Elevated expression of integrin alpha(IIb) beta(IIIa) in drug-naïve, first-episode schizophrenic patients.
BACKGROUND
Patients with schizophrenia have an increased risk over the general public of developing cardiovascular illness. It is unknown if there are functional changes in platelet surface receptors in schizophrenia. We therefore analyzed the surface expression of glycoprotein (GP)Ib, the integrin receptor alpha(IIb)beta(IIIa), CD62 (P-selectin), and CD63, and investigated platelet function in schizophrenic patients compared with healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Nineteen drug-naive, first-episode patients with a DSM IV diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia were compared with matched healthy controls. Flow cytometry was used to assess platelet surface expression levels of GPIb, alpha(IIb)beta(IIIa), CD62, and CD63. Adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation was assayed.


RESULTS
The schizophrenic patients had a significantly (p < .0001) increased number of 68,145 +/- 8,260.1 alpha(IIb)beta(IIIa) receptors, platelet compared with 56,235 +/- 8,079.4 receptors, platelet in healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with schizophrenia have increased platelet expression of alpha(IIb)beta(IIIa), which may contribute to their increased risk of cardiovascular illness compared with the general population.
Walsh
Marie Thérèse
MT
Respiratory Research Group, Smurfit Building, Beaumont Hospital, Beaumont, Ireland.
Ryan
Martina
M
Hillmann
Andrew
A
Condren
Rita
R
Kenny
Dermot
D
Dinan
Timothy
T
Thakore
Jogin H
JH
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D040201:Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb / Q000097:blood*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D012307:Risk Factors; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D060149:Tetraspanin 30
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C554586:CD63 protein, human; D019007:P-Selectin; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D040201:Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein IIb; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D060149:Tetraspanin 30; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate