Autism and the Immune System

Jane M. El-Dahr, M.D., FAAP, FAAAAIDepartment of Pediatrics

Allergy/Immunology/RheumatologyTulane University School of Medicine

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Autism Around the World Conference – May 2010

The Invaders . . .

Bacteria

Viruses

Parasites fungi worms

worm trichura.jpg

http://www.hhs.gov/asphep/presentation/images/bacteria.jpg

http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/biology/plant_bio/lab13.FUNGI.html

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AN IMMUNE RESPONSEForeign invaders - viruses, bacteria, allergens, toxins and parasites - constantly bombard our body.

The response to this assault is a carefully orchestrated and controlled interaction between immune cells with the ultimate goal to eliminate the invaders in both pathogen-specific and non-specific mechanisms.

The Department of Defense

The immune system is the body’s defense system, guarding against foreign invaders.

Just as we have an army, air force, police, jails, etc. to keep us “safe”, the immune system has different branches which do different things but coordinate to protect our body.

Survival

The “goal” of the immune system is to keep you alive to reproduce.

There is a race between each of us and the organisms around us – we want to eliminate foreign organisms (pathogens) without damaging ourselves while the microbes try to hang around as long as possible and reproduce themselves.

Isn’t having a child with autism hard enough already…

Why do I have to worry about what is going on with the immune system (or worse still, learn biochemistry!) ???

How is that going to help me???

Traditional view of Autism

Autism is a group of behaviors caused by some defective gene or genes which cause structural changes in the brain. We can’t fix brain abnormalities that you are born with, so other than behavioral therapies, there isn’t anything that will improve the child’s level of functioning.

Biomedical view

Children with autism have metabolic problems (genetic? nutritional?) that can be diagnosed and treated.

Fixing broken biochemical pathways also improves the immune system and helps to heal the gut.

By paying attention to the medical (as opposed to psychiatric or mental) issues of the children, we can significantly improve their quality of life and level of functioning.

Children with autism have biochemical/metabolic pathways that are inefficient or blocked; “fixing” their biochemistry is like clearing the snow for these taxis

Metabolic “Gridlock”

This presentation

Overview of immunity

What we know about immunity in autism: Blood Gut Brain

Therapies

Immune and Nervous systems Sample the “outside” world Have a memory Communicate with chemical messages Interact with each other

The “Ideal” Immune System

Recognize all foreign organisms. Bacteria, viruses, parasites (fungi,worms)

Efficiently and rapidly destroy invaders.

Prevent a second infection with the same microbe (have a memory).

Never cause damage to self.

Innate (non-specific)

Acquired (specific)

1st lineof defense

Innate Immunity:Phagocytes (Macrophages) and

Natural Killer cells

Capture and kill germs –Jailor or Executioner

Adaptive Immunity:B cells produce

Immunoglobulins (Antibodies)

Antibodies

Antibodies

Antibodies are divided up into classes IgA: Mucosal surfaces - if low, predisposes to

respiratory and GI infections as well as autoimmunity; often low in ASD children

IgM: Rapid response bloodstream antibody made at the beginning of an infection; can be high or low in ASD

IgG: Slower but longer lasting bloodstream antibody; can be high or low in ASD

IgE: Allergy; can be high or normal in ASD

Immunoglobulins

Adaptive Immunity:T cells give orders to other cells

TH1 TH2

Adaptive Immunity:Regulatory T cells

keep things in balance

T regs tell B cells to stop making antibodies when the infection is over

T regs tell other T cells to stop “directing” and killingwhen the infection is over

All cell types work together in a healthy immune system !

Cytokines – the Language of the Immune System

Chemical messages that are the main communication system between cells of the immune system (and other systems – especially the nervous system).

Cytokines – the Language of the Immune System

Can be divided several ways: Th1 (adaptive/memory, cell mediated): IL-2, IFN-γ Th2 (adaptive/memory, antibodies):IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-10,TGF-β Innate: TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-12 Pro-inflammatory: TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6 Anti-inflammatory: TGF-β, IL-10 Regulatory: IL-10, IL-12,TGF-β

Multiple roles makes this confusing!!!!Can do different things in different contexts.

Coordinated“Attack” withFeedback Loops using Cytokines

BALANCE !!!

Things that can go wrong… Immune deficiency/dysfunction: defective or

ineffective response. Hypersensitivity: Over-reaction to innocuous

foreign material, out of proportion to potential damage - Allergy.

Autoimmunity: Inappropriate reaction towards self, loss of self-recognition.

Inflammation: Too vigorous attack against invaders with “bystander” damage to normal tissue.

Inflammation Acute Inflammation

Early response to injury/infection, lasts days Swelling, redness, heat, pain at site Beneficial, leads to elimination of infection and tissue

healing – trying to repair damage Innate cells and mediators

Chronic Inflammation Late or sustained response to intracellular pathogens

or self antigens (autoimmunity) Harmful, results in tissue destruction Adaptive and innate cells and mediators Often LOCAL at specific sites

TNF

Allergy

AutoimmunityDeficiency

Inflammation

Th2 Innate and/orTh1 Th2

Th1 and/or Th2 Th1 and/or Th2

Immunopathology in ASD Dysregulation of immunity in autistic

children leads to all four problems:

Deficiency / dysfunction

Hypersensitivity / allergy

Autoimmunity

Inflammation

Immune Abnormalities in Autism

Abnormal immune systems have been found in about 20-70% of patients with autism in a wide variety of studies, depending on which part of the immune system is examined.

Studies are generally small with not-well-characterized children or are limited to a single subgroup so it is hard to draw firm conclusions…

BUT few studies have demonstrated no abnormalities.

Dysregulation and Inflammation!

Nearly every study finds that some children have poor T regulatory function so that immune responses do not turn “off” normally, staying “activated” or turned on and resulting in inflammation.

Cytokines are often “pro-inflammatory”

Dysregulated immune system with inflammation in children with ASD

Jyonouchi H, et al. Impact of innate immunity in a subset of children with autism spectrum disorders: a case control study Journal of Neuroinflammation 2008, 5:52 http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/5/1/52

Ashwood, P., Wakefield, A.J.,2006. Immune activation of peripheral blood and mucosal CD3+ lymphocyte cytokine profiles in children with autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. J. Neuroimmunol. 173, 126–134.

Croonenberghs, J., Bosmans, E., Deboutte, D., Kenis, G., Maes, M., 2002. Activation of the inflammatory response system in autism. Neuropsychobiology 45, 1–6.

Zimmerman, A., Jyonouchi, H., Comi, A., Connors, S., Milstien, S., Varsou, A., Heyes, M., 2005. Cerebrospinal fluid and serum markers of inflammation in autism. Pediatr.Neurol. 35, 195-201.

Blood (serum) findings in ASD

Many studies find that ASD children have low-normal immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) and/or low T cell numbers and/or low-normal functioning and/or low and poorly functional Natural Killer cells ; a subset of children have true immunodeficiency.

Some children have low serum IgA, predisposing them to respiratory and GI infections.

Total IgG

Autism ASD Typical Delayed0

5

10

15

20

25

N=105 N=24 N=96 N=32

Diagnosis

Total IgM

Autism ASD Typical Delayed0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

N=116 N=27 N=92 N=29

Diagnosis

Total IgA

Autism ASD Typical Delayed-0.25

0.00

0.25

0.50

0.75

1.00

1.25

1.50

1.75

N=116 N=27 N=92 N=29

Diagnosis

Total IgE

Autism ASD Typical Delayed

-500

0

500

1000

1500

2000

N=116 N=27 N=92 N=29

Diagnosis

A. B.

C.D.

Reduced levels of IgG and IgM are indicative of an underlying defect in the immune system of children with autism.

M.I.N.D.Institute

Low IgG Low IgM

Low Normal IgA

Huge variation

in IgE

10 Warning Signs of an Immune Deficiency www.jmfworld.com

Recurrent Infections if IgG, IgM, or IgA are low

Allergy

Blood (serum) findings in ASD Some children have allergy (atopy) with

high levels of IgE. Traditional IgE allergies can be measured either

by blood testing (RAST) or by skin prick testing. It is well documented that in neuro-typical

children, untreated allergies cause poor memory and concentration as well as poor sleep.

Blood (serum) findings in ASD

Bottom line #1: A child on the autism spectrum with recurrent infections deserves an immune evaluation for immunodeficiency.

Bottom line #2: A child on the autism spectrum with eczema, chronic nasal symptoms, asthma, significant GI symptoms, or recurrent respiratory infections deserves an allergy evaluation for IgE inhalant and food allergies.

Autoimmunity (Reaction to “self”)

There is a tendency towards a positive family history of autoimmunity in families – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Thyroiditis - with an ASD child, and a genetic tendency towards autoimmune disorders as well.

Many, many types of autoantibodies (against “self” tissues) have been found in ASD children but the significance of the many types of anti-brain antibodies is not clear.

GI Tract - Mucosal findings

Gut inflammation in some children

Abnormal lymphocyte profiles: lots of

T cells present where none should be.

Abnormal cytokine profiles: pro-inflammatory with lots of TNF-α and too little regulatory IL-10.

Measles virus demonstrable by PCR and other methods.

Hypotheses of Etiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

1. Abnormal (dysregulated) immune system, normal gut microbes

2.Normal immune system, abnormal microbes +/- abnormal barrier

We conclude that IBD is characterized by an abnormal mucosal immune response but that microbial factors and epithelial cell abnormalities can facilitate this response.

Strober W, The fundamental basis of inflammatory bowel disease J. Clin. Invest. 117:514-521 (2007)

Immune Reactions to Food – Jyonouchi 2005

(Neuropsychobiol and J. Peds) Immune cells from autistic children with GI

symptoms showed strong pro-inflammatory response and a reduced ability to switch off the immune response compared to normal children.

Immune reactivity to milk and wheat common with or without GI symptoms. Soy and corn next most common.

Still no test or good predictors (although a few children did have IgE antibodies which can be measured) - elimination and challenge best.

Yeast (Candida albicans) overgrowth also found in the stools of some children (J. Peds May 2005).

Jyonouchi H. Food allergy and ASD: is there a link? Cur Allergy Asthma Reports (2009) 9(3):194-201

ASD pts with non-IgE mediated food Allergy to milk had low TGF beta(T reg cytokine)levels which increasedon a casein free diet.

Outgrowing milk allergy developing T regs

Brain: Vargas 2005 We demonstrate an active neuroinflammatory process in

the cerebral cortex, white matter, and notably in cerebellum of autistic patients with marked microglial activation.

Our findings indicate that innate neuroimmune reactions play a pathogenic role in an undefined proportion of autistic patients, suggesting that future therapies might involve modifying neuroglial responses in the brain.

Vargas DL, Nascimbene C, Krishnan C, Zimmerman AW, Pardo CA. Neuroglial activation and neuroinflammation in the brain of patients with autism. Ann Neurol. 2005 Jan;57(1):67-81.

Immune system & Autism:An overview [Pardo 2005]

Immune dysregulation and increased inflammation are frequent findings in autism

Over-active innate inflammatory response, especially increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, is a consistent finding.

There is evidence of over-activity of the immune system in all parts of the immune system, with inflammation in the blood, in the brain, and in the GI tract of many of these children.

Therapies?Many simple things support the immune system and promote T regulation: Dietary intervention Probiotics Omega-3 fatty acids Vitamin D Anti-oxidants Metabolic support with supplements such as

meB-12 and glutathione

Improving Immunity

Diet Remove foods causing immune stimulation Healthy, well balanced Free of toxins

Supplements to support metabolism Vitamins Minerals Antioxidants

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Exercise and stress

Exercise has been shown to boost the immune response moderate exercise increases the immune response in all

age groups intensive exercise can stress the immune system

Lack of sleep and exhaustion decrease immune function Psychological stress has also been found to decrease

immune function Metabolic stress – Oxidative Stress – also very

detrimental to immune function and is pro-inflammatory

Immunomodulatory Therapies Probiotics

Probiotics = dietary supplement containing live micro- organisms

Early regulation of the immune system largely dependent on gut flora

Omega 3 Fatty Acids Natural anti-inflammatory agents

Methyl B12 A crucial biochemical crossroads that helps in stabilizing

membranes and making glutathione Glutathione

Helps to regulate T cells and regenerate gut epithelium

Probiotics Probiotic bacteria can modulate abnormal

gastrointestinal immune responses: Suppress either antibody-mediated or T cell

mediated hypersensitivity to food so decreases gut inflammation

Increases secretory IgA production Decreases gut permeability Stimulates NK cells Increases IL-10 production so improves immune

regulatory function

Good guys in the gut

GI tract is sterile until birth Colonization begins immediately after birth

and is nearly complete by one week of life, but quantity and species vary markedly over the first 6 months of life and is “adult” by 2 yrs

