The maternal interleukin-17a pathway in mice promotes autism-like phenotypes in offspring

Viral infection during pregnancy has been correlated with increased frequency of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring. This observation has been modeled in rodents subjected to maternal immune activation (MIA). The immune cell populations critical in the MIA model have not been identified. Using both genetic mutants and blocking antibodies in mice, we show that retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma t (RORγt)-dependent effector T lymphocytes [for example, T helper 17 (TH17) cells] and the effector cytokine interleukin-17a (IL-17a) are required in mothers for MIA-induced behavioral abnormalities in offspring. We find that MIA induces an abnormal cortical phenotype, which is also…

• HH
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• BA
  Brain and Behavior Research Foundation

  Award: 21069
• SF
  Simons Foundation
• AA
  Alzheimer's Association

  Award: MNIRGDP-12-258900
• CA
  Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

  Award: 329388
• RA
  Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation
• SS
  Searle Scholars Program
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: MEST-35B-2011-1-E00012, NRF-2014R1A1A1006089
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: R01NS086933, F31NS083277, R00DK091508