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. 2014 Feb:40:159-69.
doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.11.014. Epub 2013 Nov 26.

Evidence for alterations in stimulatory G proteins and oxytocin levels in children with autism

Jill D Jacobson  1 , Kathryn A Ellerbeck  2 , Kelsie A Kelly  2 , Kandace K Fleming  3 , T Rene Jamison  2 , Charles W Coffey  2 , Catherine M Smith  2 , R Matthew Reese  2 , Scott A Sands  4
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Evidence for alterations in stimulatory G proteins and oxytocin levels in children with autism

Jill D Jacobson et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

The neurotransmitter oxytocin plays an important role in social affiliation. Low oxytocin levels and defects in the oxytocin receptor have been reported in childhood autism. However, little is known about oxytocin's post-receptor signaling pathways in autism. Oxytocin signals via stimulatory and inhibitory G proteins. c-fos mRNA expression has been used as a marker of OT signaling as well as of G protein signaling. Herein, we hypothesized that oxytocin and its signaling pathways would be altered in children with autism. We measured plasma oxytocin levels by ELISA, G-protein and c-fos mRNA by PCR, and G proteins by immunoblot in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in children with autism and in age-matched controls. Males with autism displayed elevated oxytocin levels compared to controls (p<0.05). Children with autism displayed significantly higher mRNA for stimulatory G proteins compared to controls (p<0.05). Oxytocin levels correlated strongly positively with c-fos mRNA levels, but only in control participants (p<0.01). Oxytocin, G-protein, and c-fos mRNA levels correlated inversely with measures of social and emotional behaviors, but only in control participants. These data suggest that children with autism may exhibit a dysregulation in oxytocin and/or its signaling pathways.

Keywords: ADI-R; ADOS; Autism; Autism in early childhood; G protein; Oxytocin; Signaling.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Study flow chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Vertical bar chart of plasma oxytocin levels in control participants and in participants with autism. Error bars show standard deviations. * Males with autism exhibited significantly higher oxytocin levels compared to control males (p=.022).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Vertical bar chart of c-fos RNA levels in control participants and participants with autism after overnight exposure to oxytocin. ** Significantly higher than controls. *Exposure to oxytocin leads to a reduction in c-fos mRNA at all concentrations compared to vehicle (n=15-20/group; p <.02).
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