enhance understanding of immune system interactions in schizophrenia.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare immunological profiles of schizophrenic patients with healthy controls.
  • To assess cellular changes, cytokine levels, and serum factors.
  • To elucidate the role of immune dysregulation in schizophrenia.

Main Methods:

  • Compared 44 acutely ill schizophrenic patients with matched healthy controls.
  • Utilized flow cytometry for cell counts and whole blood assay/ELISA for cytokine production.
  • Employed a criss-cross technique to evaluate interfering serum factors.

Main Results:

  • Leukocyte, lymphocyte, T cell, and B cell counts were within normal limits.
  • Monocyte counts and T cells with IL-2 receptors were slightly elevated.
  • Increased production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma observed; IL-10, sIL-2R, and cortisol levels were unchanged.

Conclusions:

  • Deficient T helper 1 (TH-1) cytokine production in schizophrenia is not due to altered immune cell numbers.
  • Counterregulation by T helper 2 (TH-2) cytokine IL-10 does not explain the deficiency.
  • No interfering serum factors were identified as responsible for impaired cytokine production in vitro.
Abstract

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