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Foiselle M, Lajnef M, Hamdani N, Boukouaci W, Wu CL, Naamoune S, Chami L, Mezoued E, Richard JR, Bouassida J, Sugunasabesan S, Le Corvoisier P, Barrau C, Yolken R, Leboyer M, Tamouza R. Immune cell subsets in patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia with history of childhood maltreatment. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 112:42-50. [PMID: 37263365 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A history of Childhood Maltreatment (CM) has been repeatedly associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorders (BD) or schizophrenia (SZ). The impact of severe stress induced by CM has been proposed to be mediated by elevated inflammation reflected by dysregulated inflammatory processes. Little is known about the potential impact of CM on lymphocyte subpopulations or the role of pre-existing infections on CM physiological consequences. This study therefore explored the role of CM and past infection exposure impact on lymphocyte subpopulations to give an indication of their relevance as stressors in the pathoetiology of major mood and psychotic disorders. 118 adult patients with SZ, and 152 with BD were included in the analysis. CM history was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), with current and past psychiatric symptomatology also evaluated. Circulating immune cell subsets were analyzed using flow cytometry-based analysis. Past exposure to common infectious stigma including toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were measured by solid phase-enzyme microplate and ELISA immunoassays. The relationship between CM, biological phenotypes (including immune cell subsets distribution and past infectious status) and clinical phenotypes were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. BD patients with, versus without, CM had higher levels of CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CMV antibodies along with decreased levels of CD45RA+CCR7+CD8+ naïve CD8+ T cells, and a more severe clinical profile. CMV antibody levels were inversely associated with the CD3 + CD8 + lymphocyte subset level. SZ patients with, versus without, CM, showed lower levels of CD14 + monocytes and no specific clinical characteristics. The accumulation of different types of maltreatment associated with increased body mass index and CMV autoantibodies as well as decreased levels of CD14 + monocytes. In both BD and SZ, further analysis according to the type and the number of CM subtypes showed association with specific changes in lymphocyte cell subsets, clinical profile, and infectious stigma. Adults with BD or SZ exposed to CM exhibit specific immune cell subset profiles, clinical features, and stigma of past infections. In BD, our data indicate an interplay between CM and CMV infections, which may possibly contribute to premature aging and cellular senescence, both of which have previously been shown to associate with mood disorders. Longitudinal studies of CM-exposed patients are required to clarify the interactions of CM and viral infections, including as to the pathophysiological processes driving patient symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Foiselle
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Mohamed Lajnef
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Nora Hamdani
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Wahid Boukouaci
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Ching-Lien Wu
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Soumia Naamoune
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Leïla Chami
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Esma Mezoued
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Jean-Romain Richard
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Jihène Bouassida
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Sobika Sugunasabesan
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Philippe Le Corvoisier
- Inserm, Centre d'Investigation Clinique 1430 et AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, Univ Paris Est Creteil, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Caroline Barrau
- Plateforme de Ressources Biologiques, HU Henri Mondor, AP-HP, Créteil F94010, France
| | - Robert Yolken
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marion Leboyer
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
| | - Ryad Tamouza
- Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), INSERM, IMRB, Translational Neuropsychiatry, AP-HP, Hôpitaux Universitaires H. Mondor, DMU IMPACT, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire de Médecine de Précision en Psychiatrie (FHU ADAPT), Fondation FondaMental, F-94010 Créteil, France
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Zhang T, Wei Y, Zeng J, Ye J, Tang X, Xu L, Hu Y, Cui H, Tang Y, Wang J. Interleukin-2/interleukin-6 imbalance correlates with conversion to psychosis from a clinical high-risk state. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 77:62-63. [PMID: 36097689 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- TianHong Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - YanYan Wei
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - JiaHui Zeng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - JiaYi Ye
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - XiaoChen Tang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - LiHua Xu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - YeGang Hu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - HuiRu Cui
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - YingYing Tang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - JiJun Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai, China.,Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Zhang T, Zeng J, Wei Y, Ye J, Tang X, Xu L, Hu Y, Cui H, Xie Y, Tang Y, Liu X, Liu H, Chen T, Li C, Wang J. Changes in inflammatory balance correlates with conversion to psychosis among individuals at clinical high-risk: A prospective cohort study. Psychiatry Res 2022; 318:114938. [PMID: 36334327 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed that the imbalance between Th1 cytokines and Th2 cytokines plays a role in disturbance of cellular responses in the brain during psychosis. Cross-sectional studies have implied that inflammatory cytokine changes emerge in early psychosis, even at the at-risk stage. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that inflammatory imbalance in clinical high-risk (CHR) individuals is associated with an increased risk of future psychosis. A prospective case-control study was performed to assess the Th1(interleukin (IL)-1β)/Th2(IL-6) balance in 84 CHR individuals and 65 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC). Serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and 1-year after the completion of the clinical assessment. Sixteen (19.0%) CHR participants converted to full psychosis during the 1-year follow-up period. At baseline, serum IL-1β level was significantly lower in the CHR-converter group - resulting in decreased IL-1β/IL-6 ratios - compared to those of the CHR-non-converter and HC groups. At the 1-year follow-up, IL-1β level had decreased, and IL-1β/IL-6 ratios had decreased in the CHR-non-converter group, such that these were comparable to values in the CHR-converter at this time point. Analysis of the changes in IL-1β/IL-6 ratio between the baseline and 1-year follow-up measurements identified different trajectories in the CHR-converter and CHR-non-converter groups. Our findings demonstrate that a specific pattern of Th1/Th2 imbalance (decreased IL-1β/IL-6 ratios with lower serum IL-1β level) is associated with an increased risk of developing psychosis. Such specific pattern has potential for predicting conversion outcomes and selecting a distinct subgroup of CHR with immune-imbalanced-phenotype, that relevance in precise prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- TianHong Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China.
| | - JiaHui Zeng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - YanYan Wei
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - JiaYi Ye
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - XiaoChen Tang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - LiHua Xu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - YeGang Hu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - HuiRu Cui
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - YuOu Xie
- The first clinical medical college of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - YingYing Tang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - XiaoHua Liu
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - HaiChun Liu
- Department of Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Big Data Research Lab, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada; Labor and Worklife Program, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - ChunBo Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - JiJun Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Intelligent Psychological Evaluation and Intervention Engineering Technology Research Center (20DZ2253800), Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 200030, China; Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (CEBSIT), Chinese Academy of Science, Shanghai, PR China; Institute of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China.
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Arabska J, Wysokiński A, Brzezińska-Błaszczyk E, Kozłowska E. Serum Levels and in vitro CX3CL1 (Fractalkine), CXCL8, and IL-10 Synthesis in Phytohemaglutinin-Stimulated and Non-stimulated Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Subjects With Schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:845136. [PMID: 35782435 PMCID: PMC9247257 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.845136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although schizophrenia is a severe mental illness, whose etiology is still largely unknown, its pathogenesis may be associated with dysregulation of the immune mechanisms. The present study compares the levels of interleukin (IL)-10, interleukin-8 (CXCL8), and fractalkine (CX3CL1) between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. It also assesses the ability of peripheral peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to produce these cytokines spontaneously and following mitogen-stimulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study was performed of 60 adult schizophrenia patients and 32 controls. CXCL8, IL-10, and fractalkine concentrations were measured in serum and supernatants from cultured PBMCs. Anthropometric (BMI, WHR) and body composition measurements were taken using bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The schizophrenia patients demonstrated significantly higher levels of serum CXCL8 (schizophrenia: 13.4 ± 15.7 pg/mL, control: 6.9 ± 4.2 pg/mL, p = 0.001) and lower level of serum fractalkine (schizophrenia: 22.8 ± 9.9 pg/mL, control: 45.4 ± 84.5 pg/mL, p = 0.041). Serum IL-10 levels did not significantly differ. No in vitro synthesis of fractalkine was observed. Neither unstimulated or PHA-stimulated CXCL8 secretion differed between the two groups (p >0.05). The patients not taking mood stabilizers (MS-) demonstrated significantly higher CXCL8 levels than those on mood stabilizers (MS+) (p = 0.03) and control (p < 0.001). In addition, the MS- sub-group demonstrated significantly lower serum fraktalkine than controls (p = 0.009). These effects could be described as pseudo-normalization of CXCL8 and fractalkine in schizophrenia patients taking mood stabilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaśmina Arabska
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Adam Wysokiński
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Elżbieta Kozłowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Prestwood TR, Asgariroozbehani R, Wu S, Agarwal SM, Logan RW, Ballon JS, Hahn MK, Freyberg Z. Roles of inflammation in intrinsic pathophysiology and antipsychotic drug-induced metabolic disturbances of schizophrenia. Behav Brain Res 2021; 402:113101. [PMID: 33453341 PMCID: PMC7882027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric illness that remains poorly understood. While the bulk of symptomatology has classically been associated with disrupted brain functioning, accumulating evidence demonstrates that schizophrenia is characterized by systemic inflammation and disturbances in metabolism. Indeed, metabolic disease is a major determinant of the high mortality rate associated with schizophrenia. Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have revolutionized management of psychosis, making it possible to rapidly control psychotic symptoms. This has ultimately reduced relapse rates of psychotic episodes and improved overall quality of life for people with schizophrenia. However, long-term APD use has also been associated with significant metabolic disturbances including weight gain, dysglycemia, and worsening of the underlying cardiometabolic disease intrinsic to schizophrenia. While the mechanisms for these intrinsic and medication-induced metabolic effects remain unclear, inflammation appears to play a key role. Here, we review the evidence for roles of inflammatory mechanisms in the disease features of schizophrenia and how these mechanisms interact with APD treatment. We also discuss the effects of common inflammatory mediators on metabolic disease. Then, we review the evidence of intrinsic and APD-mediated effects on systemic inflammation in schizophrenia. Finally, we speculate about possible treatment strategies. Developing an improved understanding of inflammatory processes in schizophrenia may therefore introduce new, more effective options for treating not only schizophrenia but also primary metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler R Prestwood
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Roshanak Asgariroozbehani
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sally Wu
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sri Mahavir Agarwal
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Banting and Best Diabetes Centre (BBDC), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ryan W Logan
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Systems Neurogenetics of Addiction, The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - Jacob S Ballon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Margaret K Hahn
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Banting and Best Diabetes Centre (BBDC), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Zachary Freyberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Hughes HK, Mills-Ko E, Yang H, Lesh TA, Carter CS, Ashwood P. Differential Macrophage Responses in Affective Versus Non-Affective First-Episode Psychosis Patients. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:583351. [PMID: 33716670 PMCID: PMC7943877 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.583351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased innate immune activation and inflammation are common findings in psychotic and affective (mood) disorders such as schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD), including increased numbers and activation of monocytes and macrophages. These findings often differ depending on the disorder, for example, we previously found increases in circulating inflammatory cytokines associated with monocytes and macrophages in SCZ, while BD had increases in anti-inflammatory cytokines. Despite these differences, few studies have specifically compared immune dysfunction in affective versus non-affective psychotic disorders and none have compared functional monocyte responses across these disorders. To address this, we recruited 25 first episode psychosis (FEP) patients and 23 healthy controls (HC). FEP patients were further grouped based on the presence (AFF) or absence (NON) of mood disorder. We isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cultured them for 1 week with M-CSF to obtain monocyte-derived macrophages. These cells were then stimulated for 24 h to skew them to inflammatory and alternative phenotypes, in order to identify differences in these responses. Following stimulation with LPS and LPS plus IFNγ, we found that macrophages from the NON-group had diminished inflammatory responses compared to both HC and AFF groups. Interestingly, when skewing macrophages to an alternative phenotype using LPS plus IL-4, the AFF macrophages increased production of inflammatory cytokines. Receiver operating curve analysis showed predictive power of inflammatory cytokine concentrations after LPS stimulation in the AFF group versus NON-group. Our results suggest dysfunctional monocyte responses in both affective and non-affective psychotic disorder, with varying types of immune dysfunction depending on the presence or absence of a mood component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather K. Hughes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Emily Mills-Ko
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Houa Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Tyler A. Lesh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Cameron S. Carter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
| | - Paul Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- MIND Institute, University of California at Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
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Hughes H, Ashwood P. Overlapping evidence of innate immune dysfunction in psychotic and affective disorders. Brain Behav Immun Health 2020; 2:100038. [PMID: 34589829 PMCID: PMC8474635 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbances of the immune system and immune responses after activation are a common finding in neuropsychiatric disorders. Psychotic and affective disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) also share high rates of comorbidity with inflammatory and metabolic disorders. Evidence of elevated circulating inflammatory cytokines, altered numbers and function of immune cells, and evidence of neuroinflammation including activation of microglia in the brain have been found in patients with SCZ, BD and MDD. Often these findings correlate to psychological state at the time of measurement. However, significant variation exists across these studies in many aspects, creating challenges in identifying a specific signature of immune dysfunction in these disorders. Innate immune dysfunction, and alterations in monocytes, the critical sentinel cells of the innate immune system, have been seen repeatedly in all three of these disorders, with frequent overlap in findings. In this review, dysfunction specific to the innate arm of the immune system is compared for overlapping evidence across three major psychotic and affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- H.K. Hughes
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - P. Ashwood
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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Steiner J, Frodl T, Schiltz K, Dobrowolny H, Jacobs R, Fernandes BS, Guest PC, Meyer-Lotz G, Borucki K, Bahn S, Bogerts B, Falkai P, Bernstein HG. Innate Immune Cells and C-Reactive Protein in Acute First-Episode Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Relationship to Psychopathology and Treatment. Schizophr Bull 2020; 46:363-373. [PMID: 31504969 PMCID: PMC7442383 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbz068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Innate immunity has been linked to initiation of Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Moreover, risk of first-episode psychosis (FEP) and schizophrenia (Sz) is increased after various infections in predisposed individuals. Thus, we hypothesized an analogous role of innate immunity with increased C-reactive protein (CRP) in non-affective psychosis. Differential blood count, CRP, neutrophil and monocyte-macrophage activation markers, cortisol and psychotic symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS]) were assessed in controls (n = 294) and acutely ill unmedicated FEP (n = 129) and Sz (n = 124) patients at baseline and after 6 weeks treatment. Neutrophils, monocytes, and CRP were increased in patients vs controls at baseline (P < .001), and neutrophil and monocyte counts correlated positively with activation markers. Eosinophils were lower at baseline in FEP (P < .001) and Sz (P = .021) vs controls. Differences in neutrophils (P = .023), eosinophils (P < .001), and CRP (P < .001) were also present when controlling for smoking and cortisol, and partially remitted after antipsychotic treatment. FEP patients with high neutrophils (P = .048) or monocytes (P = .021) had higher PANSS-P scores at baseline but similar disease course. CRP correlated with PANSS-P at baseline (ρ = 0.204, P = .012). Improvement of positive symptoms after treatment correlated with declining neutrophils (ρ = 0.186, P = .015) or CRP (ρ = 0.237, P = .002) and rising eosinophils (ρ = -0.161, P = .036). In FEP, normalization of neutrophils (ρ = -0.231, P = .029) and eosinophils (ρ = 0.209, P = .048) correlated with drug dosage. In conclusion, innate immune system activation correlated with PANSS-P, supporting the immune hypothesis of psychosis. Neutrophil and monocyte counts and CRP levels may be useful markers of disease acuity, severity, and treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Steiner
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 49-391-67 15019, fax: 49-391-67 15223, e-mail:
| | - Thomas Frodl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany,German Center for Neurogenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kolja Schiltz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Henrik Dobrowolny
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Roland Jacobs
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Paul C Guest
- Laboratory of Neuroproteomics, Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Meyer-Lotz
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Borucki
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sabine Bahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bernhard Bogerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany,Salus Institute, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hans-Gert Bernstein
- Laboratory of Translational Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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9
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van Mierlo HC, Broen JCA, Kahn RS, de Witte LD. B-cells and schizophrenia: A promising link or a finding lost in translation? Brain Behav Immun 2019; 81:52-62. [PMID: 31271869 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent genetic studies have suggested a potential role for B-cells in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Greater insight in the functioning of B-cells in patients with schizophrenia is therefore of importance. In this narrative review we aim to give an overview of the current literature on B-cells and schizophrenia. We found no evidence for altered numbers of these cells in blood. We did find support for increased levels of B-cell related cytokines and certain autoantibodies. Studies on B-cell development and function, or their numbers in cerebrospinal fluid or brain tissue are very limited. Based on the available data we appraise whether various B-cell mediated pathological mechanisms are likely to play a role in schizophrenia and provide directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans C van Mierlo
- Department of Psychiatry, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jasper C A Broen
