Social behavior is regulated by the adaptive immune system

In our daily life we expect everybody to have correct social behavior. However, some people are suffering from disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which lead to certain abnormalities in social behavior. Individuals with ASD are characterized by deficits in social interactions and communication as well as by repetitive, stereotyped behavior. These behavioral abnormalities are detectable in early childhood and continue throughout life. Although the prevalence of ASD is relatively high, i.e., at least 1 in 68 children in the United States, it is not fully understood what causes this complex neurodevelopmental disorder (1-3).