Expression of neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) is decreased in leukocytes of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2009 Mar 17;33(2):229-34. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2008.11.011. Epub 2008 Nov 30.

Abstract

Schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD) are severe illnesses representing an enormous social, familiar and individual burden that affect 1% of the population world-wide. Several evidences indicate abnormalities of the dopamine system in both SCZ and BPD. Neuronal calcium sensor-1 (NCS-1) is a protein that has many functions in neurotransmission such as inhibition of dopamine D(2) receptor desensitization, regulation of ionic channels and enhancement of exocytosis of neurotransmitters. In addition, NCS-1 protein expression and mRNA levels were found increased in pre-frontal cortex (PFC) of SCZ and BPD patients. NCS-1 expression in neural and neuroendocrine cells is well documented and, recently, it was shown that NCS-1 is also expressed in mast cells and neutrophils. NCS-1 has important functions in mast cells since it stimulates Fc epsilon RI-triggered exocytosis and the release of arachidonic acid metabolites. Then, due to the known close relation between the nervous and immune systems, we sought to investigate the NCS-1 expression in lymphocytes and monocytes (CD4+ T lymphocytes, CD56+ NK cells, CD19+ B lymphocytes and CD14+ monocytes) of SCZ and BPD patients. Using flow cytometry, our results have shown that NCS-1 expression was diminished in CD4+T lymphocytes, CD19+ B lymphocytes and CD14+ monocytes of BPD patients and also decreased in CD4+ T lymphocytes and CD56+ NK cells of SCZ patients. Results suggest that immune cells might be a cellular model for studies with SCZ and BPD patients considering NCS-1 functions. Efforts need to be done to investigate the motive of the decreased percentage of immune cells expressing NCS-1 in patients with SCZ and BPD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD19 / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Biomarkers
  • Bipolar Disorder / metabolism*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD56 Antigen / metabolism
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD19
  • Biomarkers
  • CD56 Antigen
  • Lipopolysaccharide Receptors
  • Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • frequenin calcium sensor proteins