Rubio-Casillas, A.; Redwan, E.M.; Uversky, V.N. On the Potential Therapeutic Roles of Taurine in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuroglia2023, 4, 1-14.
Rubio-Casillas, A.; Redwan, E.M.; Uversky, V.N. On the Potential Therapeutic Roles of Taurine in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuroglia 2023, 4, 1-14.
Rubio-Casillas, A.; Redwan, E.M.; Uversky, V.N. On the Potential Therapeutic Roles of Taurine in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuroglia2023, 4, 1-14.
Rubio-Casillas, A.; Redwan, E.M.; Uversky, V.N. On the Potential Therapeutic Roles of Taurine in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuroglia 2023, 4, 1-14.
Abstract
Contemporary research has found that people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit aberrant immunological function, with a shift toward increased cytokine production and unusual cell function. Microglia and astroglia were found to be significantly activated in immuno-cytochemical studies, and cytokine analysis revealed that the macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFB-1), all generated in the neuroglia, constituted the most predominant cytokines in the brain. Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a promising therapeutic molecule able to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and ATPase, which may be protective against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity. It can also stimulate neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and reprogramming of proinflammatory M1 macrophage polarization by decreasing mitophagy (mitochondrial autophagy) and raising the expression of the markers of the anti-inflammatory and pro-healing M2 macrophages, such as macrophage mannose receptor (MMR, CD206) and IL-10, while lowering the expression of the M1 inflammatory factor genes. Taurine also induces autophagy, which is a mechanism that is impaired in microglia cells and is critically associated with the pathophysiology of the ASD. We hypothesize here that taurine could reprogram the metabolism of M1 macrophages that are overstimulated in the nervous system of people suffering from ASD, thereby decreasing the neuroinflammatory process, neuronal death, and improving cognitive functions. Therefore, we think that taurine can serve as an important lead for the development of novel drugs for the ASD treatment.
Medicine and Pharmacology, Psychiatry and Mental Health
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