Cytokine serum levels, autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction and surface marker analysis in never medicated and chronically medicated schizophrenic patients.
A number of immunological parameters were studied in 82 DSM-III-R diagnosed schizophrenic patients (53 first drug-naive and 29 medicated chronic patients) as well as 62 healthy blood donors. The serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured and correlated with cellular immunity, as assessed by the autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (AMLR). T lymphocyte subsets were also examined. The above immune parameters were reassessed in a subgroup of 11 first-episode, drug-naive patients 1month after neuroleptic medication. IL-2 serum levels were significantly lower, and IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in schizophrenic patients compared with healthy donors (P<0.001); no significant difference was observed between the two patient groups (medicated and not medicated). Abnormal cytokine serum levels were associated with decreased AMLR responses in vitro. Increased percentages of activated CD4+ and CD16+ natural killer cells, as well as cells expressing ICAM-1 adhesion molecules and IL-2 specific receptors, were detected in the patients. Immunophenotype studies revealed a higher percentage of cells expressing IL-2 receptors in medicated chronic schizophrenic patients compared with drug-naive patients. The abnormal cytokine production in vivo, along with the low AMLR responses in vitro, and the high percentage of activated CD4+ lymphocytes presented in this study suggest alterations in the immune system of schizophrenic patients (medicated or not medicated) consistent with immune activation.
Theodoropoulou
S
S
Psychiatry Department, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ypsilandou Str., Athens, Greece.
Spanakos
G
G
Baxevanis
C N
CN
Economou
M
M
Gritzapis
A D
AD
Papamichail
M P
MP
Stefanis
C N
CN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016207:Cytokines