Acute schizophrenia is accompanied by reduced T cell and increased B cell immunity

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.

Biomarkers, population-based studies and a proof of principle investigation in pharmacotherapy

“…Related to that, Steiner et al [2] describe in their well-designed paper that in acute paranoid schizophrenia, there might well be reduced T-cell defense and a shift toward B-cell immunity, which normalizes in the response to treatment. Importantly, they point out that in addition to the disease stage or subtype of the illness medication, cigarette smoking and stress are important co-factors.…”

Testes sanguíneos de biomarcadores para diagnóstico e tratamento de desordens mentais: foco em esquizofrenia

“…This algorithm was trained to identify molecules associated with schizophrenia and then we were able to identify stable molecular differences in the patient populations. Through studies of first onset patients we have discovered that most patients with schizophrenia have differences in the levels of insulinrelated molecules 28 , other hormones of the diffuse neuroendocrine system 49 , inflammatory factors 5,50 and molecules associated with endothelial cell function 48 . It is anticipated that determination of which of these factors are altered in each subject will be useful for patient stratification prior to antipsychotic treatment.…”

Os possíveis papéis da S100B na esquizofrenia

“…Alterations in cytokine expression patterns 44 , such as increased levels of peripheral blood interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as a shift from T-to B-cell-mediated immunity 45 have been observed. Moreover, several immune-related susceptibility genes for schizophrenia have been identified in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region of chromosome 6p21.3-22.1 46 .…”