Neuroimmune and Acute Psychotic Disorders had an Overlapping Immune-Signature in Adolescents and Young Adults; A Case Series

Abstract

A misguided auto-reactive injury is responsible for diverse types of central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We suspect that, in some of these conditions, the adaptive immune system have a common cellular immune pathogenesis, driven predominantly by T cells, despite variability on the phenotypical clinical presentation. Aim: the main goal of this study is to characterize a portion of the adaptive immune response (AIR) on patients presenting with clinical symptoms compatible with monophasic acute neuroimmune disorders (NID) including Psychotic Disorders (PD). Methodology: flow cytometry with deep immunophenotyping of T effector (Teff) and T regulatory (Treg) cells was performed on peripheral blood obtained during the acute clinical phase and compared it to the one from an age-matched cohort group [Co). Results: our preliminary findings point toward the presence of common “immunosignature” in individuals affected by NID or PD.  We also found a shared dysregulation of immune related neurogenes in NID and PD that were not present in normal cohorts. Conclusions: this preliminary report gives some insights into the underlying shared pathobiology. If we can improve our capacity for early accurate diagnosis and meaningful disease monitoring of pathogenic T cell subsets, we will both expedite disease detection and may serve as a guide the administration of effective immunotherapeutic agents.