anti MT IgG in Autistic Families

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http://www.smw.ch/docs/pdf200x/2008/05/smw-12014.PDF

Anti-Metallothionein IgG and levels of metallothionein in autistic families

Russo AJ.

Med Wkly 2008;138:70-77

Summary

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a family of small proteins containing 61-68

amino acids with an unusually high concentration of cysteine. MT-1, the

most functional and active MT in humans, has the ability to react with

and enhance the detoxification of a number of metals including zinc,

mercury, copper and cadmium. MT dysfunction may result, then, in many of

the aetiological syndromes observed in autistic children, such as the

leaky gut. It has been proposed that allergic autoimmune reactions

occurring after exposure to heavy metals, may contribute to some

symptoms associated with autism. Therefore abnormalities in MT

concentration and/or structure, as well as the presence of anti-MT

antibodies, may be associated with autism.

We used direct ELISAs to quantitate the concentration of serum

anti-metallothionein IgG in 66 individuals (parents and children) from

14 families with autistic children, as well as 11 controls from families

with no history of autism. We measured the concentration of serum

metallothionein in 39 of the above family members from 8 families. Our

results indicate that a significantly high number (23 of 66) of autistic

family members had high levels of anti-metallothionein IgG, when

compared to controls (1 ) and the production of these antibodies

correlated with levels of metallothionein, suggesting that the

production of these antibodies is inherited. However, the presence of

these antibodies does not correlate with autism, types of autism,

including regression, or demographics such as allergies, respiratory

problems or GI disease. This suggests that the presence of

anti-metallothioein antibodies is not causative to autism and may be the

result of other immunological pathology seen in many autistics.

Mount Saint 's University, Emmitsburg, USA