Re: Re: Autism + epilepsy + immune

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Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and autoantibodies to neural antigens in

sera of children with autistic spectrum disorders, Landau-Kleffner syndrome,

and epilepsy.

Connolly AM, Chez M, Streif EM, Keeling RM, Golumbek PT, Kwon JM, Riviello

JJ, RG, Neuman RJ, Deuel RM.

Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, Washington University School of

Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.

BACKGROUND: Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) elevation in newborn

sera predicts intellectual/social developmental abnormalities. Other

autoantibodies (AAs) to endothelial cells (ECs) and myelin basic protein

(MBP) are also elevated in some children. We tested relationships between

BDNF, BDNF AAs, and other AAs in children with these disorders. METHODS:

BDNF levels and IgG/IgM autoantibodies to BDNF, ECs, MBP, and histones were

measured in children with autism, childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD),

pervasive developmental delay-not otherwise specified (PDD-nos), acquired

epilepsy, Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS); healthy children (HC), and

children with non-neurological illnesses (NNI). RESULTS: Mean BDNF levels

were elevated in children with autism and CDD, (p < or = 0.0002) compared to

HC or NNI. Mean IgG and IgM BDNF AAs were elevated in children with autism,

CDD and epilepsy (p < or = 0.0005) compared to HC but not to NNI. Mean IgM

AA EC titers detected by immunocytochemistry were higher in autism, PDD-NOS,

epilepsy, and LKS (p < or = 0.005) compared to HC and NNI. While mean ELISA

IgG EC AAs were higher in autism and PPD-NOS (p < 0.005) compared to HC but

not NNI, ELISA IgM EC AAs were higher in children with autism, CDD, PDD-NOS,

and epilepsy compared to both HC and NNI (p < 0.0005). Mean anti-MBP IgG and

IgM titers were higher in all study groups (p < 0.005) except for LKS

compared to both HC and NNI.

CONCLUSION: Children with developmental disorders and epilepsy have higher

AAs to several neural antigens compared to controls. The presence of both

BDNF AAs and elevated BDNF levels in some children with autism and CDD

suggests a previously unrecognized interaction between the immune system and

BDNF.

PMID: 16181614 [PubMed - in process]