Immune Dysregulation & Inflammation

Immune dysfunction in autism: 

“Autism is a complex and clinically heterogeneous disorder with a spectrum of symptoms. Published findings have identified widespread changes in the immune systems of children with autism, at both systemic and cellular levels. Together, these reports suggest that autism may in fact be a systemic disorder with connections to abnormal immune responses. Such immune system dysfunction may represent novel targets for treatment.” (Careaga et al. Neurotherapeutics 2010) There are many reports of cytokine imbalances in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These imbalances could have a pathogenic role, or they may be markers of underlying genetic and environmental influences. Cytokines act primarily as mediators of immunological activity but they also have significant interactions with the nervous system. Cytokine profiles change dramatically in the face of infection, disease, and toxic exposures. Ashwood et al. (Brain Behav Immun. 2011) reported on significant increases in plasma levels of a number of cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12p40 in the ASD group compared with controls. Suzuki et al. (PLoS One 2011) reported that the plasma concentrations of IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-5, IL-8, IL-12(p70), IL-13, IL-17 and GRO-α were significantly higher in subjects with ASD compared with the corresponding values of matched controls. Okada et al. (Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2007) and Ashwood et al. (J Neuroimmunol. 2008 ) reported on decreased serum levels of transforming growth factor- beta1 (TGFb1) in patients with autism, with lower TGFb1 levels associated with lower adaptive behaviors and worse behavioral symptoms, suggesting that immune responses in autism may be inappropriately regulated due to reductions in TGFb1.