title: Beta2-microglobulin abnormalities in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia: evidence for immune pathogenesis.
abstract: Studies examining immune dysfunction in schizophrenia have reported decreased type-1 T-helper cell specific immunity (Th1) and increased type-2 T-helper cell specific immunity (Th2) and related abnormalities in inflammatory system. Beta2-Microglobulin (beta2M) influences the development of dendritic cells, which play a significant role in regulating the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into Th1 or Th2 lineages. The present study examined serum beta2M in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients (n=43) in comparison with age, sex, handedness and socioeconomic status matched healthy controls (n=43). Serum beta2M was significantly higher in schizophrenia patients (1692.6+/-354.4 ng/mL) than healthy controls (1409.6+/-246.9 ng/mL) (t=4.3; p<0.0001). There was a significant positive correlation between beta2M level and total psychopathology score (r=0.32; p=0.035). These novel observations suggest that beta2M abnormalities might have a potential association with the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore 560029, India.
authors.forename: Seetharamaiah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chittiprol
authors.forename: Ganesan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venkatasubramanian
authors.forename: Narendran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Neelakantachar
authors.forename: Naveen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Allha
authors.forename: Kurudunje Taranath
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Bangalore N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Gangadhar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin