Lymphocytes with Fas-receptors of readiness to apoptosis in non-psychotic mental disorders

Introduction Apoptosis is a complex physiological process of the organism which supports cellular homeostasis, provides important aspects of development and functioning of the immune system. In various pathological conditions the process of apoptosis can be impaired that leads to decrease or increase in pro-apoptotic activity. Materials and methods We conducted investigation of relative and absolute number of CD3 + CD95 + –lymphocytes in groups of patients with adjustment disorders ( n  = 90), PTSD ( n  = 100), organic emotionally labile (asthenic) disorder ( n  = 232), organic personality disorder ( n  = 93). Clinical verification was conducted according to ICD–10. Control group included 190 practically healthy persons. Fas protein (CD95) expression on CD3 lymphocytes surfaces was detected using flow cytometry. Cytometric measurements were conducted on flow cytofluorimeter FacsCalibur (Becton Dickinson, US). Results In the control group relative number of CD95 + –lymphocytes was 11.6%, absolute–0.21 × 10 9 /L. In all examined patients as compared with control the reliable increase both in relative and absolute number of lymphocytes of CD3 + CD95 + –phenotype was identified. So, in persons with adjustment disorder content of this indicator made 17.0% and 0.28 × 10 9 /L ( Р  = 0.0015), in PTSD–18.0% and 0.33 × 10 9 /L ( Р  = 0.0007) and in patients with organic asthenic disorder–19.0% and 0.32 × 10 9 /L ( Р  = 0.0048), respectively. The highest content in blood of CD3 + –lymphocytes, expressing on the surface of membrane the basic marker of apoptosis CD95 is observed in patients with organic personality disorder: 26.0% and 0.44 × 10 9 /L ( Р  = 0.0003). Conclusion In case of intensification of psychopathological symptoms especially in persons with non-psychotic organic mental disorders a receptor-mediated signaling pathway of apoptosis is activated – process of programmed cell death.