title: Immune mediators in the brain and peripheral tissues in autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Increasing evidence points to a central role for immune dysregulation in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several ASD risk genes encode components of the immune system and many maternal immune system-related risk factors--including autoimmunity, infection and fetal reactive antibodies--are associated with ASD. In addition, there is evidence of ongoing immune dysregulation in individuals with ASD and in animal models of this disorder. Recently, several molecular signalling pathways--including pathways downstream of cytokines, the receptor MET, major histocompatibility complex class I molecules, microglia and complement factors--have been identified that link immune activation to ASD phenotypes. Together, these findings indicate that the immune system is a point of convergence for multiple ASD-related genetic and environmental risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, California 95618, USA.
authors.forename: Myka L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.affiliation: Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, California 95618, USA.
authors.forename: A Kimberley
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: McAllister
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors