UNLABELLED: To determine whether inflammation and apoptosis are involved in the pathogenesis of autism, we examined cytokines, Bcl2 expression and cathepsin D protease activity in the lymphoblasts of autistic subjects and age-matched controls. We found increased expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, but decreased Bcl2 expression in lymphoblasts of autistic subjects. We also found that cathepsin D mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in autistic lymphoblasts. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that inflammation and apoptosis may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of autism, and cathepsin D may participate in the regulation of cytokine-induced inflammation and apoptosis in autistic lymphoblasts. Published by Elsevier GmbH.
UNLABELLED: To determine whether inflammation and apoptosis are involved in the pathogenesis of autism, we examined cytokines, Bcl2 expression and cathepsin D protease activity in the lymphoblasts of autistic subjects and age-matched controls. We found increased expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, but decreased Bcl2 expression in lymphoblasts of autistic subjects. We also found that cathepsin D mRNA and protein expression were significantly increased in autistic lymphoblasts. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that inflammation and apoptosis may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of autism, and cathepsin D may participate in the regulation of cytokine-induced inflammation and apoptosis in autistic lymphoblasts. Published by Elsevier GmbH.
Authors: Benjamin J S Al-Haddad; Bo Jacobsson; Shilpi Chabra; Dominika Modzelewska; Erin M Olson; Raphael Bernier; Daniel A Enquobahrie; Henrik Hagberg; Svante Östling; Lakshmi Rajagopal; Kristina M Adams Waldorf; Verena Sengpiel Journal: JAMA Psychiatry Date: 2019-06-01 Impact factor: 21.596