Peripheral lymphocyte subsets and other immune aspects in Rett syndrome

A possible role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of some neurologic disorders, including infantile autism, was recently postulated. This observation prompted the authors to investigate some immunologic aspects in a group of patients with Rett syndrome, a disorder still not completely clarified but with some points of commonality with infantile autism. Humoral and cell-mediated immunity were investigated in 20 females with Rett syndrome. Peripheral lymphocyte subsets revealed a reduced percentage of CD8+ suppressor-cytotoxic cells in all of the patients with Rett syndrome, resulting in an increased CD4+/CD8+ ratio. In addition, 15 (75%) of the 20 patients had low levels of natural killer cells. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor was elevated in the youngest patients. Antineuronal and antimyelin ganglioside antibodies were absent, as were antinuclear antibodies, antistriated muscle antibodies, and antismooth muscle antibodies. Immunoglobulin fractions and complement were normal for age in all of the patients.