title: Identification of a molecular profile associated with immune status in first-onset schizophrenia patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alterations in immunological parameters have been reported for schizophrenia although little is known about the effects of inflammatory status on immune-related functional changes at disease onset. Here, we have investigated such T cell-dependent molecular changes in first-onset, antipsychotic-naive schizophrenia patients using a novel ex vivo blood culture system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples from patients (n=17) and controls (n=17) were collected into stimulant-containing or null control TruCulture™ tubes, incubated 24 hours and the concentrations of 107 immune and metabolic molecules measured in the conditioned media using the HumanMAP™ immunoassay system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine molecules showed altered release from schizophrenia blood cells compared to those from controls and this was replicated in an independent cohort. In silico pathway analysis showed that these molecules had roles in endothelial cell function, inflammation, acute phase response and fibrinolysis pathways. Importantly, five of these molecules showed altered release only after stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has identified a reproducible peripheral molecular signature associated with altered immune function in first-onset schizophrenia subjects. This suggests that immune status can affect the biomarker profile which could be important for personalized medicine strategies. Furthermore, whole blood culture analysis may be useful in the identification of diagnostic tools or novel treatment strategies due to ease-of-use and clinical accessibility.
authors: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, UK.
authors: Marlis
authors: M
authors: Herberth
authors: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, UK.
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Rahmoune
authors: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, UK.
authors: Emanuel
authors: E
authors: Schwarz
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
authors: Dagmar
authors: D
authors: Koethe
authors: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, UK.
authors: Laura W
authors: LW
authors: Harris
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Kranaster
authors: Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
authors: Stephanie H
authors: SH
authors: Witt
authors: Rules Based Medicine, Austin, Texas, USA.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Spain
authors: Rules Based Medicine, Austin, Texas, USA.
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Barnes
authors: EDI GmbH, Experimentelle & Diagnostische Immunologie, Reutlingen, Germany.
authors: Manfred
authors: M
authors: Schmolz
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Germany.
authors: Markus F
authors: MF
authors: Leweke
authors: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, UK.
authors: Paul C
authors: PC
authors: Guest
authors: Institute of Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QT, UK.
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Bahn
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D057285:Precision Medicine; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines
keywords: Blood Cells; Immune System; Multiplex Immunoassay; Proteomics; Schizophrenia