Affiliations: Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience, Institute of
Neurology, University College London, London, UK | Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Queen Mary
University London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry,
London, UK | Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich, South London NHS
Trust, London, UK
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. Davide Martino, PhD, MD, Blizard
Institute, Neuroscience and Trauma Centre, Queen Mary University of London, 4
Newark Street, London E1 2AT, UK. Tel.: +44 20 7882 8605; E-mail:
d.martino@qmul.ac.uk
Abstract: The association between immunity and neurodevelopmental disorders
has been extensively investigated in autism, suggesting a potential involvement
of both cellular and humoral immunity in the establishment of synaptic
connectivity modulation during development. A similar link has been proposed
also for Tourette syndrome (TS), a complex, multifactorial disorder, in which
the interplay between genetic, environmental, hormonal and immunological
factors might be relevant. Lymphocyte subpopulation analysis in TS suggests a
possible systemic activation of several T- and B-cell subtypes, whereas the
observed decreased numbers of T regulatory lymphocytes might predispose to
autoimmunity. Genes related to both cell- and antibody-mediated immune
responses may be over-expressed at specific ages in youngsters with TS. Data
from cytokine measurements and transcriptomics profiles in TS patients are
coherent with the systemic immune activation detected by studies on lymphocyte
subpopulations. Moreover, TS patients have exhibited IgG3 and IgA
dysgammaglobulinemia, which might predispose to recurrent infections and
autoimmunity. To date, the association between TS and autoantibodies has not
been demonstrated. Interestingly, however, there is a higher degree of maternal
family history of autoimmune diseases among TS patients. Finally, TS patients
could be prone to allergic illnesses (asthma, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis,
conjunctivitis), but more work is needed in this area.
Keywords: Tourette syndrome, immunity, T cells, antibodies, neuroinflammation, allergy
