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A study of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B in childhood autism

Usha S Naik1, Charitha Gangadharan, Kanakalatha Abbagani

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, India.

Plos One
|May 17, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with autism show elevated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) DNA binding activity. This finding suggests that aberrant NF-κB pathways may contribute to the development of autism in some individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by developmental regression, with inflammation emerging as a key area of research.
  • Prenatal and infant stressors may trigger inflammatory responses, influencing gene expression relevant to ASD.
  • Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a critical transcription factor implicated in inflammatory pathways and potentially in ASD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of NF-κB in children diagnosed with autism.
  • To determine if NF-κB DNA binding activity is altered in children with ASD compared to neurotypical controls.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral blood samples were collected from 67 children with autism and 29 control subjects.
  • Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with phosphor imaging was employed to quantify NF-κB DNA binding activity.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to compare NF-κB levels between the case and control groups.

Main Results:

  • A statistically significant increase in NF-κB DNA binding activity was observed in children with autism.
  • The fold increase in NF-κB activity was markedly higher in children with autism (3.14) compared to controls (1.40), with p<0.02.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated NF-κB activity in children with autism provides biochemical evidence supporting its potential role in the disorder.
  • This suggests that autism may, in part, result from dysregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which responds to various stressors.
  • Understanding NF-κB's role offers valuable insights into the complex biochemical underpinnings of autism.
Abstract

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