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. 2009 Feb 15;207(1-2):111-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.12.002. Epub 2009 Jan 20.

Elevated immune response in the brain of autistic patients

Xiaohong Li  1 , Abha Chauhan, Ashfaq M Sheikh, Sangita Patil, Ved Chauhan, Xiu-Min Li, Lina Ji, Ted Brown, Mazhar Malik
Affiliations

Elevated immune response in the brain of autistic patients

Xiaohong Li et al. J Neuroimmunol. .

Abstract

This study determined immune activities in the brain of ASD patients and matched normal subjects by examining cytokines in the brain tissue. Our results showed that proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6 and GM-CSF), Th1 cytokine (IFN-gamma) and chemokine (IL-8) were significantly increased in the brains of ASD patients compared with the controls. However the Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) showed no significant difference. The Th1/Th2 ratio was also significantly increased in ASD patients.

Conclusion: ASD patients displayed an increased innate and adaptive immune response through the Th1 pathway, suggesting that localized brain inflammation and autoimmune disorder may be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD.

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Figures

Figure 1A and 1B
Figure 1A and 1B. Pro-inflammatory cytokines profile in the brain cortex of ASD patients
Figure 2
Figure 2. Th-1 cytokines profile in the brain cortex of ASD patients
Figure 3
Figure 3. Th-2 type cytokines profile in the brain cortex of ASD patients
Figure 4
Figure 4. Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio increases in the brain of ASD patients
Figure 5
Figure 5. Chemokine profile in the brain cortex of ASD patients
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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