title: RELN-expressing neuron density in layer I of the superior temporal lobe is similar in human brains with autism and in age-matched controls.
abstract: Reelin protein (RELN) level is reduced in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of subjects with autism. RELN is synthesized and secreted by a subpopulation of neurons in the developing cerebral cortex termed Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells. These cells are abundant in the marginal zone during cortical development, many die after development is complete, but a small population persists into adulthood. In adult brains, RELN is secreted by the surviving CR cells, by a subset of GABAergic interneurons in layer I, and by pyramidal cells and GABAergic interneurons in deeper cortical layers. It is widely believed that decreased RELN in layer I of the cerebral cortex of subjects with autism may result from a decrease in the density of RELN expressing neurons in layer I; however, this hypothesis has not been tested. We examined RELN expression in layer I of the adult human cortex and found that 70% of cells express RELN in both control and autistic subjects. We quantified the density of neurons in layer I of the superior temporal cortex of subjects with autism and age-matched control subjects. Our data show that there is no change in the density of neurons in layer I of the cortex of subjects with autism, and therefore suggest that reduced RELN expression in the cerebral cortex of subjects with autism is not a consequence of decreased numbers of RELN-expressing neurons in layer I. Instead reduced RELN may result from abnormal RELN processing, or a decrease in the number of other RELN-expressing neuronal cell types.
authors: Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California, 2425 Stockton BLVD, Sacramento, CA 958172, United States.
authors: Jasmin
authors: J
authors: Camacho
authors: Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California, 2425 Stockton BLVD, Sacramento, CA 958172, United States.
authors: Ehsan
authors: E
authors: Ejaz
authors: Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California, 2425 Stockton BLVD, Sacramento, CA 958172, United States.
authors: Jeanelle
authors: J
authors: Ariza
authors: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, United States; MIND Institute, UC Davis, United States.
authors: Stephen C
authors: SC
authors: Noctor
authors: Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California, 2425 Stockton BLVD, Sacramento, CA 958172, United States; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, United States; MIND Institute, UC Davis, United States. Electronic address: vmartinezcerdeno@ucdavis.edu.
authors: Verónica
authors: V
authors: Martínez-Cerdeño
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002452:Cell Count; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D000091042:Reelin Protein; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015816:Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000091042:Reelin Protein; C000717127:RELN protein, human; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases
keywords: Autism; Cajal–Retzius cells; Layer I; Postmortem; Reelin; Superior temporal cortex