The authors examined the immune status at the cellular and humoral
levels of 16 untreated schizophrenic patients. No abnormality in the
distribution of T cell subsets (CD4+, CD8+) was detected. The proliferative
response to the T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin was normal. No increase
in the number of T cells showing activation markers, such as human
leukocyte antigens and interleukin-2 receptors, was noted. Conversely,
function studies revealed a clear deficiency in interleukin-2 production by
purified T cells. This lower production was probably intrinsic to the
patients' T cells, since interleukin-2 production showed normal sensitivity
to prostaglandin E2-mediated down- regulation by autologous monocytes.Abstract Teaser