Serum Antibody Biomarkers for ASD.

摘要

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in communication (verbal and nonverbal), social interactions, and stereotyped behaviors/interests. The etiology of ASD is not well understood, though it likely involves both genetic and environmental factors. Immune system dysfunction has been reported in ASD in many studies. Systemic immunologic alterations in autistic individuals often have been associated with autoimmunity; in particular, the generation of antibodies reactive against brain and CNS proteins. The goal of this grant is to identify serum antibody biomarkers for ASD using a novel combinatorial peptoid library that has been successful for the identification of antibody biomarkers for Alzheimer s disease. An ASD blood biomarker would be very useful for early identification and targeted therapeutic intervention. During Year-2 of the grant we have: (1) collected serum samples from additional male typically developing (TD) and ASD subjects; (2) screened libraries for peptoids using pooled serum samples from male ASD, and male TD controls; (3) Identified the sequence of the useful male ASD peptoids identified in Years 1 and 2; and (4) Tested the optimal peptoid for sensitivity and specificity using 51 ASD boys and 43 TD boys. In addition, we have identified two new proteins that are linked to ASD.