Neuroinflammatory Markers in the Serum of Prepubertal Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Down Syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal disorder. Although DS individuals are mostly perceived as characterized by some distinct physical features, cognitive disabilities, and cardiac defects, they also show important dysregulations of immune functions. While critical information is available for adults with DS, little literature is available on the neuroinflammation in prepubertal DS children. We aimed to evaluate in prepubertal DS children the serum levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), oxidative stress as free oxygen radicals defense (FORD), free oxygen radicals test (FORT), and cytokines playing key roles in neuroinflammation and oxidative processes as TNF-α, TGF-β, MCP-1, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12. No differences were found in NGF between DS children and controls. However, BDNF was higher in DS subjects compared to controls. We also did not reveal changes in FORD and FORT. Quite interestingly, the serum of DS children disclosed a marked decrease in all analyzed cytokines with evident differences in serum cytokine presence between male and female DS children. In conclusion, the present study evidences in DS prepubertal children a disruption in the neurotrophins and immune system pathways.

Prenatal Screening of Trisomy 21: Could Oxidative Stress Markers Play a Role?

“…In our research, the concentration of amniotic fluid A1AT was significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group. The results suggest that a decrease in the A1AT concentration combined with aggravated inflammation processes and oxidative stress observed in T21 pregnancy may negatively impact plural comorbidities and the occurrence of fetal malformations [48][49][50]. A1AT deficiency combined with the decreased vitamin D levels observed in our study could have a multitude of effects of deregulated paths in T21 pregnancy development [44].…”

Evidence of Neuroinflammation and Immunotherapy Responsiveness in Individuals with Down Syndrome Regression Disorder

“…Although neurodiagnostic anomalies were observed, no speci c pattern emerged as predictive of the disease or response; yielding the need to interpret all studies as biomarkers of cerebral dysfunction as opposed to being diagnostic or con rmatory of DSRD. Although serum data was of limited value due to low n in this study, it is noteworthy that that elevations in IL-10 were observed as chromosome 21 encodes for the beta subunit of this interleukin and may provide a fast-forward mechanism of disease in DSRD given that levels of this interleukin have previously been identi ed as no different than neurotypical individuals 17 .…”

The Significance of Apolipoprotein E Measurement in the Screening of Fetal Down Syndrome

“…Despite DS being the most common chromosomal aberration occurring in all races, the pathological process, as well as the incorrect division of DNA material, are not yet fully understood [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. It has been demonstrated that pregnant women with a DS fetus suffer from lipid disorders related to disturbed cholesterol metabolism and lipid transport; incorrect distribution of VLDL, LDL, and lipid peroxidation [ 4 ]; and altered concentration of sphingolipids, which leads to improper myelination of fetal neurons [ 24 ].…”