Activation of the inflammatory response system in autism

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Neuropsychobiology 2002 Jan;45(1):1-6 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut

Activation of the inflammatory response system in autism.

Croonenberghs J, Bosmans E, Deboutte D, Kenis G, Maes M.

University Center of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Antwerp, Belgium.

Background/Aim: There is now some evidence that autism may be accompanied by

abnormalities in the inflammatory response system (IRS). Products of the

IRS, such as proinflammatory cytokines, may induce some of the behavioral

symptoms of autism, such as social withdrawal, resistance to novelty and

sleep disturbances. The main aim of the present study was to examine whether

autism is accompanied by an activation of the IRS. Methods: We measured the

production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, the IL-1 receptor antagonist

(IL-1RA), interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by

whole blood and the serum concentrations of IL-6, the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R)

and IL-1RA. Results: This study showed a significantly increased production

of IFN-gamma and IL-1RA and a trend toward a significantly increased

production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha by whole blood of autistic children. There

were no significant differences in the serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-2R

and IL-1RA between autistic and normal children. Conclusions: These results

suggest that autism may be accompanied by an activation of the monocytic

(increased IL-1RA) and Th-1-like (increased IFN-gamma) arm of the IRS. It is

hypothesized that increased production of proinflammatory cytokines could

play a role in the pathophysiology of autism. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG,

Basel

PMID: 11803234 [PubMed - in process]

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