An association between anti-hippocampal antibody concentration and lymphocyte production of IL-2 in patients with schizophrenia

Psychol Med. 1994 May;24(2):449-55. doi: 10.1017/s0033291700027410.

Abstract

Serum concentrations of anti-hippocampal antibodies and in vitro production of the lymphokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) in response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation were determined using an enzyme immunoassay in 49 schizophrenic patients and 41 healthy controls. Decrease in IL-2 production, a finding frequently associated with many autoimmune diseases, was associated with an elevation in anti-hippocampal antibody optical density (AHA-OD) in schizophrenic patients. Although some control subjects had elevated antibody levels, this elevation was not associated with decreased IL-2 production. Low IL-2 production is well known to be a state marker associated with active autoimmune disease. We suggest that production of hippocampal antibody is a trait marker of vulnerability to autoimmune diseases. Thus, our finding of low IL-2 production in patients with high concentrations of hippocampal antibody is compatible with the possibility that such patients have an ongoing autoimmune process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / psychology
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis
  • Schizophrenia / immunology*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Interleukin-2