title: ICAM G241A polymorphism and soluble ICAM-1 serum levels: evidence for an active immune process in schizophrenia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously reported reduced serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in schizophrenic patients. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the ICAM-1 gene was described at position 241. The G-->A SNP results in a nonsynonymous amino acid exchange of the ICAM-1 protein, and the A allele was shown to be also associated with several immunological disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated 70 schizophrenic patients and 128 unrelated healthy control persons regarding the relationship between the serum levels of sICAM-1 and the ICAM-1 G214A polymorphism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We were able to replicate our previous finding of reduced sICAM-1 levels in schizophrenia. Healthy control persons carrying the polymorphic A allele showed markedly lower sICAM-1 serum levels than carriers of the homozygous GG wild type (p < 0.004). In contrast, no significant difference in the sICAM-1 serum levels were seen regarding the G241A genotype distribution in schizophrenic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We hypothesize that the biochemical effect of the G241A SNP is masked in schizophrenic patients, indicating a disease-related mechanism leading to reduced levels of sICAM-1 in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kronig
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: Markus J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strassnig
authors.forename: Hans-Jurgen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Moller
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ackenheil
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019943:Amino Acid Substitution / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016177:Macrophage-1 Antigen; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1