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Functional Implications of the IL-23/IL-17 Immune Axis in Schizophrenia

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Abstract

The aetiology of schizophrenia seems to stem from complex interactions amongst environmental, genetic, metabolic, immunologic and oxidative components. Chronic low-grade inflammation has been persistently linked to schizophrenia, and this has primarily been based on the findings derived from Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. While the IL-23/IL-17 axis plays crucial role in the pathogenesis of several immune-mediated disorders, it has remained relatively unexplored in neuropsychiatric disorders. Altered levels of cytokines related to IL-23/IL-17 axis have been observed in schizophrenia patients in a few studies. In addition, other indirect factors known to confer schizophrenia risk like complement activation and altered gut microbiota are shown to modulate the IL-23/IL-17 axis. These preliminary observations provide crucial clues about the functional implications of IL-23/IL-17 axis in schizophrenia. In this review, an attempt has been made to highlight the biology of IL-23/IL-17 axis and its relevance to schizophrenia risk and pathogenesis. Given the pathogenic potential of the IL-23/IL-17 axis, therapeutic targeting of this axis may be a promising approach to benefit patients suffering from this devastating disorder.

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Acknowledgements

MB is supported by an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship 1059660.

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Both authors drafted, read and approved the final manuscript.

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  1. Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hosur Road, Bangalore, 560029, India

    Monojit Debnath

  2. School of Medicine, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia

    Michael Berk

  3. Department of Psychiatry, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia

    Michael Berk

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Correspondence to Monojit Debnath.

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Debnath, M., Berk, M. Functional Implications of the IL-23/IL-17 Immune Axis in Schizophrenia. Mol Neurobiol 54, 8170–8178 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-016-0309-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-016-0309-1

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