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2002 Progress Report: Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core
EPA Grant Number: R829388C002Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829388
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism
Center Director: Pessah, Isaac N.
Title: Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core
Investigators: VanDeWater, Judy , Gershwin, M. Eric , Korvatska, Elena
Current Investigators: VanDeWater, Judy , Ashwood, Paul
Institution: University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Saint, Chris
Project Period: September 30, 2001 through September 29, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 30, 2001 through September 29, 2002
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001)
Research Category: Health Effects , Children's Health
Description:
Objective:Profile serologic samples from autistic and matched control children collected from Research Projects I (Environmental Epidemiology), from Project II (Animal Models), and tissue culture experiments performed in Project III (Molecular/Cell Mechanisms).
- To define the blood levels of key neurotrophins and neuropeptides by ELISA or recycling immunoaffinity chromatography
- To ascertain what tissue-specific antibodies are found in sera of patients with autism using a variety of neuronal antigens by immunoblot. Using patient sera, also perform immunohistochemical analysis of brain tissue from autistic patients and controls. Similar studies will be performed during the generation of animal models in Project II.
- Using our brain tissue from autistic patients solicited through the M.I.N.D. Institute’s collaboration with the Autism Tissue Program of the National Alliance for Autism Research, screen for the presence of differentially expressed antigens as recognized by patient sera. Also of importance is the determination of existing in situ deposits of antibody in the brain of patients (when available).
- To develop a protein array derived from a brain cDNA library for screening with patient sera for any unknown antigens or receptors found bound by antibodies from patients with autism.
The Core has begun analysis of serologic samples from autistic and matched control children. During this period the focus has been on defining tissue-specific antibodies found in sera of patients with autism using a variety of neuronal antigens by immunoblot. Using patient sera, immunohistochemical analyses of brain tissue from autistic patients and controls have also been initiated. Currently pilot studies are underway using specimens obtained from the M.I.N.D. Institute tissue bank in preparation for CHARGE samples. Results obtained from a small number of patients suggest some autistic patients possess serum antibodies that exhibit a distinct antigen-staining pattern of neurons within cerebellum. Importantly, control sera did not react to the brain sections. These results suggest the presence of autoantibodies within serum of autistic children. However the small sample size to date precludes definitive conclusion. The nature of these antibodies and the identity of the target antigens remain to be elucidated.
Future Activities:Our future goals are to provide research support for each of the three Center research projects as we begin to obtain patient samples. In addition, we will use our extensive resources and background in immunology and autoimmune disease research to thoroughly examine the immune response of patients with autism to both self and foreign antigens.
Journal Articles:No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 5 publications for this subproject
Supplemental Keywords:Autism, antibodies, autoantibodies, immunohistochemical, antigens, thimerosal,
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Scientific Discipline, Health, RFA, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Risk Assessment, Biology, Risk Assessments, Disease & Cumulative Effects, genetic susceptability, Health Risk Assessment, Physical Processes, Chemistry, Children's Health, biomarkers, epidemiology, exposure assessment, xenobiotics, neurological development, autism, synergistic interactions, mechanisms, human health risk, susceptibility, halogenated aromatics, etiology, gene-environment interaction, neurotoxic, biological markers, children, neurobehavioral, pesticides, chemical exposure, exposure, biomarker, neurobehavioral effects, human exposure, neurodevelopmental, neurotoxicity
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
2003 Progress Report
2004 Progress Report
2005 Progress Report
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R829388 CECEHDPR - University of California at Davis Center for the Study of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829388C001 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Analytic Biomakers (xenobiotic) Core
R829388C002 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core
R829388C003 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular Biomakers Core
R829388C004 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)
R829388C005 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Animal Models of Autism
R829388C006 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Autism