Investigating the Gut Microbiome for Novel Therapies and Diagnostics for Autism

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Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a set of complex neurodevelopmental disabilities characterized by repetitive/stereotypic behaviors and deficits in communication and social interaction. Recent studies highlight striking neural and peripheral immune dysregulation in ASD. Moreover, a significant subset of ASD children exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) complications, including increased intestinal permeability and altered composition of intestinal microbiota. The potential connections between GI abnormalities, intestinal bacteria, and behavioral deficits have not yet been convincingly investigated. To examine the hypothesis that GI pathology is associated with, and contributes to behavioral symptoms, we employ a mouse model of an ASD risk factor, maternal immune activation (MIA). Our results show that these mice, which display cardinal ASD-like behaviors and neuropathology, also exhibit GI pathology. This includes changes in expression of tight junction components in the intestinal epithelium and a ¿leaky gut¿, or diminished epithelial barrier function, which is reported in a significant subset of ASD children. Remarkably, this leaky gut is associated with an altered metabolite profile in the serum of the MIA mice, suggesting that GI permeability results in translocation of bacterial products into the circulation. Furthermore, we show that administration of a probiotic bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis, to these mice cures several behavioral abnormalities while restoring GI barrier function. Our central hypothesis is that correcting GI abnormalities with probiotic bacteria may be a safe and effective treatment for some of the abnormal behaviors in ASD. The specific aims that will test this hypothesis are: 1) in mechanistic experiments, determine if a cytokine relevant to MIA induces leaky gut and 2) determine whether putative metabolites that leak from the gut contribute to or modify behavioral abnormalities. Based on compelling preliminary evidence, this project aims to explore the potential connection between GI barrier defects and altered behavior in preclinical models of autism. Our long-term goal is to explore possible serum biomarkers for ASD diagnosis, and potentially develop a novel probiotic therapy for at least a subset of children with ASD with GI issues.