Neuroimmune dysregulation in prepubertal and adolescent individuals affected by Klinefelter syndrome

Background: The syndrome Klinefelter (KS) is a genetic disorder due to an extra X chromosome in males. Many cases remain undiagnosed until the onset of major manifestations, which include hypergonadotropic hypogonadism and infertility. This condition is associated with many comorbidities that interest the cardiovascular, the endocrine, and the immune systems. Last but not least, individuals with KS show a high risk of developing psychiatric and mood disorders in adult age. Objective: While many studies are accessible for KS adults' individuals the neuroinflammatory condition in adolescent and prepubertal KS individuals is not fully known. Methods: Our study aims to evaluate in prepubertal and adolescent KS individuals for the first time the levels in the serum of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), cytokines having subtle roles in oxidative processes, and neuroinflammation as TNF-α, TGF-β, MCP-1, IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12 and oxidative stress as free oxygen radicals defense and free oxygen radicals' test. Results: We found no changes in NGF and oxidative stress parameters, but BDNF decreased compared to healthy children. Quite interestingly, our data showed reduced levels of IL-2, IL-1α. IL-12, IL-10, and IL-6 in prepubertal KS children. Conclusion: The present study discloses disrupted immune system and neurotrophins pathways in KS children.