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Wadhawan A, Reynolds MA, Makkar H, Scott AJ, Potocki E, Hoisington AJ, Brenner LA, Dagdag A, Lowry CA, Dwivedi Y, Postolache TT. Periodontal Pathogens and Neuropsychiatric Health. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:1353-1397. [PMID: 31924157 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200110161105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence incriminates low-grade inflammation in cardiovascular, metabolic diseases, and neuropsychiatric clinical conditions, all important causes of morbidity and mortality. One of the upstream and modifiable precipitants and perpetrators of inflammation is chronic periodontitis, a polymicrobial infection with Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) playing a central role in the disease pathogenesis. We review the association between P. gingivalis and cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric illness, and the molecular mechanisms potentially implicated in immune upregulation as well as downregulation induced by the pathogen. In addition to inflammation, translocation of the pathogens to the coronary and peripheral arteries, including brain vasculature, and gut and liver vasculature has important pathophysiological consequences. Distant effects via translocation rely on virulence factors of P. gingivalis such as gingipains, on its synergistic interactions with other pathogens, and on its capability to manipulate the immune system via several mechanisms, including its capacity to induce production of immune-downregulating micro-RNAs. Possible targets for intervention and drug development to manage distal consequences of infection with P. gingivalis are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Wadhawan
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington, D.C. 20032, United States
| | - Mark A Reynolds
- Department of Advanced Oral Sciences & Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore 21201, United States
| | - Hina Makkar
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Alison J Scott
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, United States
| | - Eileen Potocki
- VA Maryland Healthcare System, Baltimore VA Medical Center, Baltimore, United States
| | - Andrew J Hoisington
- Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, United States
| | - Lisa A Brenner
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, United States.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, Aurora, United States.,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, United States
| | - Aline Dagdag
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Christopher A Lowry
- Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, United States.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, Aurora, United States.,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, United States.,Department of Integrative Physiology, Center for Neuroscience and Center for Microbial Exploration, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, United States.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Aurora, United States
| | - Yogesh Dwivedi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Teodor T Postolache
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States.,Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, Aurora, United States.,Military and Veteran Microbiome: Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Aurora, United States.,Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, VA Capitol Health Care Network, Baltimore, United States
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Shilov YE, Miroshnichenko II. [Neopterin as a potential biomarker in neuropsychiatry]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2020; 120:125-129. [PMID: 33244968 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2020120101125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The importance of finding predictors or biomarkers of neuropsychiatric pathology, as well as methods of its prevention, treatment and early diagnosis is beyond question. The level of neopterin in body fluids is one of the possible biomarkers. Increased levels of neopterin in biological fluids (e.g., serum, cerebrospinal fluid or urine) are closely associated with various diseases associated with cellular immune response. The data presented in the review indicate the relevance of the study of neopterin concentrations in body fluids in patients with mental illness for the development of diagnostic and prognostic tests or as a pharmacodynamic marker of drug action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu E Shilov
- Mental Health Research Center, Moscow, Russia
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Wadhawan A, Hill DE, Dagdag A, Mohyuddin H, Donnelly P, Jones JL, Postolache TT. No evidence for airborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in a very high prevalence area in Lancaster County. Pteridines 2018; 29:172-178. [PMID: 31649420 PMCID: PMC6812650 DOI: 10.1515/pteridines-2018-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been associated with acute food-borne illness, chronic low-grade inflammation, neuropsychiatric conditions and reactivation of chronic latent infection in immunocompetent hosts. Primary infection with T. gondii in pregnant women can lead to congenital toxoplasmosis. In addition to well-known oral tissue-cyst or oocyst ingestion, we hypothesized that the very high prevalence of T. gondii in certain populations exposed to agricultural dust could be, in part, a consequence of airborne infection with oocysts. Methods: Wo collected environmental dust samples from an area with a reportedly high T. gondii seroprevalence in the Old Order Amish population, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Samples included: a) air filters from air-conditioning units; b) swabs of settled dust; and c) vacuum filters containing airborne field dust. Pools of the swabs and shredded sub-samples of the air filters were fed to pigs, with inoculation into mice of heart tissue from seroconverted pigs. We also investigated the presence of T. gondii DNA using PCR amplification. Results: Only one pig seroconverted. However, bioassay of pig heart tissue further inoculated into mice showed no evidence of T. gondii infection. Consistently, no evidence of T. gondii DNA was revealed in any sample. Conclusions: No evidence of airborne transmission was found in the environmental samples that were examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Wadhawan
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Dolores E Hill
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Aline Dagdag
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Hira Mohyuddin
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Patrick Donnelly
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Jones
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Teodor T Postolache
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Denver, CO 80220, USA; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, VA Capitol Health Care Network, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA,
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Makkar H, Reynolds MA, Wadhawan A, Dagdag A, Merchant AT, Postolache TT. Periodontal, metabolic, and cardiovascular disease: Exploring the role of inflammation and mental health. Pteridines 2018; 29:124-163. [PMID: 30705520 PMCID: PMC6350811 DOI: 10.1515/pteridines-2018-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous evidence connects periodontal disease, a modifiable condition affecting a majority of Americans, with metabolic and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review focuses on the likely mediation of these associations by immune activation and their potential interactions with mental illness. Future longitudinal, and ideally interventional studies, should focus on reciprocal interactions and cascading effects, as well as points for effective preventative and therapeutic interventions across diagnostic domains to reduce morbidity, mortality and improve quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Makkar
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Mark A Reynolds
- Department of Advanced Oral Sciences & Therapeutics, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Abhishek Wadhawan
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Aline Dagdag
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Anwar T Merchant
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Teodor T Postolache
- Mood and Anxiety Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA; Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 19, Military and Veteran Microbiome Consortium for Research and Education (MVM-CoRE), Denver, CO 80220, USA; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5, VA Capitol Health Care Network, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA,
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Dietrich-Muszalska A. Oxidative Stress in Schizophrenia. OXIDATIVE STRESS IN APPLIED BASIC RESEARCH AND CLINICAL PRACTICE 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-0440-2_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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Müller N, Myint AM, Krause D, Weidinger E, Schwarz MJ. Anti-inflammatory treatment in schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013. [PMID: 23178230 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Antipsychotics, which act predominantly as dopamine D2 receptor antagonists, have several shortcomings. The exact pathophysiological mechanism leading to dopaminergic dysfunction in schizophrenia is still unclear, but inflammation has been postulated to be a key player in the pathophysiology of the disorder. A dysfunction in activation of the type 1 immune response seems to be associated with an imbalance in tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism; the degrading enzymes involved in this metabolism are regulated by cytokines. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), an N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist, was found to be increased in critical regions of the central nervous system (CNS) in schizophrenia, resulting in reduced glutamatergic neurotransmission. The differential activation of microglial cells and astrocytes as functional carriers of the immune system in the CNS may also contribute to this imbalance. The immunological effects of many existing antipsychotics, however, rebalance in part the immune imbalance and overproduction of KYNA. The immunological imbalance results in an inflammatory state combined with increased prostaglandin E(2) production and increased cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Growing evidence from clinical studies with COX-2 inhibitors points to favorable effects of anti-inflammatory therapy in schizophrenia, in particular in an early stage of the disorder. Further options for immunomodulating therapies in schizophrenia will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
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Müller N, Wagner JK, Krause D, Weidinger E, Wildenauer A, Obermeier M, Dehning S, Gruber R, Schwarz MJ. Impaired monocyte activation in schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2012; 198:341-6. [PMID: 22429483 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2011.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2011] [Revised: 11/11/2011] [Accepted: 12/31/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
An inflammatory process is hypothesized in schizophrenia. Innate immunity, in particular the monocyte/macrophage system, has rarely been studied in this disorder, although alterations in microglia indicate a role for this system. Increased monocyte numbers have repeatedly been described. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate the activation of monocytes. We studied the expression of the toll-like receptors TLR-2, TLR-3 and TLR-4 on CD14(+) monocytes in 31 schizophrenia patients and 31 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Blood samples were taken and stimulated with either lipopolysaccharides (LPS), to mimic a bacterial infection, or polyI:C, to mimic a viral infection. Moreover, the intracellular concentration of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in CD33(+) monocytes was estimated before and after stimulation. The intracellular concentrations of IL-1ß and the TLR surface markers were analyzed by flow cytometry. Receptor expression of TLR-3 and TLR-4, but not of TLR-2, was significantly higher in the schizophrenia patients. After stimulation, patients showed less increase in the expression of TLR-3 and TLR-4 than controls did. The IL-1ß concentration was significantly lower in patients both before and after stimulation with polyI:C, and there was a trend towards a lower concentration after LPS stimulation. The higher expression of TLR-3 and TLR-4 receptors might compensate for a functional deficit, and the lower intracellular concentrations of IL-1ß might reflect the blunted monocytic function in schizophrenia. The immunological dysfunctions might be associated with a poor clearance of pathogens in schizophrenia, which in turn could lead to a low-grade inflammatory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Müller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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Abstract
Although there is no doubt that the dopaminergic neurotransmission is strongly involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, the exact mechanism leading to dopaminergic dysfunction is still unclear. A disbalance in the immune response associated with a slight inflammatory process of the central nervous system (CNS) has been postulated. Such a mechanism is the basis for the "mild encephalitis" concept. A dysfunction in the activation of the type-1 immune response seems to be associated with decreased activity of the key enzyme of the tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Theoretically, a decreased activity of IDO results in the increased production of kynurenic acid, an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in the CNS, and a reduced glutamatergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Accordingly, in animal models of schizophrenia, increased levels of kynurenic acid in critical regions of the CNS were described, although studies of peripheral blood levels of kynurenic acid in schizophrenic patients showed controversial results. The immunological effects of a lot of existing antipsychotics, however, rebalance in part the immune imbalance and the overweight of the production of kynurenic acid. The inflammatory state in schizophrenia is associated with increased prostaglandin E(2) production and increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Growing evidence from clinical studies with COX-2 inhibitors points to favorable effects of anti-inflammatory therapy in schizophrenia, in particular in an early stage of the disorder. Further options for immunomodulating therapies in schizophrenia will be discussed.
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Oxidative stress and neopterin abnormalities in schizophrenia: a longitudinal study. J Psychiatr Res 2010; 44:310-3. [PMID: 19850302 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2009] [Revised: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 09/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress abnormalities have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The present study examined neopterin and oxidative stress abnormalities in schizophrenia patients before and after treatment. Serum neopterin, total anti-oxidants, nitrites and thiols in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients (n=45) were assessed at baseline before treatment in comparison with healthy controls (n=43). The schizophrenia patients on treatment were followed up for 3months and these parameters were reassessed (n=32). In comparison to healthy controls, schizophrenia patients had significantly higher levels of neopterin and nitrites and significantly lower levels of anti-oxidants before treatment. During follow-up assessments in schizophrenia patients after treatment with antipsychotics, there was a significant decrease in the neopterin levels and significant increase in anti-oxidant levels. Our study observations support increased oxidative stress in schizophrenia that improves with antipsychotic treatment.
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Kuloğlu M, Atmaca M, Onal S, Geçici O, Bulut V, Tezcan E. Neopterin levels and dexamethasone suppression test in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychiatry Res 2007; 151:265-70. [PMID: 17467061 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2002.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2002] [Accepted: 04/23/2002] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Neopterin, a biopterin precursor that is released by macrophages, is an important immunological marker in psychiatric disorders. It has been reported that glucocorticoids may cause suppression of cell-mediated immunity and consequently result in decreased neopterin levels. In the present study, we evaluated whether dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and neopterin findings were associated with pure obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients (OCD-D group) and the concomitant OCD and depression (OCD+D group). The sample comprised 44 patients with OCD (27 with OCD-D and 17 with OCD+D) and 30 control subjects. There was significantly higher DST nonsuppression in the OCD+D group than in the OCD-D group. With regard to mean neopterin levels, there was no significant difference between the OCD-D group and the control group, but there was a statistically significant difference between the OCD+D group and the control group. The OCD+D group had significantly lower neopterin levels than the 20 OCD-D group. We suggest that this distinction may reflect the fact that glucocorticoids can lead to suppression of cell-mediated immunity and consequently can result in decreased neopterin levels. In conclusion, our results suggest that not the OCD-D group had normal neopterin levels and DST results, and also that OCD may be a heterogeneous subtype characterized by some biological indicators or anxiety and affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Kuloğlu
- Atatürk Education and Research Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey
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Rothermundt M, Arolt V, Bayer TA. Review of immunological and immunopathological findings in schizophrenia. Brain Behav Immun 2001; 15:319-39. [PMID: 11782102 DOI: 10.1006/brbi.2001.0648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The involvement of immunological and immunopathological mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia has been a matter of research, with recently increasing effort. This article reviews the findings focusing on postmortem neuropathology, the blood-brain barrier, antibodies, acute phase proteins, immunocompetent cells, and activation markers of immunocompetent cells. Evidence for the two primarily postulated hypotheses (the infectious hypothesis and the autoimmune hypothesis) is critically discussed. On the basis of the findings, perspectives for future research are outlined aiming at a precise and consequent strategy to elucidate a potential involvement of immune mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rothermundt
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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Müller N, Riedel M, Gruber R, Ackenheil M, Schwarz MJ. The immune system and schizophrenia. An integrative view. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2001; 917:456-67. [PMID: 11268373 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2000.tb05410.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Immune alterations in schizophrenia have been described for decades. Modern immunological methods and new insights into the highly developed and functionally differentiated immune system allow an integrative view of both the older and the recent findings of immunological abnormalities in schizophrenia. Both the unspecific and the specific arms of the immune system seem to be involved in the dysfunction of the immune system in schizophrenia. The unspecific, "innate" immune system shows signs of overactivation in unmedicated schizophrenic patients, as indicated by increased monocytes and gamma delta-cells. Increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the activation of the IL-6 system in schizophrenia might be the result of the activation of monocytes/macrophages, too. On the other hand, several parameters of the specific cellular immune system are blunted, such as, for example, the decreased T helper-1 (TH-1)-related immune parameters in schizophrenic patients both in vitro and in vivo. It seems that a TH-1-TH-2 imbalance with a shift to the TH-2 system is associated with schizophrenia. During antipsychotic therapy with neuroleptics, the specific TH-1-related immune answer becomes activated, but in addition the B cell system and antibody production increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Müller
- Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany.
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Müller N, Riedel M, Ackenheil M, Schwarz MJ. Cellular and humoral immune system in schizophrenia: a conceptual re-evaluation. World J Biol Psychiatry 2000; 1:173-9. [PMID: 12607212 DOI: 10.3109/15622970009150588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Immune alterations in schizophrenia have been described for decades. However, modern immunological methods and new insights into the highly developed and functionally differentiated immune system allow an integrative view of both the older and also more recent findings of immunological abnormalities in schizophrenia. The conceptual advances in immunology require the re-evaluation of elder immunological findings in schizophrenia. In this overview, recent advances in immunological research regarding the differentiation between T-Helper-1 and T-Helper-2 cells and between the so-called specific and unspecific arms of the immune system are discussed. The unspecific "innate" immune system shows signs of an over-activation in unmedicated schizophrenic patients, as increased monocytes and gamma delta-cells point to. Increased levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the activation of the IL-6 system in schizophrenia might be the result of the activation of monocytes/macrophages, too. In contrast, several parameters of the specific cellular immune system are blunted, e.g. the decreased T-helper-1 (TH-1) related immune parameters in schizophrenic patients, both in vitro and in vivo. It seems that a TH-1-TH-2 imbalance with a shift to the TH-2 system is associated with schizophrenia. During therapy with antipsychotics, the specific TH-1 related immune answer becomes activated, but the B-cell system and the antibody production become activated too.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Müller
- Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Nussbaumstr. 7, 80336 Munich, Germany.
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