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Aguilar OA, Qualls AE, Gonzalez-Hinojosa MDR, Obeidalla S, Kerchberger VE, Tsao T, Singer JP, Looney MR, Raymond W, Hays SR, Golden JA, Kukreja J, Shaver CM, Ware LB, Christie J, Diamond JM, Lanier LL, Greenland JR, Calabrese DR. MICB Genomic Variant Is Associated with NKG2D-mediated Acute Lung Injury and Death. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:70-82. [PMID: 37878820 PMCID: PMC10870895 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202303-0472oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Acute lung injury (ALI) carries a high risk of mortality but has no established pharmacologic therapy. We previously found that experimental ALI occurs through natural killer (NK) cell NKG2D receptor activation and that the cognate human ligand, MICB, was associated with ALI after transplantation. Objectives: To investigate the association of a common missense variant, MICBG406A, with ALI. Methods: We assessed MICBG406A genotypes within two multicenter observational study cohorts at risk for ALI: primary graft dysfunction (N = 619) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (N = 1,376). Variant protein functional effects were determined in cultured and ex vivo human samples. Measurements and Main Results: Recipients of MICBG406A-homozygous allografts had an 11.1% absolute risk reduction (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2-19.4%) for severe primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation and reduced risk for allograft failure (hazard ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.13-0.98). In participants with sepsis, we observed 39% reduced odds of moderately or severely impaired oxygenation among MICBG406A-homozygous individuals (95% CI, 0.43-0.86). BAL NK cells were less frequent and less mature in participants with MICBG406A. Expression of missense variant protein MICBD136N in cultured cells resulted in reduced surface MICB and reduced NKG2D ligation relative to wild-type MICB. Coculture of variant MICBD136N cells with NK cells resulted in less NKG2D activation and less susceptibility to NK cell killing relative to the wild-type cells. Conclusions: These data support a role for MICB signaling through the NKG2D receptor in mediating ALI, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar A. Aguilar
- Department Microbiology and Immunology
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jasleen Kukreja
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Lorraine B. Ware
- Department Medicine and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jason Christie
- Department Medicine and
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
| | | | - Lewis L. Lanier
- Department Microbiology and Immunology
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
| | - John R. Greenland
- Department Medicine
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | - Daniel R. Calabrese
- Department Medicine
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California
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Huang YC, Ping LY, Hsu SH, Tsai HY, Cheng MC. Indicators of HSV1 Infection, ECM-Receptor Interaction, and Chromatin Modulation in a Nuclear Family with Schizophrenia. J Pers Med 2023; 13:1392. [PMID: 37763159 PMCID: PMC10532901 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13091392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a complex psychiatric disorder with high heritability; identifying risk genes is essential for deciphering the disorder's pathogenesis and developing novel treatments. Using whole-exome sequencing, we screened for mutations within protein-coding sequences in a single family of patients with SCZ. In a pathway enrichment analysis, we found multiple transmitted variant genes associated with two KEGG pathways: herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) infection and the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction. When searching for rare variants, six variants, SLC6A19p.L541R, CYP2E1p.T376S, NAT10p.E811D, N4BP1p.L7V, CBX2p.S520C, and ZNF460p.K190E, segregated with SCZ. A bioinformatic analysis showed that three of these mutated genes were associated with chromatin modulation. We found that HSV1 infection, ECM-receptor interaction pathways, and epigenetic mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of SCZ in certain families. The identified polygenetic risk factors from the sample family provide distinctive underlying biological mechanisms of the pathophysiology of SCZ and may be useful in clinical practice and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Min-Chih Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, Yuli Branch, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Hualien 98142, Taiwan; (Y.-C.H.); (L.-Y.P.); (S.-H.H.); (H.-Y.T.)
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McGuigan BN, Santini T, Keshavan MS, Prasad KM. Gene Expressions Preferentially Influence Cortical Thickness of Human Connectome Project Atlas Parcellated Regions in First-Episode Antipsychotic-Naïve Psychoses. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN OPEN 2023; 4:sgad019. [PMID: 37621304 PMCID: PMC10445951 DOI: 10.1093/schizbullopen/sgad019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Altered gene expressions may mechanistically link genetic factors with brain morphometric alterations. Existing gene expression studies have examined selected morphometric features using low-resolution atlases in medicated schizophrenia. We examined the relationship of gene expression with cortical thickness (CT), surface area (SA), and gray matter volume (GMV) of first-episode antipsychotic-naïve psychosis patients (FEAP = 85) and 81 controls, hypothesizing that gene expressions often associated with psychosis will differentially associate with different morphometric features. We explored such associations among schizophrenia and non-schizophrenia subgroups within FEAP group compared to controls. We mapped 360 Human Connectome Project atlas-based parcellations on brain MRI on to the publicly available brain gene expression data from the Allen Brain Institute collection. Significantly correlated genes were investigated using ingenuity pathway analysis to elucidate molecular pathways. CT but not SA or GMV correlated with expression of 1137 out of 15 633 genes examined controlling for age, sex, and average CT. Among these ≈19%, ≈39%, and 8% of genes were unique to FEAP, schizophrenia, and non-schizophrenia, respectively. Variants of 10 among these 1137 correlated genes previously showed genome-wide-association with schizophrenia. Molecular pathways associated with CT were axonal guidance and sphingosine pathways (common to FEAP and controls), selected inflammation pathways (unique to FEAP), synaptic modulation (unique to schizophrenia), and telomere extension (common to NSZ and healthy controls). We demonstrate that different sets of genes and molecular pathways may preferentially influence CT in different diagnostic groups. Genes with altered expressions correlating with CT and associated pathways may be targets for pathophysiological investigations and novel treatment designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget N McGuigan
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tales Santini
- University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Matcheri S Keshavan
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Konasale M Prasad
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Prasad KM. Infectious agents as risk factors for psychosis - A time to reconsider and reinvigorate investigations. Schizophr Res 2021; 233:111-113. [PMID: 34325962 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Konasale M Prasad
- Department of Psychiatry and Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Swanson School of Engineering, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Prasad KM, Burgess AM, Keshavan MS, Nimgaonkar VL, Stanley JA. Neuropil pruning in Early-Course Schizophrenia: Immunological, Clinical, and Neurocognitive Correlates. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2016; 1:528-538. [PMID: 28255578 PMCID: PMC5328666 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2016.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuropathological studies suggest neuropil reduction in schizophrenia. Altered synaptic pruning is proposed to underlie neuropil reduction. Underlying factors and clinical correlates of synaptic pruning are poorly understood. Using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS), it is feasible to assess membrane phospholipid (MPL) metabolites in the brain that specifically and sensitively reflect neuropil expansion (elevated MPL precursors) or contraction (elevated MPL catabolites). METHODS We examined MPL metabolites and their cognitive, clinical and immunologic correlates among 28 early-course schizophrenia individuals (illness duration 1.99±1.33 years; antipsychotic-naïve=18) and 21 controls. We acquired whole-brain multi-voxel 31P MRS data from 12 unique brain regions. Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assayed in the serum. Generalized linear mixed models examined case-control differences in MPL metabolites in these regions correcting for multiple testing. Partial correlations accounting for multiple tests examined the relationship of Interleukin-6 and CRP levels with MPL metabolite levels. RESULTS MPL catabolite levels were increased in the thalamus in schizophrenia compared to controls. Interleukin-6 and CRP levels did not show case-control differences. Interleukin-6 levels positively correlated with MPL catabolite levels in the thalamus after correcting for multiple tests. The left thalamus MPL catabolite levels correlated negatively with sustained attention (corrected p=0.039). DISCUSSION Elevated MPL catabolites in the thalamus suggest increased neuropil contraction that may be related to excessive synaptic pruning. The thalamic neuropil contraction is associated with Interleukin-6 levels suggesting central pathogenic mechanisms for the inflammatory mediators. Correlation of increased thalamic MPL catabolite levels with cognitive impairments suggests clinical correlates of neuropil contraction.
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Ayhan Y, McFarland R, Pletnikov MV. Animal models of gene-environment interaction in schizophrenia: A dimensional perspective. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 136:1-27. [PMID: 26510407 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia has long been considered as a disorder with multifactorial origins. Recent discoveries have advanced our understanding of the genetic architecture of the disease. However, even with the increase of identified risk variants, heritability estimates suggest an important contribution of non-genetic factors. Various environmental risk factors have been proposed to play a role in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. These include season of birth, maternal infections, obstetric complications, adverse events at early childhood, and drug abuse. Despite the progress in identification of genetic and environmental risk factors, we still have a limited understanding of the mechanisms whereby gene-environment interactions (G × E) operate in schizophrenia and psychoses at large. In this review we provide a critical analysis of current animal models of G × E relevant to psychotic disorders and propose that dimensional perspective will advance our understanding of the complex mechanisms of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yavuz Ayhan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA; Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Turkey
| | - Ross McFarland
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - Mikhail V Pletnikov
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA; Solomon H Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA.
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Houenou J, d'Albis MA, Daban C, Hamdani N, Delavest M, Lepine JP, Vederine FE, Carde S, Lajnef M, Cabon C, Dickerson F, Yolken RH, Tamouza R, Poupon C, Leboyer M. Cytomegalovirus seropositivity and serointensity are associated with hippocampal volume and verbal memory in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 48:142-8. [PMID: 24083998 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Revised: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the herpesviridae family that has a limbic and temporal gray matter tropism. It is usually latent in humans but has been associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and cognitive deficits in some populations. Hippocampal decreased volume and dysfunction play a critical role in these cognitive deficits. We hypothesized that CMV seropositivity and serointensity would be associated with hippocampal volume and cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. METHODS 102 healthy controls, 118 patients with bipolar disorder and 69 patients with schizophrenia performed the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and had blood samples drawn to assess CMV IgG levels. A subgroup of 52 healthy controls, 31 patients with bipolar disorder and 27 patients with schizophrenia underwent T1 MRI for hippocampal volumetry. We analyzed the association between CMV serointensity and seropositivity with hippocampal volume. We also explored the correlation between CMV serointensity and seropositivity and CVLT scores. RESULTS In both patient groups but not in controls, higher CMV serointensity was significantly associated with smaller right hippocampal volume. Further, in the group of patients with schizophrenia but not bipolar disorder, CMV serointensity was negatively correlated with CVLT scores. CONCLUSION CMV IgG titers are associated with decreased hippocampal volume and poorer episodic verbal memory in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The mechanism of this association warrants further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Houenou
- INSERM, U955, Equipe 15 "Psychiatrie Génétique", Créteil F-94000, France; Fondation Fondamental, Créteil F-94010, France; AP-HP, Groupe Henri Mondor - Albert Chenevier, Pôle de Psychiatrie, Créteil, F-94000, France; Neurospin, CEA Saclay, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France.
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Smyth AM, Lawrie SM. The neuroimmunology of schizophrenia. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN COLLEGE OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2013; 11:107-17. [PMID: 24465246 PMCID: PMC3897758 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2013.11.3.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a polygenic, multi-factorial disorder and a definitive understanding of its pathophysiology has been lacking since it was first described more than a century ago. The predominant pharmacological approach used to treat SCZ is the use of dopamine receptor antagonists. The fact that many patients remain symptomatic, despite complying with medication regimens, emphasises the need for a more encompassing explanation for both the causes and treatment of SCZ. Recent neuroanatomical, neurobiological, environmental and genetic studies have revived the idea that inflammatory pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of SCZ. These new insights have emerged from multiple lines of evidence, including the levels of inflammatory proteins in the central nervous system of patients with SCZ and animal models. This review focuses on aberrant inflammatory mechanisms present both before and during the onset of the psychotic symptoms that characterise SCZ and discusses recent research into adjunctive immune system modulating therapies for its more effective treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annya M. Smyth
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen M. Lawrie
- Department of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Kiran Kumar HB, Castellani C, Maiti S, O'Reilly R, Singh SM. Search for missing schizophrenia genes will require a new developmental neurogenomic perspective. J Genet 2013; 92:335-40. [PMID: 23970094 DOI: 10.1007/s12041-013-0262-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Even the most powerful experimental designs in search of genetic causes of schizophrenia have not met the desired goal. It is imperative to review the reasons for such an outcome and to formulate novel strategies for the future direction of this research in the new era of individual genomes. Here, we will review aspects of neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia in the light of novel genomic and epigenomic insights. Specifically, we will argue for the involvement of de novo mutations and epigenetic modifications during neurodevelopment that may result in schizophrenia. Our conclusion is that the successful elucidation of hereditary mechanisms in neuropsychiatric disorders must begin with attention to discrete endophenotypes; consideration of ontogeny, forethought of genome structure including temporal and spatial patterns of (epi) mutations and the use of judicious techniques that go beyond association studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H B Kiran Kumar
- Molecular Genetics Unit, Department of Biology and Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7
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Debnath M, Cannon DM, Venkatasubramanian G. Variation in the major histocompatibility complex [MHC] gene family in schizophrenia: associations and functional implications. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 42:49-62. [PMID: 22813842 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2012] [Revised: 06/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder with a complex genetic contribution. Although multiple genetic, immunological and environmental factors are known to contribute to schizophrenia susceptibility, the underlying neurobiological mechanism(s) is yet to be established. The immune system dysfunction theory of schizophrenia is experiencing a period of renewal due to a growth in evidence implicating components of the immune system in brain function and human behavior. Current evidence indicates that certain immune molecules such as Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and cytokines, the key regulators of immunity and inflammation are directly involved in the neurobiological processes related to neurodevelopment, neuronal plasticity, learning, memory and behavior. However, the strongest support in favor of the immune hypothesis has recently emerged from on-going genome wide association studies advocating MHC region variants as major determinants of one's risk for developing schizophrenia. Further identification of the interacting partners and receptors of MHC molecules in the brain and their role in down-stream signaling pathways of neurotransmission have implicated these molecules as potential schizophrenia risk factors. More recently, combined brain imaging and genetic studies have revealed a relationship between genetic variations within the MHC region and neuromorphometric changes during schizophrenia. Furthermore, MHC molecules play a significant role in the immune-infective and neurodevelopmental pathogenetic pathways, currently hypothesized to contribute to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Herein, we review the immunological, genetic and expression studies assessing the role of the MHC in conferring risk for developing schizophrenia, we summarize and discuss the possible mechanisms involved, making note of the challenges to, and future directions of, immunogenetic research in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monojit Debnath
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore-560029, India.
