Abstract
Neuroanatomical studies have revealed extensive structural brain abnormalities in subjects with autism. Recently, studies have provided evidence of neuroglial responses and neuroinflammation in autism. The current study investigated whether two astrocytic markers, aquaporin 4 and connexin 43, are altered in brains from subjects with autism. Postmortem brain tissues from Brodmann's Area 40 (BA40, parietal cortex), Brodmann's Area 9 (BA9, superior frontal cortex), and cerebella of subjects with autism and matched controls were subject to SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Connexin 43 expression was increased significantly in BA9. Aquaporin 4 expression was decreased significantly in cerebellum. These data suggest that changes are apparent in markers for abnormal glial-neuronal communication (connexin 43 and aquaporin 4) in brains of subjects with autism.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aquaporin 4 / analysis
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Aquaporin 4 / metabolism*
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Astrocytes / metabolism*
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Autistic Disorder / diagnosis
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Autistic Disorder / metabolism*
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Autistic Disorder / physiopathology
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Autopsy
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Biomarkers / analysis
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Biomarkers / metabolism
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Brain / abnormalities
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Brain / metabolism*
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Brain / physiopathology
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Cell Communication / physiology
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Cell Membrane / metabolism
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Cerebellum / abnormalities
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Cerebellum / metabolism
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Cerebellum / physiopathology
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Connexin 43 / analysis
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Connexin 43 / metabolism*
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Down-Regulation / physiology
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Female
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Frontal Lobe / abnormalities
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Frontal Lobe / metabolism
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Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
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Gap Junctions / metabolism
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Gliosis / etiology
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Gliosis / metabolism
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Gliosis / physiopathology
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Humans
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Male
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Neurons / metabolism
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Parietal Lobe / abnormalities
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Parietal Lobe / metabolism
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Parietal Lobe / physiopathology
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Up-Regulation / physiology
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Water-Electrolyte Balance / physiology
Substances
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AQP4 protein, human
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Aquaporin 4
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Biomarkers
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Connexin 43
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GJA1 protein, human