Unraveiling the correlation among neurodevelopmental and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with chronic schizophrenia

Author(s)

Nani, V, Joao ; Almeida, Priscila G. C. ^[1] ; Noto, Cristiano ^[2] ; Bressan, Rodrigo A. ^[2] ; Brietzke, Elisa ^[3] ; Hayashi, Mirian A. F. ^{[1, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Nani, Joao, V, Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Pharmacol, Escola Paulista Med EPM, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Psychiat, Escola Paulista Med EPM, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Queens Univ, Dept Psychiat, Sch Med, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 - Canada

^[4] Nani, Joao, V, Natl Inst Translat Med INCT TM, CNPq, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY; JAN 2022.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Introduction Nuclear distribution element like-1 (Ndel1) is a cytosolic oligopeptidase, which was suggested as a potential biomarker of aberrant neurodevelopment and early stage of schizophrenia (SCZ). The involvement of Ndel1 in neurite outgrowth, neuronal migration and neurodevelopment was demonstrated. Moreover, Ndel1 cleaves neuropeptides, including the endogenous antipsychotic peptide neurotensin, and lower Ndel1 activity was reported in SCZ patients compared with healthy controls (HCs). Changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory cytokines levels were also implicated in SCZ. Objective This preliminary study aimed to investigate the interactions between these immune and neurodevelopmental/neurotrophic biomarkers, namely BDNF and the recently identified SCZ biomarker Ndel1. Results We observed lower Ndel1 activity and IL-4 levels, and higher BDNF levels, in plasma of SCZ (N = 23) compared with HCs (N = 29). Interestingly, significant correlation between Ndel1 activity and IL-4 levels was observed in SCZ, while no correlation with any other evaluated interleukins (namely IL-2, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-17A) or BDNF levels was noticed. Conclusion Although this hypothesis needs to be further explored for a better understanding of the mechanisms by which these altered pathways are associated to each other in SCZ, we suggest that Ndel1 and the inflammatory marker IL-4 are directly correlated. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/09207-3 - Study of molecular and cellular mechanisms in mental disorders
• Grantee: João Victor Silva Nani
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/20014-0 - The gut-brain connection: role of the gut microbioma in the outcome and development of the sporadic Parkinson's disease
• Grantee: Matheus de Castro Fonseca
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/02413-1 - Validation of crotamine as a biomarker and evaluation of its potential use in the therapy of human diseases
• Grantee: Mirian Akemi Furuie Hayashi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/50891-1 - INCT 2014: Translational Medicine
• Grantee: Jaime Eduardo Cecilio Hallak
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants