Role of Proteases in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are severe heterogeneous neuro-developmental disorders. Interaction of genes and environmental factors origin these enigmatic conditions. ASDs are characterized by dysfunctions in social interaction and communication skills, repetitive and stereotypic verbal and non-verbal behaviours. Autistic children show immune dysfunction. ASDs are increasing in incidence and prevalence. Between 1 in 80 and 1 in 240 with an average of 1 in 88 children in the United States have an ASD, according to Center for Disease Control. The mechanisms of ASD pathogenesis are still unknown, it is priority to provide either preventative or corrective therapies. Available treatments for autism can divided into behavioural, nutritional and medical approaches, although no defined standard approach exists. ASDs are increasingly being recognized as a public health problem. The lifetime cost to care for an individual with an ASD is $3.2 million. The lack of a specific biomarker for ASDs rends these syndromes too often underestimated. The priority for the future of ASD management is the identification of potential targets for the development of diagnostic and/or therapeutic strategies. Several proteases are involved in the regulatory mechanisms of ASD pathogenesis and maintenance, as well as in cellular functions underlying these disorders (i.e. inflammatory and both innate and adaptive immune responses). Proteases could be an interesting target to better unravel the immune and inflammatory molecular pathways involved in ASD pathophysiology.