Brain exosomes as minuscule information hub for Autism Spectrum Disorder

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder initiating in the first three years of life. Early initiation of management therapies can significantly improve the health and quality of life of ASD subjects. Thus, indicating the need for suitable biomarkers for the early identification of ASD. Various biological domains were investigated in the quest for reliable biomarkers. However, most biomarkers are in the preliminary stage, and clinical validation is yet to be defined. Exosome based research gained momentum in various Central Nervous System disorders for biomarker identification. However, the utility and prospect of exosomes in ASD is still underexplored.

Areas covered

In the present review, we summarized the biomarker discovery current status and the future of brain-specific exosomes in understanding pathophysiology and its potential as a biomarker. The studies reviewed herein were identified via systematic search (dated: June 2021) of PubMed using variations related to autism (ASD OR autism OR Autism spectrum disorder) AND exosomes AND/OR biomarkers.

Expert Opinion

As exosomess are highly relevant in brain disorders like ASD, direct access to brain tissue for molecular assessment is ethically impossible. Thus investigating the brain-derived exosomes would undoubtedly answer many unsolved aspects of the pathogenesis and provide reliable biomarkers.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism spectrum disorder (asd)
• exosomes
• brain-derived exosomes
• biomarkers
• miRNA
• proteins

Article highlights

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder, with a worldwide prevalence of 1-1.5%.

• Early initiation of management therapies can significantly improve health and quality of life, indicating the need for suitable biomarkers for early diagnosis.

• Exosome based research has gained momentum in Central Nervous System disorders; however, its utility in ASD is still underexplored.

• This review highlights the significance of brain-derived exosomes (BDEs) in expanding the current horizon of ASD pathophysiology and biomarker discovery.

Acknowledgments

D Delsa Dean is thankful to DST-SERB for providing fellowship.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewers disclosure

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by a project grant from the Department of Science and Technology- Science and Engineering Research Board (DST- SERB), New Delhi, provided for the study focussing on probing exosomes for biomarker discovery in ASD (File No: EMR/2016/007407).