Grantee Research Project Results

2005 Progress Report: Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular Biomakers Core

EPA Grant Number: R829388C003
Subproject: this is subproject number 003 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829388
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: UC Davis Center for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention
Center Director: Van de Water, Judith
Title: Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular Biomakers Core
Investigators: Hagerman, Paul , Sharp, Frank , Gregg, Jeffrey
Institution: University of California - Davis
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: September 30, 2001 through September 29, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: September 30, 2004 through September 29, 2005
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2001) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health

Objective:

To identify transcriptional biomarkers that may be unique to autistic children by examining global profiles from blood samples collected from the CHARGE study. To perform similar analyses from tissues collected from animal and cellular models.

Progress Summary:

Researchers in the Molecular Genomics Core have established a streamlined, standardized procedure for processing PaxGene tubes collected by CHARGE phlebotomists. Extraction and purification of RNA, quality analysis, and hybridization on Affymetrix U133 2 PLUS arrays are performed in batches.

Transcriptional Signature distinguishes autism from general population: We have identified 12 genes that are differentially expressed in children with both early onset and regressive autism when compared to typically developing children from the general population. All twelve genes are highly expressed by NK cells and distinguish both variations of autism from age-matched children in the general population. These changes may represent abnormalities in signaling pathways that could be relevant in the brain and may provide clues about mechanisms that produce symptoms of autism. These data may point to causative genes that affect signaling in NK and CD8 cells. Alternatively, the changes in gene expression may represent the effect of some environmental factor(s), a persistent viral infection, a manifestation of an autoimmune disease, or a genetic abnormality associated with a propensity for autoimmunity.

Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other subproject views:	All 4 publications	2 publications in selected types	All 2 journal articles
Other center views:	All 179 publications	162 publications in selected types	All 161 journal articles

Publications
Type	Citation	Sub Project	Document Sources
Journal Article	Li L, Li H. Dimension reduction methods for microarrays with application to censored survival data. Bioinformatics 2004;20(18):3406-3412.	R829388 (2006) R829388 (Final) R829388C003 (2005)	Abstract from PubMed Full-text: Oxford-Full Text PDF Exit Abstract: Oxford-Abstract Exit

Supplemental Keywords:

RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, PHYSICAL ASPECTS, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Health Risk Assessment, Chemistry, Risk Assessments, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Disease & Cumulative Effects, Physical Processes, Children's Health, genetic susceptability, Biology, Risk Assessment, chemical exposure, neurotoxic, xenobiotics, biomarkers, gene-environment interaction, neurodevelopment, pesticides, exposure, halogenated aromatics, children, neurobehavioral, neurodevelopmental, neurotoxicity, etiology, susceptibility, human exposure, neurobehavioral effects, autism, biological markers, mechanisms, exposure assessment, neurological development, biomarker, synergistic interactions

Relevant Websites:

Global RNA arrays, RT-PCR, autism, transcriptional profiling, Molecular analysis of SNPs,

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R829388 UC Davis Center for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829388C001 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Analytic Biomakers (xenobiotic) Core
R829388C002 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Cell Activation/Signaling Core
R829388C003 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular Biomakers Core
R829388C004 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (The CHARGE Study)
R829388C005 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Animal Models of Autism
R829388C006 Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Autism

Top of Page

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.