Cytokine Dysregulation in MECP2- and CDKL5-Related Rett Syndrome: Relationships with Aberrant Redox Homeostasis, Inflammation, and ω-3 PUFAs

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2015:2015:421624. doi: 10.1155/2015/421624. Epub 2015 Jul 8.

Abstract

An involvement of the immune system has been suggested in Rett syndrome (RTT), a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder related to oxidative stress, and caused by a mutation in the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) or, more rarely, cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5). To date, it is unclear whether both mutations may have an impact on the circulating cytokine patterns. In the present study, cytokines involved in the Th1-, Th2-, and T regulatory (T-reg) response, as well as chemokines, were investigated in MECP2- (MECP2-RTT) (n = 16) and CDKL5-Rett syndrome (CDKL5-RTT) (n = 8), before and after ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) supplementation. A major cytokine dysregulation was evidenced in untreated RTT patients. In MECP2-RTT, a Th2-shifted balance was evidenced, whereas in CDKL5-RTT both Th1- and Th2-related cytokines (except for IL-4) were upregulated. In MECP2-RTT, decreased levels of IL-22 were observed, whereas increased IL-22 and T-reg cytokine levels were evidenced in CDKL5-RTT. Chemokines were unchanged. The cytokine dysregulation was proportional to clinical severity, inflammatory status, and redox imbalance. Omega-3 PUFAs partially counterbalanced cytokine changes, as well as aberrant redox homeostasis and the inflammatory status. RTT is associated with a subclinical immune dysregulation as the likely consequence of a defective inflammation regulatory signaling system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Sedimentation / drug effects
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cytokines / analysis*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Erythrocytes / cytology
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation*
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / genetics
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 / metabolism*
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Rett Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Rett Syndrome / metabolism
  • Rett Syndrome / pathology*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / drug effects
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / cytology
  • Th2 Cells / drug effects
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • CDKL5 protein, human