Predictive value of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 as biomarkers of affective temperaments in healthy young adults

Background: Affective temperaments are intermediate phenotypes for major affective disorders and are reported to have a neuroimmune etiopathogenesis. Here we investigated the role of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in affective temperaments and mood symptoms in healthy adults. Methods: Healthy adults (n=94) were screened for psychiatric disorders using the nonpatient version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-I and II. Subjects with medical conditions associated with changes in inflammatory response were excluded, deriving the final sample (n=68). Affective temperaments were evaluated with Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Auto questionnaire (TEMPS-A). State mood symptoms were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Serum 5ICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: After adjusting for confounders (age, gender, BMI, and smoking habits), a high negative correlation between depressive and irritable temperament TEMPS-A scores and sVCAM-1 levels was detected. Although we identified no association between sICAM-1 levels and affective temperament scores, sICAM1 was related to the state severity of manic symptoms. In a multiple linear regression model, sVCAM-1 remained a significant predictor of depressive but not irritable temperament scores. Limitations: The temperaments were estimated on the basis of self-report questionnaire. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that sVCAM-1 is related to affective temperaments, and it is a trait marker for liability to mood disorders. This relationship between alterations in cellular adhesion and affective temperament may be important for vulnerability to affective disorders. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.