Serum claudin-5, claudin-11, occludin, vinculin, paxillin, and beta-catenin levels in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Aim

Increased intestinal and blood-brain barriers (BBB) permeability has been suggested to have a role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Claudin-5, claudin-11, occludin, β-catenin, vinculin, and paxillin are crucial components of these barriers. This study assessed concentrations of these molecules in preschool children with ASD.

Methods

A total of 80 children with ASD and 40 controls aged 18–60 months were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of biochemical variables were determined using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results

Serum claudin-11, occludin, and β-catenin levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. However, no significant difference for serum claudin-5, vinculin, and paxillin levels was detected between the groups.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that claudin-11, occludin, and β-catenin may be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD. These proteins may affect the brain by causing dysregulation in intestinal or blood-brain barrier permeability or with other unknown mechanisms.

Keywords:

• Autism spectrum disorder
• claudin
• occludin
• β-catenin
• vinculin
• paxillin

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Ayhan Bilgiç, MD, PhD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. He is professor in Faculty of Medicine, Izmir University of Economics, İzmir, Turkey. He has been working clinically with children and adolecensts with neurodevelopmental disorders for many years and doing research especially in biological psychiatry.

Hurşit Ferahkaya, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. He works at Dr. Ali Kemal Belviranlı Gynecology and Pedatrics Hospital. He conducts studies on disorders such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

Hülya Karagöz, MD, is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. She works at Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Mengücek Gazi Education and Research Hospital. She follows patients with autism spectrum disorder in the clinic and deals with scientific researches.

İbrahim Kılınç, MD, is a medical biochemist. He works as an assistant professor at Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine. He conducts biological studies with the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Vesile Meltem Energin, MD, is a pediatrician. She works as a professor at Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine. She conducts biological studies with the department of child and adolescent psychiatry.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by a grant from the Scientific Research Project Coordination Unit of Necmettin Erbakan University [Project no: 201218015].