INCREASED INTERLEUKIN-1 AND INTERLEUKIN-3 LIKE ACTIVITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS

1. The interleukins play an important role in the development and maintenance of the immune system. 2. Decreased cell mediated immunity measures were found in schizophrenic patients. 3. The purpose of the present study was to study the spontaneous production of interleukin-l (IL-1) and interleukin-3 like activity (IL-3-LA) by human mononuclear cells from schizophrenic patients in comparison to healthy individuals. 4. Interleukin-1 was increased significant by schizophrenic patients as compared to controls. 5. Interleukin-3 like activity was sligthly elevated in schizophrenic patients as compared to controls. 6. These findings support the hypothesis of an autoimmune dysfunction in some schizophrenic patients.