Study effects of the immune system on our social skills

Our immune system influences social behavior and neurological disorders
Is there a connection between our immune system and social deficits? Researchers have now found that a malfunctioning immune system may be responsible for social deficits in neurological disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.

Scientists from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the University of Virginia found in their new study that our immune system can influence our social behavior. The results could contribute to a deeper understanding of social dysfunction in autism and schizophrenia. The physicians published the results of their new study in the journal "Nature".

Does our immune system influence certain processes in our brain? Researchers found that our immune system can influence our social behavior and even affect social deficits in neurological diseases. (Image: Tatiana Shepeleva / fotolia.com)

Signaling the immune system directly influences social behavior
The team of experts developed and used a novel systems biology approach that explored the complex dialogue between signaling the immune system and brain functions. The scientists were able to determine that the signaling of the immune system directly influenced how the social behavior of mice and other experimental animals was.

New method improves understanding
The novel biological approach now makes it possible to better understand the complex dialogue between our immune system and our brain, says Yang Xu of the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Signatures of canonical immune signals could be analyzed by the researchers using the new method. The physicians discovered a hidden link between immune signaling and social functions of the brain.

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) promotes the social functions of the brain
A particular substance seemed to play an unexpectedly important role in this context, the glycoprotein, called interferon gamma (IFN-γ), is secreted by the immune cells and appears to promote the social functions of the brain.

Blocking IFN-γ causes hyperactivity and atypical social behavior
If the IFN-γ protein is blocked in the brains of mice, these animals become hyperactive and show an atypical social behavior. Recovering the so-called IFN-γ protein causes brain activity and social behavior to return to normal, say the experts. The findings may open new therapeutic approaches in the future to treat diseases such as autism and schizophrenia. Vladimir Litvak from the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Brain and immune system do not work separately
For a long time it was assumed that our brains and the so-called adaptive immune system act separately, explain the physicians. The new results not only show close collaboration, but some of our behaviors may have evolved as an immune system response to various pathogens, said Jonathan Kipnis of the University of Virginia.

New technology opens up completely new examination methods
I strongly believe that someone could use our new technology as a blueprint to study the involvement of various immune components in various brain dysfunctions. Litvak added. (As)