This model is created with influenza, viral infection molecules (poly(I:C)), bacterial mimics (lipopolysaccharide) and specific cytokines (such as IL-2 and IL-6).37,38,307,308 Poly(I:C) injection at midgestation generates offspring that display three core behavioural symptoms of ASD in all mice and some nonhuman primates.37,309 Changes in maternal cytokines such as IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 levels, which may explain the MIA-induced ASD-like behaviours.296,310. Here, IL6 is linked to influenza.