Antibodies to neuron-specific antigens in children with autism: possible cross-reaction with encephalitogenic proteins from milk, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Streptococcus group A.
We measured autoantibodies against nine different neuron-specific antigens and three cross-reactive peptides in the sera of autistic subjects and healthy controls by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing. The antigens were myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), ganglioside (GM1), sulfatide (SULF), chondroitin sulfate (CONSO4), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), alpha,beta-crystallin (alpha,beta-CRYS), neurofilament proteins (NAFP), tubulin and three cross-reactive peptides, Chlamydia pneumoniae (CPP), streptococcal M protein (STM6P) and milk butyrophilin (BTN). Autistic children showed the highest levels of IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against all neurologic antigens as well as the three cross-reactive peptides. These antibodies are specific because immune absorption demonstrated that only neuron-specific antigens or their cross-reactive epitopes could significantly reduce antibody levels. These antibodies may have been synthesized as a result of an alteration in the blood-brain barrier. This barrier promotes access of preexisting T-cells and central nervous system antigens to immunocompetent cells, which may start a vicious cycle. These results suggest a mechanism by which bacterial infections and milk antigens may modulate autoimmune responses in autism.
Vojdani
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A
Section of Neuroimmunology, Immunosciences Laboratory, Inc., 8693 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 200, Beverly Hills, CA 90211, USA. immunsci@ix.netcom.com
Campbell
A W
AW
Anyanwu
E
E
Kashanian
A
A
Bock
K
K
Vojdani
E
E
D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D000071797:Butyrophilins; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000276:immunology; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D016269:Milk Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein / Q000276:immunology; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D009474:Neurons / Q000276:immunology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000276:immunology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D000071797:Butyrophilins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; C571326:MOG protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018992:Myelin-Associated Glycoprotein; D063308:Myelin-Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein; D009498:Neurotoxins; C014689:streptococcal M protein