Gonzalez-Gronow Mario, Cuchacovich Miguel, Francos Rina, Cuchacovich Stephanie, Fernandez Maria del Pilar, Blanco Angel, Bowers Edith V, Kaczowka Steven, Pizzo Salvatore V
Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
J Neuroimmunol. 2010 Oct 8;227(1-2):153-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.06.001. Epub 2010 Jun 23.
Autistic children show elevated serum levels of autoantibodies to several proteins essential for the function of normal brains. The voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) and hexokinase-I, a VDAC protective ligand, were identified as targets of this autoimmunity in autistic children. These autoantibodies were purified using immunoaffinity chromatographic techniques. Both antibodies induce apoptosis of cultured human neuroblastoma cells. Because VDAC and hexokinase-I are essential for brain protection from ischemic damage, the presence of these autoantibodies suggests a possible causal role in the neurologic pathogenesis of autism.
自闭症儿童血清中针对正常大脑功能所必需的几种蛋白质的自身抗体水平升高。电压依赖性阴离子通道（VDAC）和己糖激酶-I（一种VDAC保护配体）被确定为自闭症儿童自身免疫的靶点。这些自身抗体采用免疫亲和色谱技术进行纯化。两种抗体均能诱导培养的人神经母细胞瘤细胞凋亡。由于VDAC和己糖激酶-I对大脑免受缺血性损伤至关重要，这些自身抗体的存在表明其在自闭症神经发病机制中可能起因果作用。
