Higher T central and lower effector memory cells in bipolar disorder: A differentiation abnormality?

• Published in: Brain, behavior, & immunity. Health behavior, & immunity. Health, 2024-07, Vol.38, p.100764-100764, Article 100764
• Main Authors: Ioannou, Magdalini, Simon, Maria S., Borkent, Jenny, Wijkhuijs, Annemarie, Berghmans, Raf, Haarman, Bartholomeus C.M., Drexhage, Hemmo A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bipolar disorder; Cytomegalovirus; Full Length; Interleukin-7; Memory T cells; T helper-17; T-lymphocytes
• ISSN: 2666-3546; 2666-3546
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100764

The aim of this study was to elucidate the nature of T cell abnormalities in bipolar disorder (BD). With the use of multicolor flow cytometry, we first quantified the composition of the different memory and pro-inflammatory immune subpopulations in samples of 58 patients with BD and compared them to 113 healthy controls. Second, to assess if cytomegalovirus infection was related to the resulted immune subpopulation compositions in the two groups, we measured cytomegalovirus-specific antibodies in serum. Thirdly, we assessed differences between the two groups in the serum levels of the immune cell differentiation factor interleukin-7. Compared to healthy controls, patients showed significantly higher T helper-17, T regulatory and T central memory cells (CD4+ and CD8+). Besides, patients showed significantly lower CD4+ T effector memory and CD4+ T effector memory re-expressing RA cells. Cytomegalovirus infection was not related to the observed abnormalities, with the exception of T helper-17 cells. This immune subpopulation was significantly higher only in patients seropositive to cytomegalovirus infection. Finally, interleukin-7 levels were significantly lower in BD compared to healthy controls. In conclusion, the aberrant levels of T memory cell populations in BD may suggest a T cell differentiation abnormality. The role of interleukin-7 in this putative abnormality should be further investigated. •Abnormal apportioning between T central and effector memory cells in bipolar disorder.•Higher levels of T helper-17 and T regulatory cells in bipolar disorder.•T helper-17 abnormalities in patients are associated with cytomegalovirus infection.•T cell differentiation factor interleukin-7 is lower in bipolar disorder.•Bipolar disorder may intrinsically be linked to a T cell differentiation abnormality.