HLA-DRB1 alleles linked to autism spectrum disorder

[Guest guest]

This abstract relates to the news release I posted a few months ago. (see

below)

Hum Immunol 2002 Apr;63(4):311-6 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut

The transmission disequilibrium test suggests that HLA-DR4 and DR13 are

linked to autism spectrum disorder.

AR, Maciulis A, Stubbs EG, Cutler A, Odell D.

Center for Persons with Disabilities (A.R.T., A.M., D.O.), Utah State

University, Logan, UT, USA

We have evaluated possible contributions of HLA-DRB1 alleles to autism

spectrum disorder (ASD) in 103 families of Caucasian descent. The DR4 allele

occurred more often in probands than controls (0.007), whereas the DR13,14

alleles occurred less often in probands than controls (p = 0.003). The

transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) indicated that the ASD probands

inherited the DR4 allele more frequently than expected (p = 0.026) from the

fathers. The TDT also revealed that fewer DR13 alleles than expected were

inherited from the mother by ASD probands (p = 0.006). We conclude that the

TDT results suggest that DR4 and DR13 are linked to ASD. Reasons for the

parental inheritance of specific alleles are poorly understood but coincide

with current genetic research noting possible parent-of-origin effects in

autism.

PMID: 12039413 [PubMed - in process]

UTAH STATE NEWS RELEASES FOR 02-15-02

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS DISCOVER LINK TO AUTISM GENE

LOGAN -- Scientists at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah

State University have shown that certain genes involved with immune function

are linked to autism. The current study shows that one specific allele, or

part of a gene, is linked to autism through the father's chromosomes. The

establishment of this linkage to genes involved in immune function means

that the allele travels with the disease through families.

" This is an important step in the search for gene involvement in autism, "

said Dr. , head of the research project at USU. " Autism is a

major topic in research medicine because the incidence of the disease

appears to be increasing. "

Children with autism have differences in their immune systems as compared

with unaffected children. This may mean that autistic children respond

differently to viruses and bacteria or come from families with more

auto-immune diseases.

" This is important information and encourages us to look further, " said Dr.

Karin , a researcher at the National Institutes of Health involved

with the study. " There is still a long way to go in finding the cause of

autism, but it gives us a good direction. "

Studies to determine the immune aspects of autism were started in the 1980s

at USU. This current study will be published this summer in the journal

" Human Immunology. "

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