title: Cannabinoid receptor type 2, but not type 1, is up-regulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of children affected by autistic disorders.
abstract: Autistic disorders (ADs) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders arised by the interaction of genes and environmental factors. Dysfunctions in social interaction and communication skills, repetitive and stereotypic verbal and non-verbal behaviours are common features of ADs. There are no defined mechanisms of pathogenesis, rendering curative therapy very difficult. Indeed, the treatments for autism presently available can be divided into behavioural, nutritional and medical approaches, although no defined standard approach exists. Autistic children display immune system dysregulation and show an altered immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this study, we investigated the involvement of cannabinoid system in PBMCs from autistic children compared to age-matched normal healthy developing controls (age ranging 3-9 years; mean age: 6.06 ± 1.52 vs. 6.14 ± 1.39 in autistic children and healthy subjects, respectively). The mRNA level for cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) was significantly increased in AD-PBMCs as compared to healthy subjects (mean ± SE of arbitrary units: 0.34 ± 0.03 vs. 0.23 ± 0.02 in autistic children and healthy subjects, respectively), whereas CB1 and fatty acid amide hydrolase mRNA levels were unchanged. mRNA levels of N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D gene were slightly decreased. Protein levels of CB-2 were also significantly increased in autistic children (mean ± SE of arbitrary units: 33.5 ± 1.32 vs. 6.70 ± 1.25 in autistic children and healthy subjects, respectively). Our data indicate CB2 receptor as potential therapeutic target for the pharmacological management of the autism care.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, 16, 80138, Naples, Italy, dariosin@uab.edu.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Siniscalco
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sapone
authors.forename: Catia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Magistris
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fasano
authors.forename: James Jeffrey
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bradstreet
authors.forename: Sabatino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maione
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Antonucci
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: C571130:CNR1 protein, human; C588309:CNR2 protein, human; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; D043885:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2