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| IJCEM Copyright © 2008-All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711 |
Int J Clin Exp Med 1(4),338-344;2008
Original Article
Peripheral biomarkers in Autism: secreted amyloid precursor protein-α as a
probable key player in early diagnosis
Antoinette R. Bailey, Brian N. Giunta, Demian Obregon, William V. Nikolic, Jun Tian, Cyndy D. Sanberg, Danielle T. Sutton, and Jun Tan
Rashid Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, Silver Child Development Center; University of South Florida College of Medicine;
Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Institute for Research in Psychiatry; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of
South Florida College of Medicine; Saneron CCEL Therapeutics, Inc., Tampa, FL 33613, USA
Received September 24, 2008; accepted, October 10, 2008; available online October 15, 2008
Abstract: Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impairments in socialization and communication. There is
currently no single molecular marker or laboratory tool capable of diagnosing autism at an early age. The purpose of this study is to
explore the plausible use of peripheral biomarkers in the early diagnosis of autism via a sensitive ELISA. Here, we measured plasma
secreted amyloid precursor protein alpha (sAPP-α) levels in autistic and aged-matched control blood samples and found a significantly
increased level of sAPP-α in 60% of the known autistic children. We then tested 150 human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) samples and
found significantly elevated levels of plasma sAPP-α in 10 of 150 samples. As an additional confirmatory measure, we performed
Western blot analysis on these samples which consistently showed increased sAPP-α levels in autistic children and 10 of 150 HUCB
samples; suggesting a group of autistic patients which could be identified in early childhood by levels of sAPP-α. While there is need
for further studies of this concept, the measurement of sAPP-α levels in serum and human umbilical cord blood by ELISA is a potential
tool for early diagnosis of autism. (IJCEM809005).
Key Words: Autism; autism spectrum disorders (ASD); secreted amyloid precursor protein-α (sAPP-α); brain derived neurotrophic
factor (BNDF)
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to: Jun Tan, MD, PhD, Rashid Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, Silver Child Development
Center, Department of Psychiatry, USF College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33613, Tel. 813-974-9326; Fax: 813-974-1130, E-mail:
tan@health.usf.edu
Original Article
Peripheral biomarkers in Autism: secreted amyloid precursor protein-α as a
probable key player in early diagnosis
Antoinette R. Bailey, Brian N. Giunta, Demian Obregon, William V. Nikolic, Jun Tian, Cyndy D. Sanberg, Danielle T. Sutton, and Jun Tan
Rashid Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, Silver Child Development Center; University of South Florida College of Medicine;
Neuroimmunology Laboratory, Institute for Research in Psychiatry; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, University of
South Florida College of Medicine; Saneron CCEL Therapeutics, Inc., Tampa, FL 33613, USA
Received September 24, 2008; accepted, October 10, 2008; available online October 15, 2008
Abstract: Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder characterized by impairments in socialization and communication. There is
currently no single molecular marker or laboratory tool capable of diagnosing autism at an early age. The purpose of this study is to
explore the plausible use of peripheral biomarkers in the early diagnosis of autism via a sensitive ELISA. Here, we measured plasma
secreted amyloid precursor protein alpha (sAPP-α) levels in autistic and aged-matched control blood samples and found a significantly
increased level of sAPP-α in 60% of the known autistic children. We then tested 150 human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) samples and
found significantly elevated levels of plasma sAPP-α in 10 of 150 samples. As an additional confirmatory measure, we performed
Western blot analysis on these samples which consistently showed increased sAPP-α levels in autistic children and 10 of 150 HUCB
samples; suggesting a group of autistic patients which could be identified in early childhood by levels of sAPP-α. While there is need
for further studies of this concept, the measurement of sAPP-α levels in serum and human umbilical cord blood by ELISA is a potential
tool for early diagnosis of autism. (IJCEM809005).
Key Words: Autism; autism spectrum disorders (ASD); secreted amyloid precursor protein-α (sAPP-α); brain derived neurotrophic
factor (BNDF)
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to: Jun Tan, MD, PhD, Rashid Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiology, Silver Child Development
Center, Department of Psychiatry, USF College of Medicine, Tampa, FL 33613, Tel. 813-974-9326; Fax: 813-974-1130, E-mail:
tan@health.usf.edu