More than 1000 species have been found, each with numerous strains

Easier to detect via molecular means than by culture

Fun facts about flora

We have 10 viable bacteria/gm of large bowel content which is more bacteria in one person’s gut than there have ever been humans on the planet - 10 trillion bacteria which weigh ~ 3 lbs

There are 10 X more bacteria in the gastrointestinal lumen than the number of cells in the human body

There are 100 X the human genome’s DNA content in those bacteria

The metabolic activity of the intestinal flora is greater than that of the liver’s

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Microbes in the gut – our Flora Neonatal, childhood, and adult flora differ

based upon environmental factors : Mode of delivery (C/S vs vaginal) Hygiene measures Maternal flora Breast vs formula feeding Antibiotic exposure Diet

“Bugs” aren’t always bad Intestinal bacterial flora are there for a reason Interact with the immune system of the host Compete with pathogens for space and

resources in the intestines We get short chain fatty acids (Vit K etc) for

our metabolic pathways Humans get heat from the metabolism of

indigestible (to us) compounds

Old friends

Mammalian evolution has kept us in close contact with relatively harmless micro-organisms over a long period of time

We recognize these “old friends” and they help to educate our immune system

Decreased types of bacteria in our gut from antibiotics similar to effect of global warming to the planet

Hygiene Hypothesis???

Hygiene Hypothesis

Hygiene Hypothesis The rise in allergic conditions (TH2) and

autoimmune disorders (TH1) in Westernized countries is from immune dysregulation due to modern hygiene with decreased exposure to microbes that “prime” the immune system to develop T regulatory cells

Tolerance “has to be carefully taught”

Microbial diplomacy

Probiotics - dead or alive - can affect systems in the body by contributing to the communications among the gut's native microbes.

The gut is the largest immune organ in the body – so particularly important in “orchestrating” immune response

Effects of Probiotics on the Immune System

Produce natural anti-microbials Block adhesion of toxins and pathogens Modulate immune response

Enhanced natural killer cell activity Increase mucosal and secretory IgA Decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines (chemical

messages) Increase anti-inflammatory cytokines and T regs Barrier function

Saarela M et al, Int J Food Microbiol. 2002; 78:99-117

Proven uses of Probiotics

Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment as well as prevention of antibiotic-

associated diarrhea Reducing the duration and severity of colds

and flu-like illnesses Treatment and prevention of pediatric atopic

dermatitis

Many different types of bacteria… Bifidobacterium Lactobacillus Escherichia Bacteroides Clostridium Fusobacterium Eubacterium Pepto – and Peptostreptococcus

Unknowns

Don’t know what species/brand is most beneficial – does it vary by disease state?

Mix of strains or single strain? Dose? Do you have to continue to ingest them daily or do

the benefits stop when you stop taking them? Who is at risk of severe adverse event? How good are the marketed supplements?

Taking Probiotics

Live-culture yogurt (for those who tolerate milk) or fermented foods

Supplements: Want at least 10 billion colonies (CFU’s) per day

Many good brands: see Handout Klaire Labs Kirkman Culturelle Jarro-Dophilus VSL3

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-6 fatty acids (in many processed foods) are pro-inflammatory.

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil, flax seed oil) are anti-inflammatory - can have marked influence on both specific and nonspecific immune responses in modifying inflammatory precursors and replacing Omega-6 FAs in cell membranes.

1 - 2 grams a day can be given safely. Start with a low dose and work up.

See Handout for food content and supplement brands

Kankaanpaa P, Dietary fatty acids and allergy. Annals of Med 31(4): 282-7, 1999Grimm H, Regulatory potential of n-3 fatty acids in immunological and inflammatory process. Brit J Nutrition 87(sup 1): S59-67, 2002.

Vitamin A Research now recognizing the impact in the immune

system Decreases autoimmunity Helps in regulation Aides IgA function

Take recommended daily allowance in a multi-vitamin

Retinoic acid-dependent regulation of immune responses by dendritic cells and macrophages. Manicassamya, S and Pulendrana,B. Seminars in Immunology (2009) 21:22–27.

