Autism-like behavior linked to Th17 cells in maternal gut microbiome

Scientists showed that intestinal bacteria-induced activation of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells in the gut of pregnant mice affects development of the primary somatosensory cortex and leads to autism-like behaviors in offspring. The two Nature papers help explain how inflammation associated with infections or autoimmunity increases the risk of developing autism-like behavioral disorders.

The papers' authors included researchers from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology...