The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequencies
of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and plasmacytoid
dendritic cells (pDCs) in children with ASD. Subjects
were 32 children with ASD and 30 healthy children as controls.
The numbers of mDCs and pDCs and the expression
of CD86 and CD80 on the entire DCs were detected by
flow cytometry. ASD children had significantly higher percentages
of mDCs and pDCs when compared to controls.
We found significant inverse relationships between serum
25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the frequencies of mDCs
and pDCs in autistic children. Our data suggested that DCs
could play a role in the clinical course of ASD. The relationship
of DCs to immune disorders in ASD remains to be
determined.