Decreased Numbers of CD57+CD3− Cells Identify Potential Innate Immune Differences in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background/Aim: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are complex, and severe heterogeneous neurodevelopmental pathologies with accepted but complex immune system abnormalities. Additional knowledge regarding potential immune dysfunctions may provide a greater understanding of this malady. The aim of this study was to evaluate the CD57+CD3− mature lymphocyte subpopulation of natural killer cells as a marker of immune dysfunction in ASD. Materials and Methods: Three-color flow cytometry-based analysis of fresh peripheral blood samples from children with autism was utilized to measure CD57+CD3− lymphocytes. Results. A reduction of CD57+CD3− lymphocyte count was recorded in a significant number of patients with autism. Discussion and conclusion: We demonstrated that the number of peripheral CD57+CD3− cells in children with autism often falls below the clinically accepted normal range. This implies that a defect in the counter-regulatory functions necessary for balancing pro-inflammatory cytokines exists, thus opening the way to chronic inflammatory conditions associated with ASD.