Cryoglobulins as Potential Triggers of Inflammation in Schizophrenia

• Main Authors: Andranik Chavushyan, Meri Hovsepyan, Anna Boyajyan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2013-01-01
• Series: Schizophrenia Research and Treatment
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/125264

This case study aimed to investigate effects of type III cryoglobulins isolated from the blood of patients with schizophrenia on the production of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and chemotactic cytokines IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The experiments were performed in vitro using PBMCs healthy subjects and the blood of patients whit schizoprenia. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay were used upon study. The results obtained indicated significant increase (P<0.05) in IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, and MCP-1 production by cultured PBMCs when incubating for 24 hours with cryoglobulins, beginning from 0.4 mg/mL. The gender difference does not affect the cryoglobulins-induced production of these cytokines by PBMCs. No influence of cryoglobulins on production of IL-10 by PBMCs was observed. Also, it was shown that cryoglobulins in concentration ≤4 mg/mL possessed no cytotoxic effect towards cultured PBMCs. Based upon the results obtained, we concluded that type III cryoglobulins are implicated in schizophrenia-associated alterations in the immune response through induction of the expression of proinflammatory and chemotactic cytokines by PBMCs.