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Published on: April 22, 2015
Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder With Regression Exhibit a Different Profile in Plasma Cytokines and Adhesion
Antonio Gomez-Fernandez1, Maria J de la Torre-Aguilar1, Mercedes Gil-Campos2
1Department of Pediatrics, Reina Sofia University Hospital, University of Córdoba, Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain.
Insights
This study found higher nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specific differences in adhesion molecules and NGF were noted in subgroups of children with ASD, suggesting varied underlying mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Immunology
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pathogenesis may involve inflammation and altered adhesion molecules during neurodevelopment.
- Investigating plasma biomarkers could elucidate pathophysiological differences in ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate plasma levels of cytokines, adhesion molecules, and growth factors in pediatric ASD patients compared to controls.
- To explore differences in these markers between ASD subgroups with and without neurodevelopmental regression.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-four children with ASD (aged 2-6) and 54 controls were assessed using DSM-5 criteria, clinical interviews, and ADOS.
- Plasma levels of various molecules including NGF, NCAM, IL1β, IL6, and others were analyzed.
- ASD patients were sub-grouped into those with (AMR) and without (ANMR) neurodevelopmental regression.
Main Results:
- Elevated nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were observed in the overall ASD group compared to controls (p < 0.05).
- Children with ASD without neurodevelopmental regression (ANMR) showed lower plasma NCAM and higher NGF levels than controls.
- No distinct biomarker profile was identified for the entire ASD cohort versus controls.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest distinct pathophysiological mechanisms within ASD, particularly concerning synaptogenesis.
- Differences in adhesion molecules and neuronal growth factors in ASD subgroups (ANMR and AMR) warrant further investigation.
- The study highlights potential biomarker variations linked to neurodevelopmental regression in ASD.
Abstract:
Background: In the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it has been suggested that a proinflammatory condition, as well as an alteration in adhesion molecules in the early stages of neurodevelopment, may play a role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. This study set out to evaluate the plasma levels of certain inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules, and growth factors in a sample of pediatric patients with ASD and compare them to the levels in a control group of healthy children. Methods: Fifty-four children (45 males and nine females) aged 2-6, who were diagnosed with ASD, and a control group of 54 typically-developing children of similar ages were selected. The diagnosis of ASD was carried out in accordance with the DSM-5 criteria and the data obtained from a developmental semi-structured clinical interview and the ADOS evaluation test. Additional testing was carried out to identify the children's developmental level and severity of ASD symptomatology. Patients with ASD were further divided into two subgroups based on developmental parameters: ASD children with neurodevelopmental regression (AMR) and ASD children without neurodevelopmental regression (ANMR). Analyses of plasma molecules, such as cathepsin, IL1β, IL6, IL8, MPO, RANTES, MCP, BDNF, PAI NCAM, sICAM, sVCAM and NGF, were performed. Results: Higher levels of NGF were observed in the ASD group compared with the levels in the control group (p < 0.05). However, in the analysis of the ASD subgroups, lower plasma levels of NCAM and higher levels of NGF were found in the group of ASD children without developmental regression compared to the levels in the group of typically-developing children. Conclusions: These results suggest differences that could be related to different pathophysiological mechanisms in ASD. There is not a specific profile for the expression of relevant plasma cytokines, adhesion molecules or growth factors in children with ASD compared with that in typically-developing children. However, in the ANMR and AMR subgroups, some of the adhesion molecules and neuronal growth factors show differences that may be related to synaptogenesis.
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