Th1, Th2 and Th3 cytokine alteration in schizophrenia.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have shown that there is an imbalance between T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines and T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines in patients with schizophrenia. The T helper 3 (Th3) cytokine, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1), has been shown to suppress the production of Th1 cytokines. Therefore it is hypothesized that it may play a role in schizophrenia by suppressing overactive Th1 system.


METHODS
We recruited 88 schizophrenic patients and 88 matched controls. The basal plasma concentrations of IFN-gamma (Th1), IL-4 (Th2) and TGF-beta1 (Th3) were studied at the time the patients were admitted to the hospital and following 8 weeks of treatment with antipsychotics.


RESULTS
The detection rate of plasma IFN-gamma and basal plasma TGF-beta1 level were significantly higher in schizophrenic patients than in controls whereas detection rate of plasma IL-4 was lower in patients. The ratio of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IFN-gamma/IL-4) was higher in schizophrenic patients. Following the neuroleptic treatment, the IFNgamma and TGF-beta1 levels returned to control values, and IL-4 concentration rose above the control value.


CONCLUSIONS
Schizophrenic patients showed higher Th1/Th2 ratio which is attenuated by effective neuroleptic treatment. It is possible that TGF-beta1 plays a role in reducing the activity of Th1 cytokine.
Kim
Yong-Ku
YK
Department of Psychiatry, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital, 516, Go-Jan Dong, Ansan City, Kyunggi Province 425-070, South Korea. yongku@korea.ac.kr
Myint
Aye-Mu
AM
Lee
Bun-Hee
BH
Han
Chang-Su
CS
Lee
Heon-Jeong
HJ
Kim
Dae-Jin
DJ
Leonard
Brian E
BE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; C508960:TGFB1 protein, human; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma