Immunomodulation in schizophrenia: A study among the Indian schizophrenia patients of Siliguri, West Bengal

Authors investigated the circumstantial evidence for autoimmunity in schizophrenia patients of Siliguri by considering the immune parameters like HLA Class I genes, IL-2 and IL6 and T cell subsets. Low resolution PCR-SSP method was applied for typing the HLA genes. Serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were measured by ELISA method. The CD4+ and CD8+ subset count were done using flow cytometry. A significant increase in HLA A*03 gene was observed in patients along with the significant decrease of HLA-A*31 and HLA-B*51. Both IL-2 and IL-6 were found to have decreased levels in the patients. Although the mean percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was higher in patients but not significantly higher than controls. These cumulative preliminary findings are suggestive of alterations in the immune system of schizophrenia patients of this region.