scholarly journals Critical Role of the Maternal Immune System in the Pathogenesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 557
Author(s):  
Davide Ravaccia ◽  
Taravat Ghafourian
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Maternal Immune Activation ◽  
Maternal Immune System ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by impairments in communication, social interaction, and the presence of restrictive and repetitive behaviours. Over the past decade, most of the research in ASD has focused on the contribution of genetics, with the identification of a variety of different genes and mutations. However, the vast heterogeneity in clinical presentations associated with this disorder suggests that environmental factors may be involved, acting as a “second hit” in already genetically susceptible individuals. To this regard, emerging evidence points towards a role for maternal immune system dysfunctions. This literature review considered evidence from epidemiological studies and aimed to discuss the pathological relevance of the maternal immune system in ASD by looking at the proposed mechanisms by which it alters the prenatal environment. In particular, this review focuses on the effects of maternal immune activation (MIA) by looking at foetal brain-reactive antibodies, cytokines and the microbiome. Despite the arguments presented here that strongly implicate MIA in the pathophysiology of ASD, further research is needed to fully understand the precise mechanisms by which they alter brain structure and behaviour. Overall, this review has not only shown the importance of the maternal immune system as a risk factor for ASD, but more importantly, has highlighted new promising pathways to target for the discovery of novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of such a life-changing disorder.

scholarly journals Maternal Immunity in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Questions of Causality, Validity, and Specificity

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 2590
Author(s):  
Antonio Ji-Xu ◽  
Angela Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Maternal Immune Activation ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex neurodevelopmental disorders with unknown heterogeneous aetiologies. Epidemiological studies have found an association between maternal infection and development of ASD in the offspring, and clinical findings reveal a state of immune dysregulation in the pre- and postnatal period of affected subjects. Maternal immune activation (MIA) has been proposed to mediate this association by altering fetal neurodevelopment and leading to autism. Although animal models have supported a causal link between MIA and development of ASD, their validity needs to be explored. Moreover, considering that only a small proportion of affected offspring develop autism, and that MIA has been implicated in related diseases such as schizophrenia, a key unsolved question is how disease specificity and phenotypic outcome are determined. Here, we have integrated preclinical and clinical evidence, including the use of animal models for establishing causality, to explore the role of maternal infections in ASD. A proposed priming/multi-hit model may offer insights into the clinical heterogeneity of ASD, its convergence with related disorders, and therapeutic strategies.

Critical role of dysfunctional mitochondria and defective mitophagy in autism spectrum disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 168 ◽  
pp. 138-145
Author(s):  
Yuan-Mei Wang ◽  
Ming-Yue Qiu ◽  
Qing Liu ◽  
Huang Tang ◽  
Hong-Feng Gu
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

scholarly journals A critical role of brain network architecture in a continuum model of autism spectrum disorders spanning from healthy individuals with genetic liability to individuals with ASD

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Budhachandra Khundrakpam ◽  
Neha Bhutani ◽  
Uku Vainik ◽  
Noor B Al-Sharif ◽  
Alain Dagher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Network Architecture ◽  
Continuum Model ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Brain Network ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Polygenic Risk ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Studies have shown cortical alterations in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as well as in individuals with high polygenic risk for ASD. An important addition to the study of altered cortical anatomy is the investigation of the underlying brain network architecture that may reveal brain-wide mechanisms in ASD and in polygenic risk for ASD. Such an approach has been proven useful in other psychiatric disorders by revealing that brain network architecture shapes (to an extent) the disorder-related cortical alterations. This study uses data from a clinical dataset: 560 male subjects (266 individuals with ASD and 294 healthy individuals, CTL, mean age at 17.2 years) from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange database, and data of 391 healthy individuals (207 males, mean age at 12.1 years) from the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition and Genetics database. ASD-related cortical alterations (group difference, ASD-CTL, in cortical thickness) and cortical correlates of polygenic risk for ASD were assessed, and then statistically compared with structural connectome-based network measures (such as hubs) using spin permutation tests. Next, we investigated whether polygenic risk for ASD could be predicted by network architecture by building machine-learning based prediction models, and whether the top predictors of the model were identified as disease epicenters of ASD. We observed that ASD-related cortical alterations as well as cortical correlates of polygenic risk for ASD implicated cortical hubs more strongly than non-hub regions. We also observed that age progression of ASD-related cortical alterations and cortical correlates of polygenic risk for ASD implicated cortical hubs more strongly than non-hub regions. Further investigation revealed that structural connectomes predicted polygenic risk for ASD (r=0.30, p<0.0001), and two brain regions (the left inferior parietal and left suparmarginal) with top predictive connections were identified as disease epicenters of ASD. Our study highlights a critical role of network architecture in a continuum model of ASD spanning from healthy individuals with genetic risk to individuals with ASD. Our study also highlights the strength of investigating polygenic risk scores in addition to multi-modal neuroimaging measures to better understand the interplay between genetic risk and brain alterations associated with ASD.

The Role of the SLP in Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Assessment

2008 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Philofsky
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Children With Asd ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Notable Increase ◽  
Screening Assessment ◽  
Critical Components

AbstractRecent prevalence estimates for autism have been alarming as a function of the notable increase. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in screening, assessment and intervention for children with autism. This article reviews signs that may be indicative of autism at different stages of language development, and discusses the importance of several psychometric properties—sensitivity and specificity—in utilizing screening measures for children with autism. Critical components of assessment for children with autism are reviewed. This article concludes with examples of intervention targets for children with ASD at various levels of language development.