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Nielsen PR, Laursen TM, Mortensen PB. Association between parental hospital-treated infection and the risk of schizophrenia in adolescence and early adulthood. Schizophr Bull 2013; 39:230-7. [PMID: 22021661 PMCID: PMC3523915 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbr149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that infection during perinatal life may lie at the etiological root of schizophrenia. It has thus been hypothesized that the origin of schizophrenia may lie either in direct fetal infection and/or in a generally increased familial susceptibility to infections, some of which may occur during pregnancy. We explored these 2 hypotheses by assessing maternal infection during pregnancy and maternal as well as paternal infection in general as predictors of schizophrenia in their offspring. We found a slightly increased risk to be associated with prenatal infection exposure. However, the effect of prenatal infection exposure was not statistically significantly different from the effect of infection exposure in general. Parental infection appeared to be associated with development of schizophrenia in adolescence and early adulthood. Our study does not exclude a specific effect of infection during fetal life; yet, it does suggest that schizophrenia is associated with an increased familial liability to develop severe infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip R. Nielsen
- To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: +45-8942-6807, fax: +45-8942-6813, e-mail:
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12
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Abstract
Schizophrenia (SZ) is a common disorder that runs in families. It has a relatively high heritability, i.e., inherited factors account for the major proportion of its etiology. The high heritability has motivated gene mapping studies that have improved in sophistication through the past two decades. Belying earlier expectations, it is now becoming increasingly clear that the cause of SZ does not reside in a single mutation, or even in a single gene. Rather, there are multiple DNA variants, not all of which have been identified. Additional risk may be conferred by interactions between individual DNA variants, as well as 'gene-environment' interactions. We review studies that have accounted for a fraction of the heritability. Their relevance to the practising clinician is discussed. We propose that continuing research in DNA variation, in conjunction with rapid ongoing advances in allied fields, will yield dividends from the perspective of diagnosis, treatment prediction through pharmacogenetics, and rational treatment through discoveries in pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Kukshal
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - B. K. Thelma
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi, India
| | - Vishwajit L. Nimgaonkar
- Departments of Psychiatry and Human Genetics, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Smita N. Deshpande
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
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Dickerson F, Stallings C, Origoni A, Vaughan C, Khushalani S, Yolken R. Additive effects of elevated C-reactive protein and exposure to Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 on cognitive impairment in individuals with schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2012; 134:83-8. [PMID: 22048011 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2011.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2011] [Revised: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated the effect of elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and exposure to Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) on the severity of cognitive impairment in individuals with schizophrenia. METHODS We measured the levels of CRP and of antibodies to HSV-1 in serum samples from 588 individuals with schizophrenia by enzyme immunoassay tests. Cognitive functioning was measured with the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and psychiatric symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The effects of HSV1 and CRP on cognitive functioning were analyzed with linear and logistic regression analyses adjusting for demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS The individuals with elevated CRP levels and HSV-1 seropositivity had lower RBANS cognitive scores. The strongest effect was found in individuals who had both serological evidence of HSV-1 exposure and elevated levels of CRP. These individuals had odds of 2.35 to have an RBANS Total score<=60 as compared to individuals who were HSV-1 seronegative and who did not have elevated levels of CRP (p=.002). The risks of decreased cognitive functioning associated with HSV-1 exposure and elevated levels of CRP were independent and additive. There was no effect of HSV-1 exposure and CRP levels on the severity of symptoms as measured by the PANSS (all p>.5). CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of CRP and exposure to HSV-1 are associated with the severity of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. These findings indicate that infection and inflammation may play a major role in the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Dickerson
- Stanley Research Program at Sheppard Pratt, Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 North Charles, St., Baltimore, MD 21204, USA.
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Carter CJ. Schizophrenia: a pathogenetic autoimmune disease caused by viruses and pathogens and dependent on genes. J Pathog 2011; 2011:128318. [PMID: 22567321 PMCID: PMC3335463 DOI: 10.4061/2011/128318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many genes have been implicated in schizophrenia as have viral prenatal or adult infections and toxoplasmosis or Lyme disease. Several autoantigens also target key pathology-related proteins. These factors are interrelated. Susceptibility genes encode for proteins homologous to those of the pathogens while the autoantigens are homologous to pathogens' proteins, suggesting that the risk-promoting effects of genes and risk factors are conditional upon each other, and dependent upon protein matching between pathogen and susceptibility gene products. Pathogens' proteins may act as dummy ligands, decoy receptors, or via interactome interference. Many such proteins are immunogenic suggesting that antibody mediated knockdown of multiple schizophrenia gene products could contribute to the disease, explaining the immune activation in the brain and lymphocytes in schizophrenia, and the preponderance of immune-related gene variants in the schizophrenia genome. Schizophrenia may thus be a “pathogenetic” autoimmune disorder, caused by pathogens, genes, and the immune system acting together, and perhaps preventable by pathogen elimination, or curable by the removal of culpable antibodies and antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Carter
- Polygenic Pathways, 20 Upper Maze Hill, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN38 OLG, UK
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