Expression of inflammatory cytokines, Bcl2 and cathepsin D are altered in lymphoblasts of autistic subjects.
To determine whether inflammation and apoptosis are involved in the pathogenesis of autism, we examined cytokines, Bcl2 expression and cathepsin D protease activity in the lymphoblasts of autistic subjects and age-matched controls. We found increased expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, but decreased Bcl2 expression in lymphoblasts of autistic subjects. We also found that cathepsin D mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in autistic lymphoblasts.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that inflammation and apoptosis may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of autism, and cathepsin D may participate in the regulation of cytokine-induced inflammation and apoptosis in autistic lymphoblasts.
Malik
Mazhar
M
Department of Neurochemistry, NY State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, New York, NY 10314, USA.
Sheikh
Ashfaq M
AM
Wen
Guang
G
Spivack
Warren
W
Brown
William T
WT
Li
Xiaohong
X
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000276:immunology*; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002402:Cathepsin D