Children's Peripheral Blood Leukocytes Immune Response on Some Brain and Nervous Tissue Antigens in Vitro

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of information concerning the peripheral blood leukocytes sensibility on the nerve fibers and brain tissue antigens and their participation in the central nervous system (CNS) functional activity and pathology development. There is relevance of research aimed at the elaboration of the new biological markers of brain damage and nervous system diseases. Their introduction to CNS pathology diagnosis and treatment would lead to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Methods: This investigation focused on the sensitivity of blood leukocytes to soluble nerve fiber and brain antigens in vitro among healthy children, as well as children with epilepsy and autism.

Results: It has been shown that, in vitro, some antigens of the brain and nervous tissue modulate (both inhibit and stimulate) the migration of the peripheral blood leukocytes from the glass capillary in practically healthy children. Consequently, in children without visible neurological symptoms, peripheral blood contains leukocytes that are specifically sensitized to these antigens of the brain and nervous tissue. In this regard, children with epilepsy were examined. At the beginning of treatment, the patients leucocyte sensibility to antigens significantly exceeded the reference values. During specific treatment, the indices decreased, and with a stable effect of anticonvulsant therapy, they practically returned to normal. In contrast, in children with autism, leukocyte migration in the presence of antigens was sharply reduced, compared to healthy children and children with epilepsy.

Conclusions: Significant fluctuations of the leucocytes response to the nervous system and brain antigens in vitro within a group of practically healthy children make us think about the presence of hidden neurological pathology in children. In addition, the obtained data, in our opinion, indicate the diagnostic value of changes in the degree of sensitization of blood leukocytes in CNS pathology.

Int J Clin Pediatr. 2024;13(3):96-100
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/ijcp546