Aggressive behavior linked to corticotropin-reactive autoantibodies.
BACKGROUND
Altered stress response is characteristic for subjects with abnormal aggressive and antisocial behavior, but the underlying biological mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that autoantibodies (autoAbs) directed against several stress-related neurohormones may exist in aggressive subjects.


METHODS
Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we studied whether autoAbs directed against corticotropin (ACTH), alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), oxytocin, and vasopressin are present in serum of male subjects with conduct disorder and prisoners with history of violence. Healthy blood donors served as control subjects.


RESULTS
Both conduct disorder and prisoners groups displayed strongly increased levels of ACTH-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) autoAbs compared with control subjects. Levels of oxytocin-reactive IgM autoAbs were slightly increased in both groups of aggressive subjects, whereas levels of vasopressin-reactive IgG and IgM autoAbs were lower only in conduct disorder. No differences in the levels of alpha-MSH-reactive autoAbs were found between aggressive and control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of ACTH-reactive autoAbs as well as altered levels of oxytocin- and vasopressin-reactive autoAbs found in aggressive subjects may interfere with the neuroendocrine mechanisms of stress and motivated behavior. Our data suggest a new biological mechanism of human aggressive behavior that involves autoAbs directed against several stress-related neurohormones.
Fetissov
Sergueï O
SO
Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Serguei.Fetissov@univ-rouen.fr
Hallman
Jarmila
J
Nilsson
Ida
I
Lefvert
Ann-Kari
AK
Oreland
Lars
L
Hökfelt
Tomas
T
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000502:physiology*; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D011329:Prisoners; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D014754:Violence; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D014667:Vasopressins; D010121:Oxytocin; D000521:alpha-MSH; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone