Increased inflammasome activity in markedly ill psychiatric patients: An explorative study

J Neuroimmunol. 2020 Feb 15:339:577119. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577119. Epub 2019 Nov 26.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory perturbations in 40 patients with severe and complex psychiatric disorders by studying the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome, with a trans-diagnostic approach. Gene expression of CASP1, NLRP3, PYCARD, IL1B, IL1RN, TNF showed a significant increase in the patient group compared to a matched control group. Plasma levels of IL1Ra, IL-18, TNF, IL-6 and CRP were increased in the patient group. Within the patient group, increased gene expression of inflammatory markers correlated with increased disease severity. The findings support the inflammation hypothesis for markedly ill psychiatric patients across diagnostic groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Caspase 1 / blood
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammasomes / blood*
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / blood
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / blood*
  • Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Mental Disorders / psychology
  • Middle Aged
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein / blood
  • Severity of Illness Index*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • IL1RN protein, human
  • Inflammasomes
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
  • NLRP3 protein, human
  • Caspase 1