A Study of Autoantibodies Against some Central Nervous System Antigens and the IL-35 Serum Level in Schizophrenia

Marziyeh Soltani; Pezhman Beshkar; Kobra Mokhtarian; Maryam Anjomshoa; Mina Mohammad Rezaei; Fatemeh  Azadegan-Dehkordi; Yousef Mirzaei; Jafar Majidi; Nader Bagheri

doi:10.18502/ijaai.v21i4.10291

Marziyeh Soltani Student Research Committee, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Pezhman Beshkar Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord, University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Kobra Mokhtarian Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Maryam Anjomshoa Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Mina Mohammad Rezaei Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Fatemeh Azadegan-Dehkordi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord, University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Yousef Mirzaei Scientific Research Center, Soran University, Soran, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Jafar Majidi Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord, University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
Nader Bagheri Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v21i4.10291

Keywords: Autoantibodies; Interleukin 35 microglia; Neurogenic inflammation; Schizophrenia

Abstract

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a debilitating mental disorder with various causes involving complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental agents. The immune system plays a vital role in the pathology and function of the nervous system. Interleukin 35 (IL-35) is a regulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine that can prevent autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of autoantibodies against some central nervous system (CNS) antigens and IL-35 serum levels in patients with Schizophrenia.

This case-control study involved 80 participants. The serum levels of IL-35 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the autoantibodies in the CNS by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA).

The serum levels of IL-35 were decreased in patient groups compared to healthy subjects. Autoantibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) were positive in 15% (6/40) and 7.5% (3/40), respectively; however, no antibodies against myelin, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), We found that decreased serum IL-35 levels and the existence autoantibodies against NMDAR antigen may contribute to the pathogenesis of SCZ.