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - René S Kahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, United States; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Lot D de Witte
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, United States; Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), James J Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
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10
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Kozłowska E, Żelechowska P, Wysokiński A, Rasmus P, Łucka A, Brzezińska-Błaszczyk E. In vitro cytokine synthesis in unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals with schizophrenia. J Investig Med 2019; 67:1053-1060. [PMID: 31053623 DOI: 10.1136/jim-2018-000964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence has shown that the immune system is involved in the schizophrenia development, with alterations in immune cell reactivity being one possible factor contributing to its pathogenesis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate in vitro the capability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from subjects with schizophrenia and controls to engage in spontaneous and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cytokine production. The concentrations of various cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-10) in supernatants from cultured PBMCs were measured using the cytometric bead array. No significant differences in the spontaneous production of IL-1β, IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 by PBMCs were detected between individuals with schizophrenia and controls. TNF synthesis by PBMCs was found to be lower among those with schizophrenia. In all subjects and controls, greater cytokine generation was associated with PBMCs treated with PHA compared with those that were not. The PBMCs from people with schizophrenia displayed considerably higher sensitivity to mitogen stimulation, as the production of IL-17A, TNF and IFN-γ was at least threefold of that observed in healthy subjects, which may be driven by antipsychotics taken by patients with schizophrenia. Correlation was observed between spontaneous production of IFN-γ and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale G subscore (which measures the general symptoms of schizophrenia) and between PHA-stimulated synthesis of IL-17A and G subscore. Our data confirm that the immune system dysregulation may underlie schizophrenia pathophysiology. There is a potential possibility that immunological tests could be used as a diagnostic, therapeutic and side-effects biomarker for schizophrenia, but further studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elżbieta Kozłowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Paulina Żelechowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Adam Wysokiński
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Paweł Rasmus
- Department of Medical Psychology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Anna Łucka
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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11
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Orhan F, Schwieler L, Fatouros-Bergman H, Malmqvist A, Cervenka S, Collste K, Flyckt L, Farde L, Sellgren CM, Piehl F, Engberg G, Erhardt S. Increased number of monocytes and plasma levels of MCP-1 and YKL-40 in first-episode psychosis. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2018; 138:432-440. [PMID: 30132802 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Accumulating evidence implicates immune activation in the development of schizophrenia. Here, monocyte numbers, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) were investigated in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients. METHOD CSF and blood were sampled from 42 first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and 22 healthy controls. The levels of YKL-40 and MCP-1 were measured using electrochemiluminescence assay, and blood monocytes were counted using an XN-9000-hematology analyzer. RESULTS We found higher plasma levels of MCP-1 and YKL-40 in FEP patients compared with healthy controls, a condition that was unrelated to antipsychotic and/or anxiolytic medication. This was combined with an increased number of blood monocytes and a borderline significant increase in YKL-40 levels in the CSF of tobacco-free FEP patients. Plasma or CSF chemokines or blood monocytes did not correlate with the severity of symptoms or the level of functioning. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate activation of monocytes in FEP and strengthens the idea of an immune dysfunction of psychotic disorders. Further studies are required to perceive a role of YKL-40 and MCP-1 in the initiation and progression of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Orhan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L Schwieler
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - H Fatouros-Bergman
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Malmqvist
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Cervenka
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - K Collste
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L Flyckt
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - L Farde
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden.,PET Science Centre, Precision Medicine and Genomics, IMED Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C M Sellgren
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Experimental Drugs and Diagnostics, Center for Human Genetic Research and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - F Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Neuroimmunology Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - G Engberg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - S Erhardt
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Cuomo A, Maina G, Rosso G, Beccarini Crescenzi B, Bolognesi S, Di Muro A, Giordano N, Goracci A, Neal SM, Nitti M, Pieraccini F, Fagiolini A. The Microbiome: A New Target for Research and Treatment of Schizophrenia and its Resistant Presentations? A Systematic Literature Search and Review. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1040. [PMID: 30374300 PMCID: PMC6196757 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The gastrointestinal system hosts roughly 1,800 distinct phyla and about 40,000 bacterial classes, which are known as microbiota, and which are able to influence the brain. For instance, microbiota can also influence the immune response through the activation of the immune system or through the release of mediators that are able to cross the brain blood barrier or that can interact with other substances that have free access to the brain, such as tryptophan and kynurenic acid, which is a metabolite of tryptophan and which has been involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Objectives: This paper reviews the possible relationships between microbiome, schizophrenia and treatment resistance. Given the possibility of a role of immune activation and alterations, we also describe the relationship between schizophrenia and immune inflammatory response. Finally, we report on the studies about the use of probiotic and prebiotics in schizophrenia. Methods: Cochrane library and PubMed were searched from the year 2000 to 2018 for publications about microbiome, immune-mediated pathology, schizophrenia and neurodevelopmental disorders. The following search string was used: (microbiome or immune mediated) AND (schizophrenia OR neurodevelopmental disorder). Associated publications were hand-searched from the list of references of the identified papers. A narrative review was also conducted about the use of probiotics and prebiotics in schizophrenia. Results: There exists a close relationship between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, which makes it likely that there is a relationship between schizophrenia, including its resistant forms, and microbiota. This paper provides a summary of the most important studies that we identified on the topic. Conclusions: Schizophrenia in particular, remain a challenge for researchers and practitioners and the possibility of a role of the microbiome and of immune-mediated pathology should be better explored, not only in animal models but also in clinical trials of agents that are able to alter gut microbiota and possibly influence the mechanisms of gastrointestinal inflammation. Microbiome targeted treatments have not been well-studied yet in patients with mental illness in general, and with schizophrenia in particular. Nonetheless, the field is well worth of being appropriately investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cuomo
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Maina
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Gianluca Rosso
- Psychiatric Unit, San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital of Orbassano, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Simone Bolognesi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Angela Di Muro
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Nicola Giordano
- Department of Medicine, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Arianna Goracci
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Stephen M. Neal
- Department of Psychiatry, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewisburg, WV, United States
| | - Maria Nitti
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fulvio Pieraccini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Andrea Fagiolini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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13
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Kang WS, Kim YJ, Park HJ, Kim SK, Paik JW, Kim JW. Association of CCL11 promoter polymorphisms with schizophrenia in a Korean population. Gene 2018; 656:80-85. [PMID: 29477870 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.02.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunological alterations and dysregulation of the inflammatory response have been suggested to play a crucial role in schizophrenia pathophysiology. Growing evidence supports the involvement of chemokines in brain development, thus many chemokines have been studied in relation with schizophrenia. The C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11) has been shown to be related with synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis. Moreover, altered levels of CCL11 have been observed in schizophrenia patients. Therefore, we examined whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CCL11 in the promoter region contribute to susceptibility to schizophrenia. METHODS Four promoter SNPs [rs17809012 (-384T>C), rs16969415 (-426C>T), rs17735961 (-488C>A), and rs4795896 (576G>A)] were genotyped in 254 schizophrenia patients and 405 control subjects using Fluidigm SNPtype assays. RESULTS The genotype frequency of CCL11 rs4795896 (-576G>A) showed significant association with schizophrenia in a recessive model (AA vs. GG/AG, p < 0.0001) and in a log-additive model (AG vs. AA vs. GG, p < 0.0001). The allele frequency of rs4795896 also showed a significant association with schizophrenia (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, haplotype analysis revealed that GCT, ACT, and GCC haplotypes containing rs4795896, rs17735961 and rs17809012 were significantly associated with schizophrenia (p = 0.0044, p < 0.0001, and p < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that CCL11 promotor polymorphism is associated with increased risk for the development of schizophrenia in a Korean population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Sub Kang
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jong Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Myongii Hospital, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 10475, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Jeong Park
- Kohwang Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Kang Kim
- Kohwang Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Woo Paik
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Woo Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
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14
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Uranova NA, Bonartsev PD, Androsova LV, Rakhmanova VI, Kaleda VG. Impaired monocyte activation in schizophrenia: ultrastructural abnormalities and increased IL-1β production. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2017; 267:417-426. [PMID: 28314932 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-017-0782-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Monocyte activation is consistently reported in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). We aimed to study the ultrastructure of monocytes and monocyte production of IL-1β in drug-free patients with SZ and controls. Monocytes from young (18-30 y.o.) healthy and SZ men in relapse were studied. Electron microscopy and morphometry were applied to estimate areas of monocytes, volume density (Vv), areas, and number of organelles. The production IL-1β by monocytes was estimated by the ELISA method. Group differences were examined using ANCOVA. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to examine the effects of possible confounding variables. Correlation analyses were applied to detect the relationships between the parameters of monocytes measured and between the parameters measured and the IL-1β production. Area of nucleolus, Vv and area of mitochondria and lysosomes, and the number of lysosomes were significantly increased in patients as compared to controls. Area of mitochondria was correlated significantly with Vv and area of lysosomes, and the number of lysosomes was significantly correlated with area of monocyte and Vv of vacuoles only in the control group. The production of IL-1β by monocytes was higher in patients than in controls (p = 0.01) and was correlated with Vv of lysosomes (r = 0.68, p = 0.04) and area of lysosomes (r = 0.78, p = 0.013). The data provide new evidence for over activation of monocytes in SZ and disturbed metabolic relationships between lysosomes, mitochondria, and vacuoles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalya A Uranova
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuropathology, Mental Health Research Centre, Zagorodnoe Shosse 2, Moscow, 117152, Russia.
