In recent years, many studies have shown just how important our gut microbiome is for our health. It plays a role in many things — from how we respond to fear or stress, to our weight and mental well-being, and even our chances of developing autoimmune conditions like lupus or type 1 diabetes.
But here’s something interesting:
A new study published in The Journal of Immunology has found a possible link between gut health and autism. What makes this study unique is that it points to the mother’s gut microbiome, not the child’s, as a potential factor.
As lead researcher John Lukens from the University of Virginia explained, the microbiome can shape how the developing brain grows in the womb. It also helps decide how the baby’s immune system will react to infections, injuries, or stress after birth.
The focus of this research is a molecule called interleukin-17a, or IL-17a. This molecule is part of the immune system and is already connected to illnesses like multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. It also plays an important role in fighting off certain infections, especially fungal ones.
The researchers wanted to know: could IL-17a influence brain development linked to autism?
To find out, they worked with two groups of female mice. One group had gut bacteria that made them likely to have an IL-17a-related response. The other group acted as a control and didn’t have this risk.
When the team blocked IL-17a in these mice, their pups showed typical behaviors. But when they let things happen naturally, pups from the first group developed behaviors similar to autism, like social difficulties and repetitive actions.
To be sure, they went a step further. They did a fecal transplant, changing the gut bacteria in the control group to match the first group. As expected, their pups then showed the same behaviors.
Although these are early findings in animals, they open new paths for research. The next step is to see if the same links exist in humans, as the researchers believe IL-17a could be just one piece of a larger puzzle.