The expression of immune related genes and potential regulatory mechanisms in schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the role of immune dysfunction in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia through single-cell transcriptome and bulk RNA data analyses.

METHODS

The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was selected to assess the cellular composition and gene expression profiles of the brain tissue. Further, bulk RNA sequencing data was utilized to corroborate findings from the single-cell analyses and provide additional insights into the molecular changes associated with the disease. Gene-drug interaction data was also included to identify potential therapeutic drugs targeting these dysregulated immune-related genes in schizophrenia.

RESULTS

We discovered significant differences in cellular composition within schizophrenia tissue, including increased infiltration of fibroblasts, horizontal basal cells, monocytes, mesenchymal cells, and smooth muscle cells. The investigation of immune-related genes revealed significantly different expression of genes such as S100A2, CCL14, IGHA1, BPIFA1, GDF15, IL32, BPIFB2, HLA-DRA, S100A8, PTX3, TPM2, TNFRSF12A, GREM1 and others. These genes possibly contribute to the progression of schizophrenia through various pathways such as humoral immune response, IL-17 signaling pathway, adaptive immune response, antigen processing and presentation, and gut IgA production. Our findings also suggest possible transcriptional regulation in schizophrenia's immune dysfunction by transcription factors in monocytes, neutrophils, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. Lastly, potential therapeutic drugs were identified through gene-drug interaction data, such as those targeting HLA-A and HLAB.

CONCLUSION

The cellular heterogeneity and immune-related gene dysregulation play important roles in schizophrenia, which provides a foundation for understanding the pathogenesis and developing new treatment methods.

Bulk Sequencing from mRNA with UMI for Evaluation of B-Cell Isotype and Clonal Evolution: A Method by the AIRR Community

During the course of an immune response to a virus such as influenza, B cells undergo activation, clonal expansion, isotype switching, and somatic hypermutation (SHM). Members of an antigen-experienced B-cell clone can have different sequence features including SHM in the immunoglobulin heavy-chain V (IGHV) gene and can use the same IGVH gene in combination with different constant regions or isotypes (e.g., IgM, IgG, IgA). To study these features of expanded clones in an immune response by AIRR-seq, we provide a bulk RNA-based sequencing experimental procedure with unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) and the accompanying bioinformatics analytical workflow.