| | - P D Bonartsev
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuropathology, Mental Health Research Centre, Zagorodnoe Shosse 2, Moscow, 117152, Russia
| | - L V Androsova
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, Mental Health Research Centre, Zagorodnoe Shosse 2, Moscow, 117152, Russia
| | - V I Rakhmanova
- Laboratory of Clinical Neuropathology, Mental Health Research Centre, Zagorodnoe Shosse 2, Moscow, 117152, Russia
| | - V G Kaleda
- Department of Endogenous Psychoses, Mental Health Research Centre, Zagorodnoe Shosse 2, Moscow, 117152, Russia
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15
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Electroconvulsive shock attenuated microgliosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus and ameliorated schizophrenia-like behavior of Gunn rat. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:230. [PMID: 27590010 PMCID: PMC5009533 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0688-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is regarded as one of the efficient treatments for intractable psychiatric disorders, the mechanism of therapeutic action remains unclear. Recently, many studies indicate that ECT affects the immune-related cells, such as microglia, astrocytes, and lymphocytes. Moreover, microglial activation and astrocytic activation have been implicated in the postmortem brains of schizophrenia patients. We previously demonstrated that Gunn rats showed schizophrenia-like behavior and microglial activation in their brains. The present study examined the effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS), an animal counterpart of ECT, on schizophrenia-like behavior, microgliosis, and astrogliosis in the brain of Gunn rats. Methods The rats were divided into four groups, i.e., Wistar sham, Wistar ECS, Gunn sham, and Gunn ECS. ECS groups received ECS once daily for six consecutive days. Subsequently, prepulse inhibition (PPI) test was performed, and immunohistochemistry analysis was carried out to determine the activation degree of microglia and astrocytes in the hippocampus by using anti-CD11b and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody, respectively. Results We found PPI deficit in Gunn rats compared to Wistar rats, and it was significantly improved by ECS. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed that immunoreactivity of CD11b and GFAP was significantly increased in Gunn rats compared to Wistar rats. ECS significantly attenuated the immunoreactivity of both CD11b and GFAP in Gunn rats. Conclusions ECS ameliorated schizophrenia-like behavior of Gunn rats and attenuated microgliosis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus of Gunn rats. Accordingly, therapeutic effects of ECT may be exerted, at least in part, by inhibition of glial activation. These results may provide crucial information to elucidate the role of activated glia in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and to determine whether future therapeutic interventions should attempt to up-regulate or down-regulate glial functions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-016-0688-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Takahashi Y, Yu Z, Sakai M, Tomita H. Linking Activation of Microglia and Peripheral Monocytic Cells to the Pathophysiology of Psychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:144. [PMID: 27375431 PMCID: PMC4891983 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A wide variety of studies have identified microglial activation in psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Relatively fewer, but robust, studies have detected activation of peripheral monocytic cells in psychiatric disorders. Considering the origin of microglia, as well as neuropsychoimmune interactions in the context of the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, it is reasonable to speculate that microglia interact with peripheral monocytic cells in relevance with the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders; however, these interactions have drawn little attention. In this review, we summarize findings relevant to activation of microglia and monocytic cells in psychiatric disorders, discuss the potential association between these cell types and disease pathogenesis, and propose perspectives for future research on these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Takahashi
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan; Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan; Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan
| | - Zhiqian Yu
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan; Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan; Group of Mental Health Promotion, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan
| | - Mai Sakai
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan; Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tomita
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan; Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan; Group of Mental Health Promotion, Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku UniversitySendai, Japan
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17
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Vasilyeva EF, Kushner SG, Factor MI, Omelchenko MA, Bogdanova ED, Petrakova LN, Brusov OS. The cellular factors of innate immunity in nonpsychotic patients at high risk for schizophrenia. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2016; 116:60-65. [DOI: 10.17116/jnevro201611610160-65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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18
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The many roads to mitochondrial dysfunction in neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders. BMC Med 2015; 13:68. [PMID: 25889215 PMCID: PMC4382850 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-015-0310-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mitochondrial dysfunction and defects in oxidative metabolism are a characteristic feature of many chronic illnesses not currently classified as mitochondrial diseases. Examples of such illnesses include bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, depression, autism, and chronic fatigue syndrome. DISCUSSION While the majority of patients with multiple sclerosis appear to have widespread mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired ATP production, the findings in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, autism, depression, bipolar disorder schizophrenia and chronic fatigue syndrome are less consistent, likely reflecting the fact that these diagnoses do not represent a disease with a unitary pathogenesis and pathophysiology. However, investigations have revealed the presence of chronic oxidative stress to be an almost invariant finding in study cohorts of patients afforded each diagnosis. This state is characterized by elevated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and/or reduced levels of glutathione, and goes hand in hand with chronic systemic inflammation with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. SUMMARY This paper details mechanisms by which elevated levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species together with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines could conspire to pave a major road to the development of mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired oxidative metabolism seen in many patients diagnosed with these disorders.
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Steiner J, Schiltz K, Bernstein HG, Bogerts B. Antineuronal antibodies against neurotransmitter receptors and synaptic proteins in schizophrenia: current knowledge and clinical implications. CNS Drugs 2015; 29:197-206. [PMID: 25724386 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-015-0233-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
When Eugen Bleuler coined the term 'schizophrenia' he believed that various causes of illness may underlie this disease. Currently, neurodevelopmental abnormalities and consecutive impairments in dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission are considered as major causes of schizophrenia. However, there are various indications for involvement of immune processes, at least in subgroups of patients. Circulating antineuronal antibodies provide a promising link between the well-described disturbances in neurotransmission and the immune hypothesis of schizophrenia. This review summarizes important studies that have examined the role of glutamate, dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin receptor autoantibodies, and other antineuronal antibodies against synaptic proteins in the serum of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Currently, it is not known whether the presence of antineuronal antibodies in blood should be considered as a causal or disease-modulating factor in schizophrenia. Due to emerging evidence regarding the important role of the blood-brain barrier, combined testing of serum and cerebrospinal fluid is likely to be more appropriate to answer this question than pure serum analyses. We suggest implementation of such testing in first-onset and treatment-resistant patients as part of the diagnostic process. In addition, future clinical trials should evaluate if immunotherapy (e.g. cortisone pulse therapy, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis, rituximab, or cyclophosphamide) is helpful in cases with a neuroinflammatory component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany,
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El Kissi Y, Samoud S, Mtiraoui A, Letaief L, Hannachi N, Ayachi M, Ali BBH, Boukadida J. Increased Interleukin-17 and decreased BAFF serum levels in drug-free acute schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2015; 225:58-63. [PMID: 25453636 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2014.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2014] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Hypotheses regarding an immune-cytokine basis of schizophrenia have been postulated with controversial findings and a lack of data related to many cytokines. The aim of this study was to assess serum levels of Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β), Interleukin-17 (IL-17) and B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF) in schizophrenic patients and to determine correlations between cytokine levels and clinical parameters. Serum cytokine levels were measured with ELISA techniques in 60 neuroleptic-free patients on acute phase of the disease (BPRS≥40) and 28 healthy controls matched for age and sex. Current symptoms were assessed with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS). No significant difference was found between patients and controls regarding IFN-γ serum levels. IL-4 was not detected in both groups. Patients exhibited significantly higher IL-17 and lower BAFF serum levels. IL-17 and BAFF levels were negatively correlated in schizophrenic patients. SANS global score was negatively correlated with IL-17 and positively correlated with IFN-γ serum levels. These results argue against the involvement of Th1 or Th2 population cells in schizophrenia. IL-17 and BAFF could be valuable markers for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousri El Kissi
- Department of Psychiatry, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia.
| | - Samar Samoud
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; Research Unit (UR02SP13), Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Ahlem Mtiraoui
- Department of Psychiatry, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Leila Letaief
- Department of Psychiatry, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Neila Hannachi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; Research Unit (UR02SP13), Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Mouna Ayachi
- Department of Psychiatry, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Bechir Ben Hadj Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
| | - Jalel Boukadida
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia; Research Unit (UR02SP13), Farhat Hached University Hospital, Ibn El Jazzar Street, Sousse 4000, Tunisia
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Glial cells as key players in schizophrenia pathology: recent insights and concepts of therapy. Schizophr Res 2015; 161:4-18. [PMID: 24948484 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed an explosion of knowledge on the impact of glia for the neurobiological foundation of schizophrenia. A plethora of studies have shown structural and functional abnormalities in all three types of glial cells. There is convincing evidence of reduced numbers of oligodendrocytes, impaired cell maturation and altered gene expression of myelin/oligodendrocyte-related genes that may in part explain white matter abnormalities and disturbed inter- and intra-hemispheric connectivity, which are characteristic signs of schizophrenia. Earlier reports of astrogliosis could not be confirmed by later studies, although the expression of a variety of astrocyte-related genes is abnormal in psychosis. Since astrocytes play a key role in the synaptic metabolism of glutamate, GABA, monoamines and purines, astrocyte dysfunction may contribute to certain aspects of disturbed neurotransmission in schizophrenia. Finally, increased densities of microglial cells and aberrant expression of microglia-related surface markers in schizophrenia suggest that immunological/inflammatory factors are of considerable relevance for the pathophysiology of psychosis. This review describes current evidence for the multifaceted role of glial cells in schizophrenia and discusses efforts to develop glia-directed therapies for the treatment of the disease.