Microbiota, Immune System and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Integrative Model towards Novel Treatment Options

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (31) ◽  
pp. 5119-5136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Carpita ◽  
Donatella Marazziti ◽  
Lionella Palego ◽  
Gino Giannaccini ◽  
Laura Betti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Integrative Model ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Intermediate Phenotypes ◽  
Close Relatives

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition strongly associated with genetic predisposition and familial aggregation. Among ASD patients, different levels of symptoms severity are detectable, while the presence of intermediate autism phenotypes in close relatives of ASD probands is also known in literature. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to environmental factors that might play a role in modulating the relationship between genomic risk and development and severity of ASD. Within this framework, an increasing body of evidence has stressed a possible role of both gut microbiota and inflammation in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopment. The aim of this paper is to review findings about the link between microbiota dysbiosis, inflammation and ASD. Methods: Articles ranging from 1990 to 2018 were identified on PUBMED and Google Scholar databases, with keyword combinations as: microbiota, immune system, inflammation, ASD, autism, broad autism phenotype, adult. Results: Recent evidence suggests that microbiota alterations, immune system and neurodevelopment may be deeply intertwined, shaping each other during early life. However, results from both animal models and human samples are still heterogeneous, while few studies focused on adult patients and ASD intermediate phenotypes. Conclusion: A better understanding of these pathways, within an integrative framework between central and peripheral systems, might not only shed more light on neural basis of ASD symptoms, clarifying brain pathophysiology, but it may also allow to develop new therapeutic strategies for these disorders, still poorly responsive to available treatments.

scholarly journals Neonatal Immune System Ontogeny: The Role of Maternal Microbiota and Associated Factors. How Might the Non-Human Primate Model Enlighten the Path?

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 584
Author(s):  
Natalia Nunez ◽  
Louis Réot ◽  
Elisabeth Menu
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
Microbial Colonization ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Neonatal Immune System ◽  
Gastrointestinal Colonization ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Human Primate

Interactions between the immune system and the microbiome play a crucial role on the human health. These interactions start in the prenatal period and are critical for the maturation of the immune system in newborns and infants. Several factors influence the composition of the infant’s microbiota and subsequently the development of the immune system. They include maternal infection, antibiotic treatment, environmental exposure, mode of delivery, breastfeeding, and food introduction. In this review, we focus on the ontogeny of the immune system and its association to microbial colonization from conception to food diversification. In this context, we give an overview of the mother–fetus interactions during pregnancy, the impact of the time of birth and the mode of delivery, the neonate gastrointestinal colonization and the role of breastfeeding, weaning, and food diversification. We further review the impact of the vaccination on the infant’s microbiota and the reciprocal case. Finally, we discuss several potential therapeutic interventions that might help to improve the newborn and infant’s health and their responses to vaccination. Throughout the review, we underline the main scientific questions that are left to be answered and how the non-human primate model could help enlighten the path.

scholarly journals B Cells and Antibodies as Targets of Therapeutic Intervention in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Jan Traub ◽  
Leila Husseini ◽  
Martin S. Weber
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Neuromyelitis Optica ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Major Subset ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

The first description of neuromyelitis optica by Eugène Devic and Fernand Gault dates back to the 19th century, but only the discovery of aquaporin-4 autoantibodies in a major subset of affected patients in 2004 led to a fundamentally revised disease concept: Neuromyelits optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are now considered autoantibody-mediated autoimmune diseases, bringing the pivotal pathogenetic role of B cells and plasma cells into focus. Not long ago, there was no approved medication for this deleterious disease and off-label therapies were the only treatment options for affected patients. Within the last years, there has been a tremendous development of novel therapies with diverse treatment strategies: immunosuppression, B cell depletion, complement factor antagonism and interleukin-6 receptor blockage were shown to be effective and promising therapeutic interventions. This has led to the long-expected official approval of eculizumab in 2019 and inebilizumab in 2020. In this article, we review current pathogenetic concepts in NMOSD with a focus on the role of B cells and autoantibodies as major contributors to the propagation of these diseases. Lastly, by highlighting promising experimental and future treatment options, we aim to round up the current state of knowledge on the therapeutic arsenal in NMOSD.

scholarly journals Mutation analysis of the NRXN1 gene in autism spectrum disorders

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Onay ◽  
D Kacamak ◽  
AN Kavasoglu ◽  
B Akgun ◽  
M Yalcinli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Syndromic Autism ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Strong Candidate ◽  
Reduced Penetrance

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify the sequence mutations in the Neurexin 1 (NRXN1) gene that has been considered as one of the strong candidate genes. A total of 30 children and adolescents (aged 3-18) with non syndromic autism were enrolled this study. Sequencing of the coding exons and the exon-intron boundaries of the NRXN1 gene was performed. Two known mutations were described in two different cases. Heterozygous S14L was determined in one patient and heterozygous L748I was determined in another patient. The S14L and L748I mutations have been described in the patients with autism before. Both of these mutations were inherited from their father. In this study, two of 30 (6.7%) autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients carrying NRXN1 gene mutations were detected. It indicates that variants in the NRXN1 gene might confer a risk of developing nonsyndromic ASD. However, due to the reduced penetrance in the gene, the causal role of the NRXN1 gene mutations must be evaluated carefully in all cases.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document