Research Information System
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, vol.25, no.3, pp.277-282, 2021 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective Although pathological mechanisms of schizophrenia are unknown, evidence in the literature suggests that the immune system might be involved in the pathogenesis. Complement is an important part of the immune system and it has been suggested to play role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. We aimed to investigate the potential involvement of the complement system in schizophrenia by the determination of peripheral concentrations of certain complement proteins and their regulators in patients. Methods Plasma concentrations of complement C3, C4, and C1 inhibitory protein were measured by chemiluminescence in 41 schizophrenia patients and 39 healthy controls. Expression of CD55, CD59, and CD46 proteins on peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined by flow cytometry in the same groups. Results Frequencies of peripheral immune cells expressing CD55 were determined to be significantly higher in schizophrenia patients than in healthy people (p = 0.020). Frequencies of peripheral immune cells expressing CD59 was determined to be significantly higher in healthy people than in schizophrenia patients (p = 0.012). The expression level of CD55 per cell was measured to be significantly elevated in patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.026). Conclusions Our data clearly demonstrate an elevated complement activity in schizophrenia and points to a possible complement association in the pathogenesis.