Publications by authors named "Samia M Ltaief"
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, as well as the occurrence of stereotyped and repetitive behaviors. Previous studies have provided solid evidence of dysregulated immune system in ASD; however, limited studies have investigated autoantibody profiles in individuals with ASD. This study aims to screen plasma autoantibodies in a well-defined cohort of young children with ASD (n = 100) and their matched controls (n = 60) utilizing a high-throughput KoRectly Expressed (KREX) i-Ome protein-array technology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder characterized by challenges with social interactions and restricted/repetitive behaviors. Here, we recruited nine Qatari children of Arab ethnicity (males, aged 2-4 years), including six ASD subjects (n = 3 mild-to-moderate ASD and n = 3 severe ASD) and three control subjects. We generated induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from PBMC samples of these subjects using non-integrating Sendai viral vectors.
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- - The study investigates potential diagnostic biomarkers for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by analyzing cytokine levels in plasma samples from children aged 2-4 in Qatar, comparing those with ASD (n = 100) to controls (n = 60).
- - Researchers identified elevated levels of IFN-γ and FGF-2 as significant indicators for ASD, while lower levels of eotaxin and HGF were linked to a reduced likelihood of having the disorder; a combination of these four cytokines showed promising diagnostic accuracy.
- - The findings suggest that specific cytokine profiles could effectively differentiate children with ASD from typically developing peers, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for the disorder.
Article Synopsis
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an advanced imaging technique that reveals detailed structures within cells, but requires specific preparation methods for biological samples, particularly blood.
- The text presents a comprehensive protocol tailored for preparing blood samples for TEM, allowing for effective visualization of the ultrastructures of blood immune cells.
- It also outlines key cellular characteristics that help differentiate various immune cells like neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes, aiding in the study of changes in these cells during different health conditions.
Unlabelled: Abnormal cytokine levels in circulating blood have been repeatedly reported in autism; however, the underlying cause remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to investigate cytokine levels in peripheral blood compartments and identify their potential immune cellular sources in subjects with autism through comparison with controls. We conducted an electronic database search (PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest Central, Ovid, SAGE Journals, and Wiley Online Library) from inception (no time limits) to July 9, 2020, and identified 75 relevant articles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane vesicles released from cells to the extracellular space, involved in cell-to-cell communication by the horizontal transfer of biomolecules such as proteins and RNA. Because EVs can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), circulating through the bloodstream and reflecting the cell of origin in terms of disease prognosis and severity, the contents of plasma EVs provide non-invasive biomarkers for neurological disorders. However, neuronal EV markers in blood plasma remain unclear.
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