Th17/Treg cells imbalance and their related cytokines (IL-17, IL-10 and TGF-β) in children with autism spectrum disorder

J Neuroimmunol. 2019 Dec 15:337:577071. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577071. Epub 2019 Oct 23.

Abstract

We aimed in this study to investigate a possible involvement of Th17/Treg cells imbalance in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Using flowcytometry to determine circulating Th17 and Treg cells percentages, RT- PCR and ELISA for cytokine expression, we demonstrated that Th17/Treg balance in ASD children was significantly skewed toward a Th17 response compared to their control. Th17 cells and the ratio of Th17/Treg cells had a significantly positive correlation with disease severity whereas Treg cells had a negative correlation. The imbalance of Th17, Treg cells and their related cytokines may play a vital role in the progression of the disease.

Keywords: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD); Cytokines; Th17 lymphocytes; Treg lymphocytes.

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / blood*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnosis
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / immunology
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry / methods
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / blood*
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / blood*
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Male
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / blood*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Interleukin-17
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10