Peculiarities of the Composition of Peripheral Immune Cells and Cytokine Profile in Brain Structures in Mutant DISC1-L100P Mice

Abstract

Intact Disc1-L100P mice carrying a point mutation DISC1^Rgsc1390 in the second exon of the DISC1 gene (genetic model of schizophrenia) differ from the parental C57BL/6NCrl strain by higher content of CD3⁺ T cells and reduced number of CD19⁺B cells in the peripheral blood and spleen. Analysis of T cell subpopulations revealed an increase in the number of CD3⁺CD4⁺ T helpers in the blood of mutant mice and a decrease in the level of CD3⁺CD8⁺ suppressor/cytotoxic T cells and CD3⁺CD4⁺CD25⁺ T-regulatory cells. The distribution pattern of inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, IFNγ, and TNFα) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines specific for Disc1-L100P mice was revealed in the brain structures involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. A possible implication of immune mechanisms in the development of schizophrenia-like endophenotype of Disc1-L100P mice is discussed.