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Circulating antibodies to neural and glial proteins in the serum of autistic individuals and their genetically related non-autistic siblings

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Date Issued:
2004
Summary:
Autoimmunity may play a role in the pathology of autism. Previous studies have made comparisons between autistic individuals and genetically unrelated control subjects. These studies have provided useful information to support the autoimmune hypothesis. It is important, however, to analyze possible autoimmune responses in autistic patients and their genetically related non-autistic siblings. These comparisons are needed because environmental and genetic variables may contribute to the development of autoimmune responses. Moreover, if circulating autoantibodies to neural and glial proteins do contribute to pathology in the brains of autistic individuals, it should be possible to demonstrate that these antibodies bind to neural or glial proteins in vitro. The present study was performed to answer the following questions: First, do circulating antibodies to brain/somatic proteins exist in the serum of siblings, one of whom has been diagnosed with autism? Second, do differences exist in autoimmune reactions to brain somatic proteins in autistic and non-autistic siblings? Third, do circulating antibodies in the serum of these autistic and non-autistic siblings recognize and bind to neural proteins in situ? PAGE-SDS electrophoresis with subsequent Western blot experiments were performed to evaluate the presence of immune reactions to brain and somatic proteins in autistic individuals, genetically-related non-autistic siblings, and normal individuals. Results demonstrate that immunoglobulins to neural and somatic proteins exist in the serum of autistic individuals, as well as genetically related non-autistic siblings and normal individuals. Antibody reactions to specific brain proteins were higher in the serum of autistic individuals, as compared to genetically related non-autistic siblings. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to determine whether or not immunoglobulins in serum react with specific structures, such as neurons or glial cells, in human brain tissue. These studies confirmed that all serum types react with axonal proteins in at least two regions of the brain---the granular frontal neocortex (Brodmann's area 10 {BA10}) and the hippocampus. No tissue reactivity was observed in the anterior cingulate gyrus (BA24). These results support previous studies that suggest the following. (1) All individuals have autoimmune reactions to brain proteins, but that autistic patients have higher levels of immunoreactivity. (2) Within genetically related siblings, the occurrence of autism is related to higher levels of immunoreactivity to specific brain proteins, and (3) Immune reactions to axonal proteins may contribute to the CNS pathology in autistic syndrome.
Title: Circulating antibodies to neural and glial proteins in the serum of autistic individuals and their genetically related non-autistic siblings.
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Name(s): Ross, Mary Alice
Florida Atlantic University, Degree Grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Psychology
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2004
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 152 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: Autoimmunity may play a role in the pathology of autism. Previous studies have made comparisons between autistic individuals and genetically unrelated control subjects. These studies have provided useful information to support the autoimmune hypothesis. It is important, however, to analyze possible autoimmune responses in autistic patients and their genetically related non-autistic siblings. These comparisons are needed because environmental and genetic variables may contribute to the development of autoimmune responses. Moreover, if circulating autoantibodies to neural and glial proteins do contribute to pathology in the brains of autistic individuals, it should be possible to demonstrate that these antibodies bind to neural or glial proteins in vitro. The present study was performed to answer the following questions: First, do circulating antibodies to brain/somatic proteins exist in the serum of siblings, one of whom has been diagnosed with autism? Second, do differences exist in autoimmune reactions to brain somatic proteins in autistic and non-autistic siblings? Third, do circulating antibodies in the serum of these autistic and non-autistic siblings recognize and bind to neural proteins in situ? PAGE-SDS electrophoresis with subsequent Western blot experiments were performed to evaluate the presence of immune reactions to brain and somatic proteins in autistic individuals, genetically-related non-autistic siblings, and normal individuals. Results demonstrate that immunoglobulins to neural and somatic proteins exist in the serum of autistic individuals, as well as genetically related non-autistic siblings and normal individuals. Antibody reactions to specific brain proteins were higher in the serum of autistic individuals, as compared to genetically related non-autistic siblings. Immunohistochemical studies were performed to determine whether or not immunoglobulins in serum react with specific structures, such as neurons or glial cells, in human brain tissue. These studies confirmed that all serum types react with axonal proteins in at least two regions of the brain---the granular frontal neocortex (Brodmann's area 10 {BA10}) and the hippocampus. No tissue reactivity was observed in the anterior cingulate gyrus (BA24). These results support previous studies that suggest the following. (1) All individuals have autoimmune reactions to brain proteins, but that autistic patients have higher levels of immunoreactivity. (2) Within genetically related siblings, the occurrence of autism is related to higher levels of immunoreactivity to specific brain proteins, and (3) Immune reactions to axonal proteins may contribute to the CNS pathology in autistic syndrome.
Identifier: 9780496083008 (isbn), 12109 (digitool), FADT12109 (IID), fau:9019 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Adviser: Phillip S. Lasiter.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2004.
Subject(s): Psychology, Psychobiology
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12109
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.