Levels of soluble adhesion molecules in schizophrenia: relation to psychopathology

The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and the vascular adhesion m olecule-1 (VCAM-1) are involved in the penetration of lymphocytes through t he blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Since a BBB disturbance has been observed in some schizophrenic patients, but also a lack of the CNS/peripheral immune s ystem has been hypothesized to be involved in schizophrenia, we measured th e serum levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble VCAM-1 (sVCAM-1) in unmedicated schizophrenic patients and the relationship to psychopathology. The results show lower levels of sICAM-1 in schizophrenics, but no differe nce between schizophrenics and controls regarding the sVCAM-1 levels. Patie nts with more pronounced negative symptoms showed higher levels of sICAM-1 and lower levels of sVCAM-1. These results point out that the ICAM-1 relate d adhesion system is involved in schizophrenia, while the VCAM-1 system pla ys a minor role. The regulatory process of antigen recognition and cellular immune activation and/or the regulation of the BBB is impaired at least in a subgroup of schizophrenic patients.