Low serum IgA and increased expression of CD23 on B lymphocytes in peripheral blood in children with regressive autism aged 3-6 years old

Abstract

IntroductionImmune system dysfunction is considered to be one of many medical disorders found in children with autism. The primary objective of the study was to assess if blood tests reflecting humoral immunity (IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE) are useful in identifying children with regressive autism. The secondary objective was to evaluate a part of the cellular arm of immunity (CD4/CD25 Tregs, CD4/CD23 cells) in those children.Material and methodsUsing a clinical case-control design, the systemic levels of immunoglobulins and lymphocyte subpopulations analysed by flow cytometry were compared in children aged 3-6 years old with a new diagnosis of regressive autism (n = 24; mean age: 4.25 ±1.70 years; male 23/24) and in sex- and age-matched healthy children (n = 24; aged 4.25 ±2.20 years; male 23/24).ResultsThe humoral immunity profile, described by three binary variables, IgA < 0.97 g/l, IgE > 36 IU/ml, and IgG > 6.3 g/l, with a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 83% (p < 0.0001), was able to identify children with autism. The highest risk of autism diagnosis was associated with IgA < 0.97g/l (OR – 23.0; p < 0.001). A higher number of CD19/CD23 was found in children diagnosed with autism than in the control group (36.82 ±6.72% vs. 18.20 ±3.95%; p < 0.02). No correlation between the number of CD23-positive cells and serum IgE levels was observed.ConclusionsA subtle shift of serum immunoglobulins consisting of low-normal IgA and B cell activation expressed by an increase of CD23-positive cells may characterize children with regressive autism aged 3-6 years old.

Does increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predict autism spectrum disorder?

“…Some of the studies have failed to show this correlation. 33,34 In the light of these findings we may speculate that the degree of immune activation differs among the autistic individuals which is consistent with the heterogeneous clinical manifestations of autism. Additionally in the lack of longitudinal studies, existing literature failed to reply the question of whether immune activation oscillates up or down in different immune pathways through the course of the ASD.…”

Immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation in autism spectrum disorder

“…Moreover, past reports showed that about 5% of ASD patients have IgA deficiency, and 30-40% have low serum IgA levels (Gupta et al 1996, Wasilewska et al 2012. ASD patients often display an enhanced sensitivity to gluten, with increased anti-gliadin antibodies compared to healthy individuals (Lau et al 2013).…”

Antibodies against Food Antigens in Patients with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

“…PBMCs obtained from ASD children produced more tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a)/interleukin-12 (IL-12) than those obtained from control subjects when challenged with casein, β -lactoglobulin, and α -lactalbumin [18]. Specific IgG to gluten was comparable among ASDs and controls [15]. A significant percentage of autistic sera were associated with elevated immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, or IgA antibodies against gliadin [21].…”