DNA hyper-methylation associated with schizophrenia may lead to increased levels of autoantibodies

Abstract Background and Hypothesis Environmental stressors may influence immune surveillance in B lymphocytes stimulate autoimmune responses via epigenetic DNA methylation modifications schizophrenia (SCZ). Study Design A total of 2722 Chinese Han origin subjects were recruited this study (2005-2011), which including a discovery follow-up cohort with 40 remitters SCZ (RSCZ), non-remitters (NRSCZ), controls (CTL), replication (64 RSCZ, 16 NRSCZ, 84 CTL), as well case-control validation (1230 1208 CTL). Genomic methylation, target gene mRNA transcripts, plasma autoantibody levels measured across cohorts. Results We found extensive differences global profiles between RSCZ NRSCZ groups, wherein differential sites (DMS) enriched cell maturation activation the group. Out participants, foremost DMS cg14341177 was hyper-methylated group it inhibited alternative splicing its BICD2 have increased autoantigen exposure, leading to an increase anti-BICD2 IgG antibody levels. The decreased significantly endpoint samples but not samples. There are strong positive correlations IgG, PANSS scores groups. Conclusions These data suggest that abnormal could affect autoreactive SCZ, potentially serve useful biomarkers.