Abstract
Autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are heterogeneous complex neuro-developmental disorders characterized by dysfunctions
in social interaction and communication skills. Their pathogenesis has been linked to interactions between genes and environmental
factors. Consistent with the evidence of certain similarities between immune cells and neurons, autistic children also show
an altered immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this study, we investigated the activation of
caspases, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteases involved in apoptosis and several other cell functions in PBMCs from 15 ASD
children compared to age-matched normal healthy developing controls. The mRNA levels for caspase-1, -2, -4, -5 were significantly
increased in ASD children as compared to healthy subjects. Protein levels of Caspase-3, -7, -12 were also increased in ASD
patients. Our data are suggestive of a possible role of the capsase pathway in ASD clinical outcome and of the use of caspase
as potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic tools in ASD management.
in social interaction and communication skills. Their pathogenesis has been linked to interactions between genes and environmental
factors. Consistent with the evidence of certain similarities between immune cells and neurons, autistic children also show
an altered immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In this study, we investigated the activation of
caspases, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteases involved in apoptosis and several other cell functions in PBMCs from 15 ASD
children compared to age-matched normal healthy developing controls. The mRNA levels for caspase-1, -2, -4, -5 were significantly
increased in ASD children as compared to healthy subjects. Protein levels of Caspase-3, -7, -12 were also increased in ASD
patients. Our data are suggestive of a possible role of the capsase pathway in ASD clinical outcome and of the use of caspase
as potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic tools in ASD management.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1373-z
- Authors
- Dario Siniscalco, Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Anna Sapone, Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine “Magrassi-Lanzara”, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- Catia Giordano, Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Alessandra Cirillo, Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology “A. Cascino”, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- Vito de Novellis, Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Laura de Magistris, Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine “Magrassi-Lanzara”, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
- Francesco Rossi, Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Alessio Fasano, Center for Celiac Research and Mucosal Biology Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Sabatino Maione, Department of Experimental Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, Second University of Naples, via S. Maria di Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Naples, Italy
- Nicola Antonucci, Biomedical Centre for Autism Research and Treatment, Bari, Italy
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257