Inflammatory biomarkers in psychosis and clinical high risk populations.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Immunological, nutritional, and microbial factors have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, but the interrelationship among measures is understudied. In particular, an increase in the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is associated with all phases of the illness, and may be associated with other inflammatory markers. Vitamin D is a modulator of the immune system, and LPS antibodies are an indirect measure of gut barrier function. In this study we investigated potential contributing inflammatory mechanisms for IL-6 elevation.

METHODS:

We compared the levels of vitamin D, C-reactive protein (CRP), antibodies to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and IL-6 in children, adolescents and young adults with psychosis (n = 47), individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (n = 17) and unaffected comparison controls (n = 33). Participants were diagnosed by a psychiatrist, using a structured interview, the MINI-Neuropsychiatric Interview. 25(OH)D was measured in serum using chemiluminescent micro particle immunoassay, and anti-LPS antibodies, CRP and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTS:

IL-6 and C-reactive protein levels were significantly elevated in the psychosis group relative to the unaffected control subjects. In the psychosis group, levels of IL-6 correlated positively with IgA anti-LPS antibodies and negatively correlated with vitamin D.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings show a significant correlation between IL-6, anti-LPS antibodies and vitamin D deficiency in psychosis, suggesting the existence of multiple potential pathways related to IL-6 elevation in psychosis, and therefore multiple potential strategies for risk mitigation. Collectively these findings support hypotheses regarding interrelated inflammatory contributions to the pathophysiology of psychosis.

• Authors: Shannon Delaney, Brian Fallon, Armin Alaedini, Robert Yolken, Alyssa Indart, Tianshu Feng, Yuanjia Wang, Daniel Javitt
• Journal: Schizophrenia research (Schizophr Res) Vol. 206 Pg. 440-443 (04 2019) ISSN: 1573-2509 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 30414721 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Interleukin-6
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Vitamin D
• C-Reactive Protein

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Biomarkers (blood)
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Child
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Inflammation (blood, complications, immunology)
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Lipopolysaccharides (blood)
• Male
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Psychotic Disorders (blood, complications, immunology)
• Risk Factors
• Schizophrenia (blood, complications, immunology)
• Vitamin D (blood)
• Vitamin D Deficiency (blood, complications)
• Young Adult