INCREASED PRODUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN-2 (IL-2) BUT NOT SOLUBLE INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTORS (SIL-2R) IN UNMEDICATED PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND SCHIZOPHRENIFORM DISORDER

This study investigated immune activation, as measured by production o f interleukin-2 (IL-2) and soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2R) fr om stimulated lymphocytes, in schizophrenia and schizophreniform disor der. The study included 13 neuroleptic-free patients, 13 medicated pat ients and 13 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Production of IL-2 and sIL-2R by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured after in vitro stimulation with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). Patients' symptoms were rated on the Scales for Assessment of Positive (SAPS) an d Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPR S). IL-2 production by stimulated lymphocytes was significantly elevat ed in neuroleptic-free patients compared with both medicated patients and control subjects. IL-2 production was inversely correlated with th e SAPS subscales of bizarre behaviour and formal thought disorder, The pattern of increased IL-2 production is in contrast to previous findi ngs in patients with schizophrenia. Significant associations with clin ical rating scores suggest that IL-2 production may vary in different biological subgroups of schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder. C opyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.