2023-12-17 15:33:27
Focus on the complement system
The study, conducted by Professor John McGrath of the University of Queensland examines the correlates of circulating concentrations of C3 and C4 proteins in 68,768 newborns and the risk of mental disorders and autoimmune disorders later in life. Why these 2 proteins? Because they are complement components already linked to schizophrenia and autoimmune diseases, in other words these proteins are involved in the body’s defense against these conditions. “These complement components are proteins that work with your immune system to protect our bodies against infections and autoimmune diseases,” the researchers explain. The association study reveals that:
- the concentration of protein C4, an important protein in the immune system, is not associated with the risk of mental disorders;
- a higher concentration of C3 protein reduces the risk of schizophrenia in women;
- there are significant associations between C4 protein levels and the incidence of several autoimmune diseases: thus, a higher concentration of C4 is found to be associated with a lower risk of several autoimmune diseases and with a higher risk elevated other autoimmune diseases.
“More and more evidence links the C4 protein to brain development, so it seemed logical that C4 levels would have implications for the risk of mental disorders. However, we do not identify any association between C4 concentration and mental health disorders later in life. Finally, the mechanisms underlying the links between C4 and increased or decreased risk of autoimmune disease remain to be deciphered.”
This preliminary research suggests that neonatal tests may one day be able to reveal the baby’s vulnerabilities and thus make it possible to implement personalized prevention interventions.
“These complement components are proteins that work with your immune system, helping to protect your body against infections and autoimmune diseases.”
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