Th1- and Th2-like cytokines in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in autism.
Th1-like (IL-2, IFN-gamma) and Th2-like (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10) cytokines were examined in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in children with autism. Intracellular cytokines were measured using specific antibodies to various cytokines and anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies by FACScan. Proportions of IFN-gamma+CD4+ T cells and IL-2+CD4+ T cells (Th1), and IFN-gamma+CD8+ and IL-2+CD8+ T cells (TC1) were significantly lower in autistic children as compared to healthy controls. In contrast, IL-4+CD4+ T cells (Th2) and IL-4+CD8+ T cells (TC2) were significantly increased in autism. The proportions of IL-6+ CD4+, IL-6+CD8+ and IL-10+CD4+, IL-10+CD8+ T cells were comparable in autism and control group. These data suggest that an imbalance of Th1- and Th2-like cytokines in autism may play a role in the pathogenesis of autism.
Gupta
S
S
Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine 92697-4075, USA. sgupta@uci.edu
Aggarwal
S
S
Rashanravan
B
B
Lee
T
T
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma