Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impairment in social interactions, communication deficits, and restricted repetitive interests and behaviors. There is evidence of both immune dysregulation and autoimmune phenomena in autism. We examined the regulatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) because of its role in controlling immune responses. Plasma levels of active TGFβ1 were evaluated in 75 children with ASD compared with 68 controls. Children with ASD had significantly lower plasma TGFβ1 levels compared with typically developing controls (p = 0.0017) and compared with children with developmental disabilities other than ASD (p = 0.0037), after adjusting for age and gender. In addition, there were significant correlations between psychological measures and TGFβ1 levels, such that lower TGFβ1 levels were associated with lower adaptive behaviors and worse behavioral symptoms. The data suggest that immune responses in autism may be inappropriately regulated due to reductions in TGFβ1. Such immune dysregulation may predispose to the development of possible autoimmune responses and/or adverse neuroimmune interactions during critical windows in development.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 149-153 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Neuroimmunology |
| Volume | 204 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 15 2008 |
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Keywords
- Autism
- Behavior
- Immunity
- Regulation
- Transforming growth factor beta1
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Clinical Neurology
- Immunology and Allergy
- Neurology
Cite this
Decreased transforming growth factor beta1 in autism : A potential link between immune dysregulation and impairment in clinical behavioral outcomes. / Ashwood, Paul; Enstrom, Amanda; Krakowiak, Paula; Hertz-Picciotto, Irva; Hansen, Robin L; Croen, Lisa A.; Ozonoff, Sally J; Pessah, Isaac N; Van de Water, Judith A.
In: Journal of Neuroimmunology, Vol. 204, No. 1-2, 15.11.2008, p. 149-153.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Decreased transforming growth factor beta1 in autism
T2 - A potential link between immune dysregulation and impairment in clinical behavioral outcomes
AU - Ashwood, Paul
AU - Enstrom, Amanda
AU - Krakowiak, Paula
AU - Hertz-Picciotto, Irva
AU - Hansen, Robin L
AU - Croen, Lisa A.
AU - Ozonoff, Sally J
AU - Pessah, Isaac N
AU - Van de Water, Judith A
PY - 2008/11/15
Y1 - 2008/11/15
N2 - Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impairment in social interactions, communication deficits, and restricted repetitive interests and behaviors. There is evidence of both immune dysregulation and autoimmune phenomena in autism. We examined the regulatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) because of its role in controlling immune responses. Plasma levels of active TGFβ1 were evaluated in 75 children with ASD compared with 68 controls. Children with ASD had significantly lower plasma TGFβ1 levels compared with typically developing controls (p = 0.0017) and compared with children with developmental disabilities other than ASD (p = 0.0037), after adjusting for age and gender. In addition, there were significant correlations between psychological measures and TGFβ1 levels, such that lower TGFβ1 levels were associated with lower adaptive behaviors and worse behavioral symptoms. The data suggest that immune responses in autism may be inappropriately regulated due to reductions in TGFβ1. Such immune dysregulation may predispose to the development of possible autoimmune responses and/or adverse neuroimmune interactions during critical windows in development.
AB - Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impairment in social interactions, communication deficits, and restricted repetitive interests and behaviors. There is evidence of both immune dysregulation and autoimmune phenomena in autism. We examined the regulatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) because of its role in controlling immune responses. Plasma levels of active TGFβ1 were evaluated in 75 children with ASD compared with 68 controls. Children with ASD had significantly lower plasma TGFβ1 levels compared with typically developing controls (p = 0.0017) and compared with children with developmental disabilities other than ASD (p = 0.0037), after adjusting for age and gender. In addition, there were significant correlations between psychological measures and TGFβ1 levels, such that lower TGFβ1 levels were associated with lower adaptive behaviors and worse behavioral symptoms. The data suggest that immune responses in autism may be inappropriately regulated due to reductions in TGFβ1. Such immune dysregulation may predispose to the development of possible autoimmune responses and/or adverse neuroimmune interactions during critical windows in development.
KW - Autism
KW - Behavior
KW - Immunity
KW - Regulation
KW - Transforming growth factor beta1
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=54349091759&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.07.006
DO - 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.07.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 18762342
AN - SCOPUS:54349091759
VL - 204
SP - 149
EP - 153
JO - Journal of Neuroimmunology
JF - Journal of Neuroimmunology
SN - 0165-5728
IS - 1-2
ER -