Decreased interleukin-2 production in Korean schizophrenic patients.
BACKGROUND
It has been postulated that autoimmune process may play a role in the pathogenesis of symptoms in some schizophrenic patients. Findings of altered interleukin (IL) regulation have been regarded as additional proof that schizophrenia has an autoimmunological background.


METHODS
Sixteen patients who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia and who were drug free for at least six months and the same number of age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. The severity of symptoms in schizophrenia was assessed by BPRS. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated production and serum level of IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease of IL-2 production (p < .01) in schizophrenic patients and a significant increase of IL-2 serum level (p < .01). No significant difference of IL-1 beta and IL-6 was found. Some patients and controls had measurable serum level of IL-1 beta and IL-6. No significant correlation between production and serum level of IL-1 beta, -2, -6 and age, duration of illness, and BPRS score in schizophrenics was found.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to describe a decrease of IL-2 production and increase of IL-2 serum level in non-Caucasian schizophrenic patients. These findings are further evidence that autoimmune process is present, regardless of ethnic origin, in some schizophrenic patients.
Kim
Y K
YK
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
M S
MS
Suh
K Y
KY
D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins