B3997 - Investigating links between regulatory T cell depletion and mood and psychotic symptoms - 14/02/2022

B number: 
B3997
Principal applicant name: 
Evie Stergiakouli | MRC IEU
Co-applicants: 
Miss Freya Shepherd, Dr William Davies
Title of project: 
Investigating links between regulatory T cell depletion and mood and psychotic symptoms
Proposal summary: 

Immune dysregulation is thought to be involved in psychiatric disorders, including psychotic and mood disorders (1). Regulatory T cells (Tregs), an important component of the immune system, may have a role when investigating the causes of disorders such as anxiety, depression and psychosis. For example reduced number of Tregs have been found in individuals with disorders including schizophrenia, postpartum psychosis and major depression (2-4). However, the role of immune dysregulation in mood and psychotic symptoms in the general population has not been investigated. Through ALSPAC, we will investigate whether Treg sensitive genes are more common in individuals who have reported mood and psychotic symptoms, including post-partum depression. In combination with follow up experiments, this project will help us understand whether immune dysregulation is a risk factor for mood and psychotic symptoms.

Impact of research: 
This translational project will use genetic approaches to identify specific human behavioural and psychiatric phenotypes associated with known Treg-sensitive genes. As such, it will enhance our understanding of how Treg levels may impact upon psychiatric disorder risk, and inform future work in rodent models investigating the neurobiological/immunological basis of any observed associations. Polygenic scores may also feed into predictive models for psychiatric risk. It is the intention that this work may be published in peer-reviewed journals and at appropriate national and international conferences; it will be of interest to the psychiatric, genetics, neuroscience, and immunology scientific and medical communities.
Date proposal received: 
Wednesday, 9 February, 2022
Date proposal approved: 
Monday, 14 February, 2022
Keywords: 
Mental health - Psychology, Psychiatry, Cognition, Mental health, GWAS, Genetic epidemiology, Genetics