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The SHP-1 expression is associated with cytokines and psychopathological status in unmedicated first episode schizophrenia patients. Brain Behav Immun 2014; 41:251-60. [PMID: 24793756 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2014.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent lines of research have boosted awareness of the immunological facets of schizophrenia. However, associations with protein tyrosine phosphatase regulators have never been reported. The aim of our study was to investigate the expression and promoter status methylation of phosphatase SHP-1, a key negative regulator of the inflammatory process, in Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Schizophrenic patients. METHODS We enrolled fifty-four (28 men and 26 women) unmedicated first episode subjects (SC) who met DSM-IV and thirty-eight (22 men and 16 women) healthy controls (HC). The SC psychopathological status was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. We evaluated SHP-1 expression by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting (WB) methods and promoter status methylation through PCR bisulfate. IKK/NFkB signaling was detected by WB, and medium and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, and TNF-α) by the ELISA method. SHP-1 was silenced by treating cells with specific siRNA. RESULTS We found a significantly lower level of SHP-1 gene expression in PBMCs from SC vs. HC, consistently with which the promoter region analyzed presented significant hypermethylation. Silencing of SHP-1 expression induced higher activation of IKK/NF-kB signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in ex vivo PBMCs from both SC and HC. Linear regression among patients generated a model in which SHP-1 expression explained 30% of the clinical negative symptom variance (adjusted R(2)=0.30, ANOVA p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our findings are the first to suggest that impairment of SHP-1 expression is involved in the physiopathology of schizophrenia, opening fruitful new avenues for ameliorating treatment at least of negative symptoms.
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Bergink V, Gibney SM, Drexhage HA. Autoimmunity, inflammation, and psychosis: a search for peripheral markers. Biol Psychiatry 2014; 75:324-31. [PMID: 24286760 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 09/08/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence supports the view that deregulation of the immune system represents an important vulnerability factor for psychosis. In a subgroup of psychotic patients, the high comorbidity with autoimmune and chronic inflammatory conditions suggests a common underlying immune abnormality leading to both conditions. The reviewed data of affective and nonaffective psychosis show that if immune biomarkers exist for such immune abnormality, they may be found in raised macrophage/monocyte inflammatory activation patterns (monocytosis, high-inflammatory gene expression, raised glucocorticoid receptor β/glucocorticoid receptor α ratio, and high levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory monocyte/macrophage derived cytokines in serum/plasma), reduced T cell numbers/proliferation, and TH1 skewing. This activation of the inflammatory response system may be suggestive for microglia activation, as these cells are the macrophages of the brain. Indeed, there is some evidence of activation of the microglia as detected in positron emission tomography scans and in histopathology, and it is assumed that this activation disturbs the development and function of neuronal circuits in the brain. Further, animal models of psychotic conditions (maternal stress and inflammation paradigms) suggest that such monocyte/microglia activation could be seen as the result of a combination of genetic predisposition and an immune-mediated two-hit model. Infection but also environmental stressors during gestation/early life activate microglia, perturbing neuronal development, thereby setting the stage for vulnerability for later psychotic disorders. A second hit, such as endocrine changes, stress, or infection, could further activate microglia, leading to functional abnormalities of the neuronal circuitry in the brain and psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veerle Bergink
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Sinead M Gibney
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hemmo A Drexhage
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Al-Amin MM, Nasir Uddin MM, Mahmud Reza H. Effects of antipsychotics on the inflammatory response system of patients with schizophrenia in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2013; 11:144-51. [PMID: 24465251 PMCID: PMC3897763 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2013.11.3.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 07/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of antipsychotics on immune-challenged peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. METHODS Blood samples were collected from twelve patients with first-episode schizophrenia. The PBMCs were separated and cultures were prepared and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly[I:C]), and then separately treated with a typical antipsychotic (haloperidol) or atypical antipsychotic (clozapine, quetiapine, or risperidone). Pro-inflammatory (interferon gamma [IFN-γ]) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin [IL]-4 and IL-10) cytokine levels were measured in the LPS- or poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures treated with antipsychotics. RESULTS Haloperidol and quetiapine significantly increased the IL-4 levels (p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated PBMC cultures, while clozapine and quetiapine significantly enhanced the IL-4 levels (p<0.05) in poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. Only treatment with haloperidol resulted in a significant increase in IL-10 production (p<0.05) in LPS-stimulated PBMC cultures, whereas clozapine, quetiapine, and risperidone treatment significantly increased IL-10 production (p<0.05) in poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. All of the antipsychotics reduced the IFN-γ level significantly (p<0.05) in LPS- and poly(I:C)-stimulated PBMC cultures. CONCLUSION Antipsychotic treatment altered immune function by raising the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) and suppressing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mamun Al-Amin
- Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Al-Asmari AK, Khan MW. Inflammation and schizophrenia: alterations in cytokine levels and perturbation in antioxidative defense systems. Hum Exp Toxicol 2013; 33:115-22. [PMID: 23836841 DOI: 10.1177/0960327113493305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although several theories have been proposed including developmental/neurodegenerative processes, neurotransmitter abnormalities, viral infection, and immune dysfunction, the exact causative factor of schizophrenia is unclear. A relationship between inflammation and schizophrenia has been supported by abnormal cytokine production and altered antioxidant status. This study was aimed to examine the alterations in serum oxidative-antioxidative status and cytokine levels of schizophrenic patients. METHODS A total of 91 schizophrenic patients from Saudi Arabia and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. Fresh blood samples were collected to measure the levels of cytokines and markers of oxidative stress by spectrophotometric assays simultaneously. RESULTS We observed that there was a significant increase in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 and a decrease in the levels of interferon-γ. Lipid peroxides are elevated in serum, while total-sulfhydryl levels were decreased. Also, the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased, while the activities of catalase, glutathione reductase, and myeloperoxidase were found to be elevated in serum. CONCLUSION We conclude that inflammation resulting from dysregulation of cytokines and altered antioxidant systems may play a critical role in the etiology of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Al-Asmari
- 1Research Centre, Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Miller BJ, Gassama B, Sebastian D, Buckley P, Mellor A. Meta-analysis of lymphocytes in schizophrenia: clinical status and antipsychotic effects. Biol Psychiatry 2013; 73:993-9. [PMID: 23062357 PMCID: PMC3816144 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2012] [Revised: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia is associated with immune system dysfunction, including abnormal blood immune cell parameters. We performed a meta-analysis of these associations, considering the effect of clinical status and antipsychotic treatment following an acute exacerbation of psychosis. METHODS We identified articles by searching PubMed, PsycINFO, and Thomson Reuters (formerly ISI) Web of Knowledge and the reference lists of identified studies. RESULTS Sixteen studies of blood lymphocytes met the inclusion criteria. There was insufficient data for a meta-analysis of the mononuclear phagocytic system. In cross-sectional studies, there was a significant increase in the CD4% and CD56% in acutely relapsed inpatients. Absolute levels of total lymphocytes, CD3, and CD4, and the CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly increased, and the CD3% was significantly decreased in drug-native first-episode psychosis. In longitudinal studies, the CD4/CD8 ratio appeared to be state-related markers, as it decreased following antipsychotic treatment for acute exacerbations of psychosis. Absolute CD56 levels appeared to be a trait marker, as levels significantly increased following antipsychotic treatment for relapse. CONCLUSIONS Blood lymphocyte abnormalities in drug-naïve first-episode psychosis suggest an effect that may be independent of antipsychotic medications. While some parameters (CD4/CD8) may be state markers for acute exacerbations of psychosis, others (CD56) may be trait markers; however, more longitudinal studies are needed. Although these findings could provide the basis for future hypothesis testing, a relatively small number of studies and subjects, lack of correlative data with clinical features, and inadequate consideration of potential confounding factors limit the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia, US,Corresponding Author: Brian Miller, MD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Georgia Health Sciences University, 997 Saint Sebastian Way, Augusta, Georgia 30912, United States, Fax: +1-706-721-1793, Tel: +1-706-721-4445,
| | - Bintou Gassama
- School of Medicine, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia, US
| | - Dale Sebastian
- Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia, US
| | - Peter Buckley
- School of Medicine, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia, US
| | - Andrew Mellor
- Immunotherapy Center, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia, US
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Gibney SM, Drexhage HA. Evidence for a dysregulated immune system in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2013; 8:900-20. [PMID: 23645137 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-013-9462-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 04/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There is extensive bi-directional communication between the brain and the immune system in both health and disease. In recent years, the role of an altered immune system in the etiology of major psychiatric disorders has become more apparent. Studies have demonstrated that some patients with major psychiatric disorders exhibit characteristic signs of immune dysregulation and that this may be a common pathophysiological mechanism that underlies the development and progression of these disorders. Furthermore, many psychiatric disorders are also often accompanied by chronic medical conditions related to immune dysfunction such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes and atherosclerosis. One of the major psychiatric disorders that has been associated with an altered immune system is schizophrenia, with approximately one third of patients with this disorder showing immunological abnormalities such as an altered cytokine profile in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. An altered cytokine profile is also found in a proportion of patients with major depressive disorder and is thought to be potentially related to the pathophysiology of this disorder. Emerging evidence suggests that altered immune parameters may also be implicated in the neurobiological etiology of autism spectrum disorders. Further support for a role of immune dysregulation in the pathophysiology of these psychiatric disorders comes from studies showing the immunomodulating effects of antipsychotics and antidepressants, and the mood altering effects of anti-inflammatory therapies. This review will not attempt to discuss all of the psychiatric disorders that have been associated with an augmented immune system, but will instead focus on several key disorders where dysregulation of this system has been implicated in their pathophysiology including depression, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinead M Gibney
- Department of Immunology, Na1101, Erasmus MC, Dr. Molewaterplein 50, Erasmus MC, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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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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Berk M, Dean O, Drexhage H, McNeil JJ, Moylan S, O'Neil A, Davey CG, Sanna L, Maes M. Aspirin: a review of its neurobiological properties and therapeutic potential for mental illness. BMC Med 2013; 11:74. [PMID: 23506529 PMCID: PMC3751197 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-11-74] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
There is compelling evidence to support an aetiological role for inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS), and mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of major neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). These may represent new pathways for therapy. Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is an irreversible inhibitor of both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2, It stimulates endogenous production of anti-inflammatory regulatory 'braking signals', including lipoxins, which dampen the inflammatory response and reduce levels of inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin (IL)--6, but not negative immunoregulatory cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-10. Aspirin can reduce oxidative stress and protect against oxidative damage. Early evidence suggests there are beneficial effects of aspirin in preclinical and clinical studies in mood disorders and schizophrenia, and epidemiological data suggests that high-dose aspirin is associated with a reduced risk of AD. Aspirin, one of the oldest agents in medicine, is a potential new therapy for a range of neuropsychiatric disorders, and may provide proof-of-principle support for the role of inflammation and O&NS in the pathophysiology of this diverse group of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Berk
- School of Medicine, Deakin University, 75 Pigdon's Road, Waurn Ponds, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia.
