title: Serum and gene expression profile of cytokines in first-episode psychosis.
abstract: An inflammatory syndrome has been previously reported in chronic schizophrenia. The aims of this study were to investigate: (1) serum levels and leukocyte gene expression of cytokines in patients with first-episode psychosis and controls; and (2) possible causes of abnormal cytokine levels in first-episode psychosis, testing their association with psychosocial stressors, current nicotine and cannabis use, and duration of antipsychotic treatment. We recruited 24 first-episode psychosis patients and 24 healthy controls matched for age, gender, ethnicity and body mass index. Serum interleukin(IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, Tumour Necrosis Factor- α (TNF-α), Interferon- γ (IFN-γ), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were analysed in all subjects. Leukocyte gene expression analyses were conducted only for those cytokines that were different between-groups in the serum analyses. Patients had significantly higher serum levels of IL-1α (effect size d=0.6, p=0.03), IL-1β (d=0.4, p=0.01), IL-8 (d=0.6, p=0.01) and TNF-α (d=0.7, p=0.05) and a trend for higher IL-6 serum levels (d=0.3, p=0.09) when compared with controls. Leukocyte m-RNA levels of IL-1α (d=0.6, p=0.04), IL-6 (d=0.7, p=0.01) and TNF-α (d=1.6, p<0.001), but not IL-1β and IL-8, were also significantly higher in patients. A history of childhood trauma was associated with higher TNF-α serum levels (p=0.01), while more recent stressful life-events were associated with higher TNF-α mRNA levels in leukocytes (p=0.002). In conclusion, first-episode psychosis is characterised by a pro-inflammatory state supported, at least in part, by activation of leukocytes. Past and recent stressors contribute to this pro-inflammatory state.
authors: King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychological Medicine, London, UK.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Di Nicola
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Cattaneo
authors: Nilay
authors: N
authors: Hepgul
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Di Forti
authors: Katherine J
authors: KJ
authors: Aitchison
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Janiri
authors: Robin M
authors: RM
authors: Murray
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Dazzan
authors: Carmine M
authors: CM
authors: Pariante
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Mondelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines