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Elevated immune response in the brain of autistic patients
Xiaohong Li ,
Abha Chauhan ,
Ashfaq M. Sheikh ,
Sangita Patil ,
Ved Chauhan ,
Xiu-Min Li ,
Lina Ji ,
Ted Brown ,
Mazhar Malik
February 2009
February 2009
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Abstract
This study determined immune activities in the brain of ASD patients and matched normal
subjects by examining cytokines in the brain tissue. Our results showed that proinflammatory
cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6 and GM-CSF), Th1 cytokine (IFN-gamma) and chemokine (IL-8)
were significantly increased in the brains of ASD patients compared with the controls.
However the Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) showed no significant difference.
The Th1/Th2 ratio was also significantly increased in ASD patients.
ASD patients displayed an increased innate and adaptive immune response through the
Th1 pathway, suggesting that localized brain inflammation and autoimmune disorder
may be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD.