Antibodies against the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and its protective ligand hexokinase-I in children with autism.
Autistic children show elevated serum levels of autoantibodies to several proteins essential for the function of normal brains. The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and hexokinase-I, a VDAC protective ligand, were identified as targets of this autoimmunity in autistic children. These autoantibodies were purified using immunoaffinity chromatographic techniques. Both antibodies induce apoptosis of cultured human neuroblastoma cells. Because VDAC and hexokinase-I are essential for brain protection from ischemic damage, the presence of these autoantibodies suggests a possible causal role in the neurologic pathogenesis of autism.
Gonzalez-Gronow
Mario
M
Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. gonza002@mc.duke.edu
Cuchacovich
Miguel
M
Francos
Rina
R
Cuchacovich
Stephanie
S
Fernandez
Maria del Pilar
Mdel P
Blanco
Angel
A
Bowers
Edith V
EV
Kaczowka
Steven
S
Pizzo
Salvatore V
SV
D000293:Adolescent; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000276:immunology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006593:Hexokinase / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008024:Ligands; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000276:immunology; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000276:immunology; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D008024:Ligands; D050994:Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels; C472074:HK1 protein, human; D006593:Hexokinase