Immunomodulation in schizophrenia: A study among the Indian schizophrenia patients of Siliguri, West Bengal.
Authors investigated the circumstantial evidence for autoimmunity in schizophrenia patients of Siliguri by considering the immune parameters like HLA Class I genes, IL-2 and IL6 and T cell subsets. Low resolution PCR-SSP method was applied for typing the HLA genes. Serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were measured by ELISA method. The CD4+ and CD8+ subset count were done using flow cytometry. A significant increase in HLA A*03 gene was observed in patients along with the significant decrease of HLA-A*31 and HLA-B*51. Both IL-2 and IL-6 were found to have decreased levels in the patients. Although the mean percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was higher in patients but not significantly higher than controls. These cumulative preliminary findings are suggestive of alterations in the immune system of schizophrenia patients of this region.
Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Siliguri 734 430, West Bengal, India.
Bisu
B
Singh
Nirmal Kumar
NK
Bera
Chitta R
CR
Nayak
Tapas Kumar
TK
Chaudhuri