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Elevated serum level of type-2 cytokine and low IL-17 in first episode psychosis and schizophrenia in relapse. J Psychiatr Res 2012; 46:1421-6. [PMID: 22974591 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is chronic and debilitating mental disorder. In broad spectrum of possible causes or contributing factors, immune system and cytokines were investigated in the onset and development of schizophrenia. The aim of our study was to analyze the serum concentrations of type-1 cytokines: TNF-α, IFN-γ, type-2 cytokines: IL-4, IL-10, type-17 cytokine: IL-17 and regulatory cytokines: TGF-β, IL-27, IL-6, in drug-naive patients with First Episode Psychosis - FEP (n = 88) and Schizophrenia in relapse - SC in relapse patients (n = 45), comparing to healthy controls (n = 36). Also, we attempted to determine potential correlation between cytokine levels and/or cytokine ratios with clinical parameters, such as severity of illness, positive, negative and general psychopathology. Our results showed decreased levels of IL-17 (p = 0.018), demonstrating that type-17 response is blunted in psychotic episode. Increased levels of IL-4 (p = 0.033) showed that type-2 response is overweight in psychotic episode. Also, levels of IL-4 in serum of SC in relapse patients were higher than controls (p < 0.0005) and patient with FEP (p = 0.003). This alteration was accompanied with increase in production of TGF-β in psychotic patients (p = 0.009) and also in FEP (p < 0.0005) and SC in relapse (p < 0.0005). Analysis showed that TGF-β can be a valuable marker for psychosis. The presence of enhanced anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive activity in schizophrenia may be an attempt to counteract or limit ongoing pro-inflammatory processes and downregulating chronic inflammation. Finally we have documented decreased levels of IL-17 and IL-17/TGF-β ratio in these types of psychotic patients, suggesting the new aspects of schizophrenia pathophysiology.
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Abstract
Recent research has overcome the old paradigms of the brain as an immunologically privileged organ, and of the exclusive role of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides as signal transducers in the central nervous system. Growing evidence suggests that the signal proteins of the immune system - the cytokines - are also involved in modulation of behavior and induction of psychiatric symptoms. This article gives an overview on the nature of cytokines and the proposed mechanisms of immune-to-brain interaction. The role of cytokines in psychiatric symptoms, syndromes, and disorders like sickness behavior, major depression, and schizophrenia are discussed together with recent immunogenetic findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus J Schwarz
- Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 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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Beumer W, Gibney SM, Drexhage RC, Pont-Lezica L, Doorduin J, Klein HC, Steiner J, Connor TJ, Harkin A, Versnel MA, Drexhage HA. The immune theory of psychiatric diseases: a key role for activated microglia and circulating monocytes. J Leukoc Biol 2012; 92:959-75. [PMID: 22875882 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0212100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This review describes a key role for mononuclear phagocytes in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders. There is accumulating evidence for activation of microglia (histopathology and PET scans) and circulating monocytes (enhanced gene expression of immune genes, an overproduction of monocyte/macrophage-related cytokines) in patients with bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia. These data are strengthened by observations in animal models, such as the MIA models, the chronic stress models, and the NOD mouse model. In these animal models of depressive-, anxiety-, and schizophrenia-like behavior, similar activations of microglia and circulating monocytes can be found. These animal models also make in-depth pathogenic studies possible and show that microglia activation impacts neuronal development and function in brain areas congruent with the altered depressive and schizophrenia-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wouter Beumer
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Schneider P, Weber-Fahr W, Schweinfurth N, Ho YJ, Sartorius A, Spanagel R, Pawlak CR. Central metabolite changes and activation of microglia after peripheral interleukin-2 challenge. Brain Behav Immun 2012; 26:277-83. [PMID: 21983278 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2011.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-2 regulates the immune response through the proliferation of activated T-cells and also exerts effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Alongside having marked neurobehavioral effects, IL-2 has been suggested to impact on various psychiatric disorders. The immune-CNS communication of IL-2 remains unclear, although, it is suggested that microglia are the source and target of IL-2. Here, we analyzed changes in brain metabolites following a peripheral IL-2 challenge and examined the contribution of microglia in mediating these effects. Rats were assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in a 9.4 T scanner for baseline metabolite levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus. After 7 days animals were scanned again following a single injection of IL-2 (2.5 μg/kg) and then tested on the elevated plus-maze for the correlation of IL-2-induced brain metabolites and measures of anxiety. In another experiment CD25(+) microglia cells were determined. A separate group of rats was injected either with IL-2 or vehicle, and afterward the PFC and hippocampus were dissected and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis was performed. The MRS scans in the intra-individual study design showed a significant increase in myo-inositol in the analyzed regions. A significant correlation of anxiety-like measures and myo-inositol, a marker for microglia activity, was found in the hippocampus. The FACS analysis showed a significant increase in CD25(+) microglia in the hippocampus compared to controls. The results support the role of microglia as a mediator in the immune-CNS communication and the effects of peripheral IL-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peggy Schneider
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Institute of Psychopharmacology, 68159 Mannheim, 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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Reversal of imbalance between kynurenic acid and 3-hydroxykynurenine by antipsychotics in medication-naïve and medication-free schizophrenic patients. Brain Behav Immun 2011; 25:1576-81. [PMID: 21620952 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2011.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2011] [Revised: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The association between the pro-inflammatory state of schizophrenia and increased tryptophan degradation into kynurenine has been reported. However, the relationship between metabolites from subdivisions of the kynurenine pathway, kynurenic acid and 3-hydroxykynurenine, remains unknown. The present study tested the relationship between these kynurenine metabolites in the plasma of medication-naïve (n=35) or medication-free (n=18) patients with schizophrenia at admission and following 6-week antipsychotic treatment compared to healthy controls (n=48). The plasma concentrations of kynurenic acid (nmol/l) were lower (difference=-8.44 (-13.22 to -3.65); p=0.001) and of 3-hydroxykynurenine (nmol/l) were higher (difference=11.24 (8.11-14.37); p<0.001) in the patients compared with the healthy controls. The kynurenic acid/kynurenine (difference=-2.75 (-5.115 to -0.336); p=0.026) and kynurenic acid/3-hydroxykynurenine (difference=-1.08 (-1.431 to -0.729); p<0.001) ratios were also lower in the patients. After the 6-week treatment, the patients' plasma kynurenic acid levels (difference=3.85 (-0.23 to 7.94); p=0.064) showed a trend towards an increase, whereas plasma 3-hydroxykynurenine levels (difference=22.41 (19.76-25.07); p<0.001) decreased. As a consequence, the kynurenic acid/3-hydroxykynurenine ratio (difference=-4.41 (-5.51 to -3.3); p<0.001) increased. Higher initial plasma kynurenic acid levels on admission or increased kynurenic acid/kynurenine ratio after treatment were associated with reduction of clinical symptoms scores upon discharge although higher kynurenic acid/kynurenine on admission may induce higher positive symptoms score. In contrast, higher 3-hydroxykynurenine is associated with lower positive symptoms score. These results indicate that there is an imbalance in the kynurenine pathway in schizophrenia. The 6-week antipsychotic treatment may partially reverse the imbalance in kynurenine metabolism and that in turn induces clinical response.