Regulation of FoxP3+ Regulatory T Cells and Th17 Cells by Retinoids. Kim CH. Clinical and Developmental Immunology (2008)

Role of retinoic acid in the imprinting of gut-homing IgA-secreting cells. Mora, J R and von Andrian U H. Seminars in Immunology. (2009) 21:28–35.

Vitamin D

Critical role in innate immunity and autoimmunity

Very frequently low in patients with autoimmune disease

Low in people with darker skin or little sun exposure – made in skin when in sunlight

Can measure 25 (OH) D3 level in the blood Want levels 50 – 90 ng/ml range

Immune functions of Vit D

Nonclassic actions of Vitamin D. Bikle D. J Clin Endocrinol Metab January 2009, 94(1): 26-34. Inhibits T cell proliferation Increases IL-10 and TGF-beta (regulatory cytokines) Increases T regs Decreases innate inflammation

Evidence that vitamin D3 reverses age-related inflammatory changes in the rat hippocampus. Moore ME et al. Biochemical Society Transactions (2005) 33(4): 573- 577.

… vitamin D3 acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and reverses the age-related increase in microglial activation in the brain.

Dosing Vitamin D

Safe to give children 2000 IU per day without checking a blood level.

If measured value is low (< 30ng/ml), can give 4000-5000 IU daily ; don’t go above 10,000 IU per day.

Endocrinologists give adults with levels below 20 – 30 Ergocalciferol 50,000 IU once a week for 3 months, then once a month.

Check levels and don’t let the patient get above 90 ng/ml of 25(OH)D

Antioxidants – Curcumin (Turmeric)

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:105-25.

The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is most likely mediated through its ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), lipoxygenase (LOX), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), all important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes.

Cook with it!

Antioxidants – CoQ 10 and Quercetin

CoQ-10 is anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant Start with 50 mg a day, can go to 100 - 200 mg

Quercetin Natural antihistamine (for allergies) Quercetin also has anti-inflammatory properties Dose – start with 100 mg a day, can go to 200 mg

Goal: Decrease inflammatory stimulation

Vaccines Ask for IgG vaccine antibody titers to see if

boosters are necessary or not, especially for live viral vaccines (MMR, varicella)

Decrease Stress Depresses immunity; causes Th1 -> Th2 shift

Avoid/Remove Toxins Cause autoimmunity, promotes immune dysregulation

Decrease oxidative stress Activates innate immunity

Avoid overusing antibiotics and acetaminophen

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial illness that may cause your child to run a fever MOST CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES ARE CAUSED

BY VIRUSES Viruses are NOT killed by antibiotics

Acetaminophen is used for fever and inflammation Not all fevers need to be treated

American Academy of Pediatrics Management of Children With Autism Spectrum

Disorders – Pediatrics November 2007 120: 1162-1182. http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/120/5/1162

Toolkit - published 2007 Diagnosis Treatment options

Includes gfcf diet!

Gastrointestinal Disorders in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders – Pediatrics Jan 2010

Summary: Immune dysregulation and increased inflammation are frequent in autism

Over-active innate inflammatory response especially increased pro-inflammatory

cytokines including TNF-α There is evidence of over-activity of the

immune system especially the innate immune system adaptive immune system appears to be

dysregulated as well inflammation in the blood, in the brain, and

in the GI tract of many of these children

FIXING BROKEN BIOCHEMISTRY and SUPPORTING IMMUNE REGULATION HELPS!

Good News - Changes in diagnostic codes for autism

In 2006, the official ICD-9 codes were: 299.0 Autistic disorder

Childhood autismInfantile psychosisKanner's syndrome

299.8 Other specified pervasive developmental disordersAsperger's disorder

299.9 Unspecified pervasive developmental disorderPervasive developmental disorder NOS

Changes in diagnostic codes for autism from 4 digits to 5 …

As of 2007, an “extra digit” had to be added:

“0” if the Autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS is in a “current or active state” [299.00]

“1” if the Autism, Asperger’s, or PDD-NOS is in a “residual state” [299.01]

Every physician who sees a child on the spectrum now has to specify if the child is “losing” the diagnosis!