Release date: 2016-03-02 The microcephaly malformation caused by the Zika virus has recently become an amazing headline. Although people have rarely heard of the relationship between pregnancy infection and brain development, epidemiologists have known this association for many years. There is increasing evidence that maternal immune activation is sufficient to alter brain development, which may have a causal relationship with autism spectrum disorders. On this issue, on February 26th, Science reported on Choi and other important components of this immune pathway: a special type of cell in the mother's immune system, called T helper 17 cells (TH17), can change her offspring. The brain development of the fetus. These findings have exciting implications for developing new treatments to prevent autism spectrum disorders caused by maternal infections. Mechanism of action The causes of autism spectrum disorders are complex and not entirely clear. Changes in the immune system during pregnancy, especially during critical periods in the early stages of fetal development, may play a role. The cytokine IL-6 is first activated in the serum of pregnant mice after activation of the immune system. IL-17 acts downstream of IL-6. Since IL-17 is secreted by TH17 in the mother's peripheral blood, it can pass through the placenta and alter the brain development of the offspring. Choi et al. stimulated infection or inflammation in pregnant mice, and the behavior exhibited by the next generation is reminiscent of autism spectrum disorders. Using gene mutations and antibody blockade in mice, the results indicate that the retinoic acid receptor, the associated orphan nuclear receptor (RORγtγT), is dependent on effector T lymphocytes (eg, TH17 cells). The presence of IL-17 in the mother is necessary for the maternal immune activation to cause behavioral abnormalities in the offspring. Among mothers, some T helper cells that produce the cytokine IL-17 cause defects in the cerebral cortex and offspring behaviors related to autism spectrum disorders. TH17 cells protect the body during normal work, preventing bacterial and fungal infections, especially in mucosal surfaces such as the intestines. TH17 cells cause an autoimmune effect. Although the association between IL-17 and the TH17 cells that produce it and the autism spectrum disorder has been confirmed: the concentration of IL-17 in the blood of children with disease is elevated. But the role that TH17 brings to the fetus in maternal immunity is the first time this article was discovered. Treatment prospect The results suggest that targeted therapy for interleukin IL-17 during pregnancy, such as injection of a functional blocking antibody against IL-17, can reduce immune-induced autism spectrum disorders in offspring. This study suggests the possibility of using drugs to prevent infectious autism spectrum disorders of the IL-17 pathway. But cytokines are versatile and they are indispensable in many unrelated processes. Therefore, inhibition of IL-17 in infected mothers may have consequences that are not conducive to the infection itself. Therefore, instead of inhibiting the proliferation of TH17 cells, vitamin D or retinoic acid (a metabolite of vitamin A) is an alternative treatment that can be considered. references "The maternal interleukin-17a pathway in mice promotes autism-like phenotypes in offspring" Source: Bio-Exploration Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Youth Biotech CO,. Ltd. , https://www.youtherb.com