VACCINE

Journal Of Leukocyte Biology • July 2006
The immune response in autism:
a new frontier for autism research
Author information
Ashwood P1, Wills S, Van de Water J.
Medical Microbiology and Immunology and the M.I.N.D
Institute, University of California Davis
Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
pashwood@ucdavis.edu
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are part of a broad spectrum of neurodevelopmental
disorders known as pervasive developmental disorders, which
occur in childhood. They are characterized by impairments in social interaction,
verbal and nonverbal communication and the presence of restricted
and repetitive stereotyped behaviors. At the present time, the etiology of
ASD is largely unknown, but genetic, environmental, immunological, and
neurological factors are thought to play a role in the development of ASD.
Recently, increasing research has focused on the connections between the
immune system and the nervous system, including its possible role in the
development of ASD. These neuroimmune interactions begin early during
embryogenesis and persist throughout an individual’s lifetime, with
successful neurodevelopment contingent upon a normal balanced immune
response. Immune aberrations consistent with a dysregulated immune response,
which so far, have been reported in autistic children, include abnormal
or skewed T helper cell type 1 (T(H)1)/T(H)2 cytokine profiles,
decreased lymphocyte numbers, decreased T cell mitogen response, and
the imbalance of serum immunoglobulin levels. In addition, autism has
been linked with autoimmunity and an association with immune-based
genes including human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and complement
C4 alleles described. There is potential that such aberrant immune activity
during vulnerable and critical periods of neurodevelopment could participate
in the generation of neurological dysfunction characteristic of ASD.
This review will examine the status of the research linking the immune
response with ASD.
“There is potential that such
aberrant immune activity during
vulnerable and critical periods of
neurodevelopment could participate
in the generation of neurological
dysfunction characteristic of ASD.
This review will examine the status
of the research linking the immune
response with ASD.”
Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=16698940
Full Report: http://www.jleukbio.org/content/80/1/1.long