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Yao JK, Keshavan MS. Antioxidants, redox signaling, and pathophysiology in schizophrenia: an integrative view. Antioxid Redox Signal 2011; 15:2011-35. [PMID: 21126177 PMCID: PMC3159108 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2010] [Revised: 11/26/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a brain disorder that has been intensively studied for over a century; yet, its etiology and multifactorial pathophysiology remain a puzzle. However, significant advances have been made in identifying numerous abnormalities in key biochemical systems. One among these is the antioxidant defense system (AODS) and redox signaling. This review summarizes the findings to date in human studies. The evidence can be broadly clustered into three major themes: perturbations in AODS, relationships between AODS alterations and other systems (i.e., membrane structure, immune function, and neurotransmission), and clinical implications. These domains of AODS have been examined in samples from both the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Findings in patients with SZ include decreased nonenzymatic antioxidants, increased lipid peroxides and nitric oxides, and homeostatic imbalance of purine catabolism. Reductions of plasma antioxidant capacity are seen in patients with chronic illness as well as early in the course of SZ. Notably, these data indicate that many AODS alterations are independent of treatment effects. Moreover, there is burgeoning evidence indicating a link among oxidative stress, membrane defects, immune dysfunction, and multineurotransmitter pathologies in SZ. Finally, the body of evidence reviewed herein provides a theoretical rationale for the development of novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey K Yao
- Medical Research Service, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System,7180 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA.
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Huang W, Li S, Hu Y, Yu H, Luo F, Zhang Q, Zhu F. Implication of the env gene of the human endogenous retrovirus W family in the expression of BDNF and DRD3 and development of recent-onset schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2011; 37:988-1000. [PMID: 20100784 PMCID: PMC3160218 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbp166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Retrovirus has been suggested as one of agents involved in the development of schizophrenia. In the present study, we examined the role of the human endogenous retrovirus W family (HERV-W) env gene in the etiopathogenesis of recent-onset schizophrenia, using molecular and epidemiological approaches. METHODS Nested RT-PCR was used to detect the messenger RNA (mRNA) of the HERV-w env gene in plasmas. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the viral reverse transcriptase activity in human sera. Human U251 glioma cells were used to study the potential role of the HERV-W env gene in the etiopathogenesis of recent-onset schizophrenia. RESULTS We identified genes with mRNA sequences homologous to HERV-W env gene from plasmas of 42 out of 118 individuals with recent-onset schizophrenia but not from any of 106 normal persons (P < .01, t test). Quantitative real-time PCR showed a significantly increase in the reverse transcriptase activity in the sera of patients (by 35.59%) compared with controls (by 2.83%) (P < .05, t test). Overexpression of HERV-w env in human U251 glioma cells upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important schizophrenia-associated gene, neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 2 (NTRK2, also called TrkB), and dopamine receptor D3 and increased the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding (CREB) protein. BDNF promoter reporter gene assays showed that the HERV-W env triggers BDNF production in human U251 glioma cells. Using gene knockdown, we found that CREB is required for the expression of BDNF that is regulated by env. CONCLUSION Our data revealed that the transcriptional activation of HERV is associated with the development of schizophrenia in some patients and indicated that HERV-W env regulates the expression of schizophrenia-associated genes. This report is the first to elucidate the signaling pathway responsible for the upregulation of HERV-W env-triggered BDNF. Our study provides new evidence for the involvement of HERV-W in the central nervous system, which will benefit the diagnosis and treatment of the devastating schizophrenia and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- WenJie Huang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China,Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - YuanMing Hu
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Honglian Yu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Luo
- School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Zhang
- School of Medicine, Stanford University, CA
| | - Fan Zhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: 86-27-68759906, e-mail:
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Meyer U, Schwarz MJ, Müller N. Inflammatory processes in schizophrenia: a promising neuroimmunological target for the treatment of negative/cognitive symptoms and beyond. Pharmacol Ther 2011; 132:96-110. [PMID: 21704074 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2011.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 06/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that schizophrenia is associated with activated peripheral and central inflammatory responses. Such inflammatory processes seem to be influenced by a number of environmental and genetic predisposition factors, and they may critically depend on and contribute to the progressive nature of schizophrenic disease. There is also appreciable evidence to suggest that activated inflammatory responses can undermine disease-relevant affective, emotional, social, and cognitive functions, so that inflammatory processes may be particularly relevant for the precipitation of negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Recent clinical trials of anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy in this disorder provide promising results by showing superior beneficial treatment effects when standard antipsychotic drugs are co-administered with anti-inflammatory compounds, as compared with treatment outcomes using antipsychotic drugs alone. Given the limited efficacy of currently available antipsychotic drugs to ameliorate negative and cognitive symptoms, the further exploration of inflammatory mechanisms and anti-inflammatory strategies may open fruitful new avenues for improved treatment of symptoms undermining affective, emotional, social and cognitive functions pertinent to schizophrenic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urs Meyer
- Physiology and Behaviour Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Schorenstrasse 16, 8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland.
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Reale M, Patruno A, De Lutiis MA, Pesce M, Felaco M, Di Giannantonio M, Di Nicola M, Grilli A. Dysregulation of chemo-cytokine production in schizophrenic patients versus healthy controls. BMC Neurosci 2011; 12:13. [PMID: 21266029 PMCID: PMC3038147 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-12-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The exact cause of schizophrenia is not known, although several aetiological theories have been proposed for the disease, including developmental or neurodegenerative processes, neurotransmitter abnormalities, viral infection and immune dysfunction or autoimmune mechanisms. Growing evidence suggests that specific cytokines and chemokines play a role in signalling the brain to produce neurochemical, neuroendocrine, neuroimmune and behavioural changes. A relationship between inflammation and schizophrenia was supported by abnormal cytokines production, abnormal concentrations of cytokines and cytokine receptors in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid in schizophrenia. Since the neuropathology of schizophrenia has recently been reported to be closely associated with microglial activation we aimed to determined whether spontaneous or LPS-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell chemokines and cytokines production is dysregulated in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy subjects. We enrolled 51 untreated first-episode schizophrenics (SC) and 40 healthy subjects (HC) and the levels of MCP-1, MIP-1α, IL-8, IL-18, IFN-γ and RANTES were determined by Elisa method in cell-free supernatants of PBMC cultures. Results In the simultaneous quantification we found significantly higher levels of constitutively and LPS-induced MCP-1, MIP-1α, IL-8 and IL-18, and lower RANTES and IFNγ levels released by PBMC of SC patients compared with HC. In ten SC patients receiving therapy with risperidone, olanzapine or clozapine basal and LPS-induced production of RANTES and IL-18 was increased, while both basal and LPS-induced MCP-1 production was decreased. No statistically significant differences were detected in serum levels after therapy. Conclusion The observation that in schizophrenic patients the PBMC production of selected chemo-cytokines is dysregulated reinforces the hypothesis that the peripheral cyto-chemokine network is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. These preliminary, but promising data are supportive of the application of wider profiling approaches to the identification of biomarker as diagnostic tools for the analysis of psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Reale
- Department of Oncology and Experimental Medicine, University G, D'Annunzio, Via dei Vestini, 31, Chieti, 66123, Italy.
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Drexhage RC, Weigelt K, van Beveren N, Cohen D, Versnel MA, Nolen WA, Drexhage HA. Immune and neuroimmune alterations in mood disorders and schizophrenia. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2011; 101:169-201. [PMID: 22050852 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-387718-5.00007-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A large number of publications over the past 20 years have indicated that immune system function is altered in schizophrenia and mood disorder patients. This chapter reviews the evidence, which suggests that a proinflammatory state of the cytokine network induces psychopathologic symptoms and may be involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of these major mental illnesses. The authors also present recent data, which relates immune activation to present theories on the influence of activated immune cells in altering brain function. They also focus on the role of the environment in immune activation and on the role of the microbiome and gut flora. Increased understanding of such factors could help in the development of novel treatment strategies and improved clinical management of mental disorders.
