Increase in Expression of Adhesion Molecule Receptors on T Helper Cells During Antipsychotic Treatment and Relationship to Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: The authors estimated the expression of adhesion molecule receptors (VLA-4 and LFA-1) on T helper (CD4+) and T suppressor cytotoxic (CD8+) lymphocytes in schizophrenic patients before and during antipsychotic treatment and studied the relationship of these subpopulations to CSF measures and blood-brain barrier permeability. METHOD: Blood was drawn from hospitalized patients with schizophrenia before (N=45) and after (N=22) neuroleptic treatment and from an age-matched comparison group (N=41). Lumbar punctures were performed on 32 of the schizophrenic patients. RESULTS: During antipsychotic treatment there were significant increases in the percentages of VLA-4+ CD4+ and VLA-4+ CD8+ cells. VLA-4+ CD4+ and LFA-1+ CD4+ cells were both closely related to disturbance of the blood-brain barrier. Higher values for VLA-4+ CD4+ and LFA-1+ CD4+ cells were found in patients with a disturbed blood-brain barrier. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that adhesion molecules are involved in immunoregulation between the central nervous system and the peripheral immune system in schizophrenia.