New research shows that the microbiome in the mother's body determines the risk of her offspring suffering from autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This work raises the possibility that prevention of autism by expectant mothers is as simple as changing the diet or taking probiotics.
Credit: Alexandra N. Angelich | University of Virginia Communications
A microbiome is a collection of microorganisms (such as bacteria) that naturally exist in our bodies. Science is increasingly revealing its importance to health. Recently, researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) Medical School found that by blocking the specific inflammatory molecule IL-17a produced by the immune system, the development of neurological diseases similar to autism in mice is prevented, thus preventing Autism offers another potential pathway.
This research has recently been published in The Journal of Immunology under the title "Cutting Edge: Critical Roles for Microbiota-Mediated Regulation of the Immune System in a Prenatal Immune Activation Model of Autism".
Microbes and autism
Lead author, Dr. John Lukens, Principal Investigator of the Department of Neuroscience, UVA, and colleagues have pioneered the complex relationship between the health of the microbiome in the mother's body and the healthy development of her child. “The microbiome can shape the developing brain in a variety of ways,†explains Lukens. “The microbiome is very important for calibrating the immune system's response to infection, injury or stress.â€
This study suggests that an unhealthy microbial community in the mother can make her offspring prone to neurodevelopmental disorders. The good news is that the microbiome can be easily changed by diet, probiotic supplements or fecal transplants. All of these methods attempt to restore a healthy balance between different microorganisms in the gut.
Lukens said: "The next step is to determine the characteristics of the microbiome in pregnant women. These characteristics are related to the risk of autism. It is important to understand what can be used to regulate the microbial community in the mother as safely and effectively as possible."
Another option to prevent autism?
The study found that IL-17a is a major factor in the development of autism in mice. Blocking IL-17a may provide a way to prevent autism, but Lukens says the road poses a much greater risk. "The maintenance of embryonic health requires a complex balance of immune regulation, so people tend to avoid manipulating the immune system during pregnancy."
In addition, IL-17a is associated with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and psoriasis, and there are already anti-drugs. But Lukens pointed out that IL-17a has an important role in preventing infections, especially fungal infections, and preventing it from making people susceptible to infection. This will have a complex knock-on effect on the child's development during pregnancy, and scientists need to study this issue.
In the future, Lukens and the team plan to explore the potential role of other immune molecules in autism and other similar conditions. He said that IL-17a may be just one of a bigger mystery.
Although Lukens' job is to link the immune system to neurodevelopmental disorders, he emphasizes that this does not explain that vaccines are one of the causes of autism. He said: "There is a clear link between immune response and brain development. This has nothing to do with the vaccine.
Lukens' research is based on the latest research from UVA to illustrate the importance of the microbiome in maintaining good health. For example, Dr. Alban Gaultier, a colleague of Lukens in the Department of Neuroscience, found that probiotics in yogurt can reverse depression.
Reference materials:
1) Autism risk determined by health of mom's gut.
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