Maternal TH17 cells and psychiatric disorders
Methods are presented herein for reducing the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder (e.g., autism like disorder) in a fetus involving administering an inhibitor of T helper 17 (Th17) cell activity to the mother of the fetus, while the mother is pregnant with the fetus at risk. Also encompassed herein is a method for treating a fetus in utero to reduce the risk of abnormal cortical development that arises from Th17 cell-mediated activity.
1. A method for reducing the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder in a fetus, the method comprising administering an inhibitor of T helper 17 (Th17) cell activity to a pregnant female, wherein the inhibitor of T helper 17 (Th17) cell activity is an antibody specific for IL-17a or IL-17 receptor, and wherein the pregnant female is carrying the fetus in utero.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the autism spectrum disorder is autism.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of Th17 cell activity is administered to the female in the first, second, or third trimester of the pregnancy.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising assaying IL-17a levels in a sample isolated from the pregnant female.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the sample is whole blood, sera, or amniotic fluid.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pregnant female was or is afflicted with a hyper-inflammatory condition during the pregnancy with the fetus, wherein the hyper-inflammatory condition is associated with a viral or bacterial infection or exposure to an inflammatory or environmental toxin during the pregnancy with the fetus.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pregnant female has given birth to at least one offspring afflicted with a autism spectrum disorder in a previous pregnancy.