Original Paper

Abnormal Measles-Mumps-Rubella Antibodies and CNS Autoimmunity in Children with Autism
Vijendra K. Singh, Sheren X. Lin, Elizabeth Newell, Courtney Nelson

Department of Biology and Biotechnology Center, Utah State University, Logan, Utah, USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Journal of Biomedical Science 2002;9:359-364 (DOI: 10.1159/000065007)

  Key Words

• Autoantibodies
• Autism
• Autoimmunity
• Measles virus
• Measles-mumps-rubella antibodies
• Vaccines

  Abstract

Autoimmunity to the central nervous system (CNS), especially to myelin basic protein (MBP), may play a causal role in autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder. Because many autistic children harbor elevated levels of measles antibodies, we conducted a serological study of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and MBP autoantibodies. Using serum samples of 125 autistic children and 92 control children, antibodies were assayed by ELISA or immunoblotting methods. ELISA analysis showed a significant increase in the level of MMR antibodies in autistic children. Immunoblotting analysis revealed the presence of an unusual MMR antibody in 75 of 125 (60%) autistic sera but not in control sera. This antibody specifically detected a protein of 73–75 kD of MMR. This protein band, as analyzed with monoclonal antibodies, was immunopositive for measles hemagglutinin (HA) protein but not for measles nucleoprotein and rubella or mumps viral proteins. Thus the MMR antibody in autistic sera detected measles HA protein, which is unique to the measles subunit of the vaccine. Furthermore, over 90% of MMR antibody-positive autistic sera were also positive for MBP autoantibodies, suggesting a strong association between MMR and CNS autoimmunity in autism. Stemming from this evidence, we suggest that an inappropriate antibody response to MMR, specifically the measles component thereof, might be related to pathogenesis of autism.

Copyright © 2002 National Science Council, ROC and S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Vijendra Singh, PhD
Biotechnology Center
Utah State University
4700 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322 (USA)
Tel. +1 435 797 7193, Fax +1 435 797 2766, E-Mail singhvk@cc.usu.edu

  Article Information

Received: Received: November 7, 2001
Accepted: December 19, 2001
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 24