A differential role for interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in schizophrenia?
Pro-inflammatory cytokines are dysregulated in schizophrenia. To determine the nature of the so-called inflammatory syndrome in schizophrenia, we investigated the circulating levels of various cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha), their natural antagonist (IL1-ra, TNF-RI, TNF-RII) and leukocyte activation markers (the soluble receptor of interleukin-2, soluble CD14 and soluble CD23) in subjects with chronic schizophrenia (n = 18) and in normal controls (n = 21). The levels of IL-1 beta and its antagonist and the levels of leukocyte activation markers were not significantly differents between patients and controls. Circulating levels of TNF alpha were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in patients than in controls and did not result from variations of its antagonist levels. The significant (p < 0.05) increase in patient IL-6 was related specifically to clinical status, i.e. illness duration. These data suggest a specific cytokine-mediated syndrome in schizophrenia. We hypothesize that TNF alpha and IL-6 reflect the genetic background of disease suceptibility.
Naudin
J
J
Service Hospitalo-Universitaire de Psychiatrie, CHU Sainte-Marguerite, Marseille, France. artsnaud@pacwan.mm-soft.fr
Capo
C
C
Giusano
B
B
Mège
J L
JL
Azorin
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017455:Receptors, IgE / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology*
D015850:Interleukin-6; D007378:Interleukins; D018950:Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D017472:Receptors, Interleukin-1; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha