Serological association of measles virus and human herpesvirus-6 with brain autoantibodies in autism.
Considering an autoimmunity and autism connection, brain autoantibodies to myelin basic protein (anti-MBP) and neuron-axon filament protein (anti-NAFP) have been found in autistic children. In this current study, we examined associations between virus serology and autoantibody by simultaneous analysis of measles virus antibody (measles-IgG), human herpesvirus-6 antibody (HHV-6-IgG), anti-MBP, and anti-NAFP. We found that measles-IgG and HHV-6-IgG titers were moderately higher in autistic children but they did not significantly differ from normal controls. Moreover, we found that a vast majority of virus serology-positive autistic sera was also positive for brain autoantibody: (i) 90% of measles-IgG-positive autistic sera was also positive for anti-MBP; (ii) 73% of measles-IgG-positive autistic sera was also positive for anti-NAFP; (iii) 84% of HHV-6-IgG-positive autistic sera was also positive for anti-MBP; and (iv) 72% of HHV-6-IgG-positive autistic sera was also positive for anti-NAFP. This study is the first to report an association between virus serology and brain autoantibody in autism; it supports the hypothesis that a virus-induced autoimmune response may play a causal role in autism.
College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109-1065, USA.
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Yang
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008459:Measles virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001323:Autoantibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins