The mRNA expression levels of proinflammation cytokines,tyrosine hydroxylase in schizophrenics

Objective To explore the possible neuroimmunology mechanism in schizophrenia.Methods Thirty-nine patients with schizophrenia and their 25 siblings and 30 normal controls were recruited.The clinical symptom were evaluated by using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),and the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell were measured with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and semi-quantification technique.Results The mRNA expression levels of IL-β,TNF-α and TH were higher in schizophrenic and their siblings than normal controls(P0.01 or 0.05).The correlation between the score of general symptom of PANSS and the mRNA expression levels of IL-β(r=0.420),TNF-α(r=0.430)was significant(P0.01).The correlation between the mRNA expression levels of IL-β and TH was found in controls(r=0.666,P 0.01),but not in patients(P0.05),and the correlation between the mRNA expression levels of IL-β and TNF-α was significant in all groups(r=0.847 or 0.942,P0.01).Conclusion The mRNA expression levels of circulating TH,IL-β and TNF-α in schizophrenics are increased.Cytokine IL-β and TNF-α may synergistically affect the multiple equivocal symptoms in schizophrenia.Imbalance between the synthesis of catecholamines and cytokines could possibly contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.