Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction, communication and stereotyped, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities. The causes and risk factors of ASD are largely unknown with a complex etiology combining genetic as well as environmental factors.
In the last two decades it has been well established that an important role in the prenatal brain development is played by the immune system. Deregulation of the immune system during embryonic development may lead to neurodevelopmental changes resulting in ASD and one of the potential etiologic factors in the development of ASD has been identified as presence of maternal autoantibodies targeting the fetal brain proteins.
The type of ASD associated with the presence of maternal autoantibodies has been referred to as MAR autism (maternal antibodies related autism). The link between the maternal autoantibodies and ASD has been demonstrated in both clinical studies and animal models.
Several protein targets of ASD-related maternal autoantibodies have been identified. In this article we focus on Collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2), which has been previously shown to play an important role in regulation of axon growth and guidance during brain development.
In addition, we discuss the potential effect of CRMP2 targeting by maternal antibodies in ASD pathogenesis and future possibilities of MAR ASD treatment.