Cryoglobulins as indicators of upregulated immune response in schizophrenia.
OBJECTIVE
In the present work the concentration of abnormal immune complexes, cryoglobulins (Cgs), in the blood of schizophrenic patients was determined, and immunochemical composition of these complexes was studied.


METHODS
Eighty multiple-episode schizophrenia-affected subjects (55 medicated, 25 drug-free) and 40 healthy controls were involved in the study. Cgs were isolated by exposure of blood serum samples to precipitation at low temperature followed by extensive washings of Cg-enriched pellets. The immunochemical composition of Cgs was analyzed using different electrophoretic and immunoblotting systems.


RESULTS
Significantly increased blood serum levels of type III Cgs were detected in all schizophrenia-affected subjects, as compared to controls. We also revealed the presence of C1q and C3 complement proteins and their activation products in Cgs isolated from the blood of schizophrenic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study suggest that Cgs are involved in schizophrenia-associated upregulated immune response by binding the complement proteins, activating the complement cascade and triggering aberrant apoptosis.
Boyajyan
Anna
A
Institute of Molecular Biology NAS RA, 7 Hasratyan St, 0014 Yerevan, Armenia. aboyajyan@sci.am
Khoyetsyan
Aren
A
Tsakanova
Gohar
G
Sim
Robert B
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000276:immunology; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003176:Complement C3; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D015922:Complement C1q