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Steiner J, Jacobs R, Panteli B, Brauner M, Schiltz K, Bahn S, Herberth M, Westphal S, Gos T, Walter M, Bernstein HG, Myint AM, Bogerts B. Acute schizophrenia is accompanied by reduced T cell and increased B cell immunity. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2010; 260:509-18. [PMID: 20107825 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-010-0098-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2009] [Accepted: 01/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies of lymphocyte distribution in schizophrenia have yielded inconsistent results, as summarized in the present study. Based on our own original data, potential confounds that might explain these variations are analyzed and discussed. Blood samples from 26 patients with acute paranoid schizophrenia were investigated in comparison with 32 matched healthy controls by flow cytometry (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, and CD56 phenotyping). A subgroup of drug-free patients was followed up after 6 weeks of treatment. Cotinine levels and the free cortisol index (FCI) were provided in order to control for medication, smoking, and stress. Cotinine levels correlated with natural killer (NK) cell counts (CD3⁻/CD56(+): r = -0.383, P = 0.003) while the FCI was related to B cell numbers (CD19(+): r = 0.390, P = 0.003). Considering these covariates, a lower level of T helper cells (P = 0.010), a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio (P = 0.029), and elevated B cells (P = 0.008) were found during acute psychosis. After 6 weeks of medication, an inverse pattern was observed in initially drug-free patients: total T cell (P = 0.005), T helper (P = 0.003), and T suppressor/cytotoxic cells (P = 0.005) increased, while B cell counts declined (P = 0.049). In conclusion, acute paranoid schizophrenia may be accompanied by a reduced T cell defense and a shift towards B cell immunity, which normalizes in response to treatment. In addition to disease stage or subtype and medication, cigarette smoking and stress are important co-factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Steiner
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Germany.
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Drexhage RC, Knijff EM, Padmos RC, Heul-Nieuwenhuijzen LVD, Beumer W, Versnel MA, Drexhage HA. The mononuclear phagocyte system and its cytokine inflammatory networks in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Expert Rev Neurother 2010; 10:59-76. [PMID: 20021321 DOI: 10.1586/ern.09.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This review describes patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In such patients, a high inflammatory set point of circulating monocytes at the transcriptome level is observed, involving various inflammatory transcripts forming distinct fingerprints (the transcriptomic monocyte fingerprint in schizophrenia overlaps with that in bipolar disorder, but also differs with it at points). There are increased levels of compounds of the IL-1, IL-6 and TNF system in the serum (be it modest and inconsistent). There is also evidence that the IL-2 system is activated in patients with schizophrenia (and perhaps those with mania), although independently of the activation of the IL-1, IL-6 and TNF systems, suggesting separate inducing mechanisms for monocyte and T-cell activation. It is not yet known whether such T cell activation involves the Th1/Th2/Th17 or Treg systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roosmarijn C Drexhage
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, PO Box 2040, 3000CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Rapaport MH, Bresee C. Serial mitogen-stimulated cytokine production from continuously ill patients with schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2010; 35:428-34. [PMID: 19759532 PMCID: PMC2794914 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2009.145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Revised: 07/09/2009] [Accepted: 08/12/2009] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the immune system has been implicated in an increasingly large number of disease states and can influence cognition, mood, and memory. There is a long and controversial history of reports of immune activation associated with schizophrenia. In this study, we measured mitogen-stimulated cytokine levels serially in 100 medication-stabilized continuously ill subjects with schizophrenia and compared and contrasted them with mitogen-stimulated cytokine levels from 51 normal volunteers. The subjects with schizophrenia had consistently higher mitogen-stimulated IL-2 levels and lower IL-6 levels than the normal volunteers. These effects could not be explained by medications, smoking, or other clinical variables. We conclude that continuously symptomatic medication-stabilized subjects with schizophrenia have a mitogen-stimulated cytokine expression pattern that is suggestive of ongoing immune activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark H Rapaport
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
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Association study of interleukin 2 (IL2) and IL4 with schizophrenia in a Japanese population. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2008; 258:422-7. [PMID: 18574615 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-008-0813-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2008] [Accepted: 03/17/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-4 are pleiotropic cytokines regulating Th1/Th2 balance and have a regulatory activity in brain function. Thus these cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The latest studies provided controversial results regarding the genetic associations of these cytokines. The functional polymorphisms, IL2-330T/G and IL4-590C/T, were associated with schizophrenia in a German population, although contradictory findings were also reported in a Korean population. To ascertain whether IL2 and IL4 contribute to vulnerability to schizophrenia, we conducted a moderate-scale case-control (536 patients and 510 controls) association study for seven polymorphisms in Japanese subjects. There were no significant associations of these genes with schizophrenia using either single marker or haplotype analyses. The present study suggests that IL2 and IL4 do not contribute to vulnerability to schizophrenia in the Japanese population.
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O'Brien SM, Scully P, Dinan TG. Increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations with interleukin-4 concentrations in exacerbations of schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2008; 160:256-62. [PMID: 18722671 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2007.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2007] [Revised: 07/01/2007] [Accepted: 11/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have indicated that cytokines may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Previous studies, however, have yielded contradictory results; in this study we assess the plasma levels of both T-helper-1 (Th1) and T-helper-2 (Th2) cytokines in patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia. Plasma concentrations of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble receptor of interleukin-6 (sIL-6R) were measured with high sensitivity, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in patients with acute exacerbations of schizophrenia as compared with healthy controls. Patients with an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia had significantly increased production of TNF-alpha and significantly reduced production of IL-4 as compared with healthy subjects. No significant difference was observed in IL-6, sIL-6R, IL-8 and IL-10. Acute exacerbations of schizophrenia are associated with increased TNF-alpha concentrations (Th1) with concomitantly reduced concentrations of IL-4 (Th2) and a resulting increased TNF-alpha/IL-4 ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinead M O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Ireland
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Potvin S, Stip E, Sepehry AA, Gendron A, Bah R, Kouassi E. Inflammatory cytokine alterations in schizophrenia: a systematic quantitative review. Biol Psychiatry 2008; 63:801-8. [PMID: 18005941 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2007.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 716] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2007] [Revised: 07/30/2007] [Accepted: 09/29/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cytokines play an important role in infection and inflammation and are crucial mediators of the cross-talk between the brain and the immune system. Schizophrenia would be associated with an imbalance in inflammatory cytokines, leading to a decrease in Th1 and an increase in Th2 cytokine secretion. However, data published so far have been inconsistent. The primary objective of the present meta-analysis was to verify whether the cytokine imbalance hypothesis of schizophrenia is substantiated by evidence. METHODS Cross-sectional studies were included if they assessed in vivo plasma or serum cytokine concentrations and/or in vitro secretion of cytokines by peripheral blood leukocytes from schizophrenia patients and healthy volunteers. RESULTS Data from 62 studies involving a total sample size of 2298 schizophrenia patients and 1858 healthy volunteers remained for analysis. Ten cytokines were assessed, including the prototypic Th1 and Th2 cytokines gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) as well as IL-2, soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-6, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), and IL-10. The results show that an increase occurs in in vivo IL-1RA, sIL-2R, and IL-6 and a decrease occurs in in vitro IL-2 in schizophrenia. No significant effect sizes were obtained for the other cytokines. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the first evidence of establishment of an inflammatory syndrome in schizophrenia, which refutes the current hypothesis of a Th2 slant. Caveats are presented to data interpretation, including the role of stress and the effect of weight gain that develops in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Potvin
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Fernand-Seguin Research Center, Louis-H Lafontaine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Na KS, Kim YK. Monocytic, Th1 and th2 cytokine alterations in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Neuropsychobiology 2008; 56:55-63. [PMID: 18037815 DOI: 10.1159/000111535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2007] [Accepted: 07/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that changes in the serum levels and cellular production of various cytokines are associated with the immunological abnormalities of schizophrenia. Several studies have examined alterations in T helper type 1 (Th1) and T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines in schizophrenia. We explored monocytic, Th1 and Th2 cytokines in 43 schizophrenia patients and 50 normal controls. The mitogen-induced production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-4, gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) and IL-2 was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays before and after antipsychotic treatment. IL-6 and TNF-alpha production by schizophrenic patients was significantly higher than by normal controls, while IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma production was significantly lower in schizophrenic patients. After 6 weeks of antipsychotic treatment, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production was significantly decreased, while IL-4, IFN-gamma and IL-2 productions were not significantly changed. Our results suggest that increased monocytic cytokines and decreased Th1 and Th2 cytokines may be associated with the immunopathogenesis of acute psychotic schizophrenia, and that antipsychotics may play an important role in immune response by decreasing elevated monocytic cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyeong-Sae Na
- Department of Psychiatry, Korea University, Ansan, Seoul, Korea
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