Biological Psychiatry

DR-Positive T Cells in Autism: Association with Decreased Plasma Levels of the Complement C4B Protein
R.P. Warren, J. Yonk, R.W. Burger, D. Odell, W.L. Warren

Center for Persons with Disabilities and Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuropsychobiology 1995;31:53-57 (DOI: 10.1159/000119172)

  Key Words

• Autism
• Lymphocytes
• T cells
• Complement
• C4B protein

  Abstract

Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by severe communication, social and behavioral abnormalities. Over the past several years a fair amount of evidence has accumulated suggesting that some cases of autism may be associated with immune abnormalities and with products of the HLA complex including the C4B gene located in the class III region of HLA. This study sought additional evidence for an association of autoimmune processes with autism by investigating the presence of activated T cells in 26 autistic subjects. Fourteen of the autistic subjects had DR+ T cells, an indicator of activated T cells, but none of the autistic subjects had T cells expressing the interleukin-2 receptor, another indicator of T cell activation. Similar findings of incomplete or partial T cell activation have been reported in autoimmune disorders and in a recent study of autism. In the current investigation, the DR+ T cells were not found to be associated with age of the autistic patients but were inversely correlated with a decreased plasma level of the C4B protein. In conclusion, this study provides additional evidence for the involvement of an autoimmune mechanism in autism.

Copyright © 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Reed P. Warren, PhD, UMC 6895, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322 (USA)

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 5