Serum claudin-5, claudin-11, occludin, vinculin, paxillin, and beta-catenin levels in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder.

These findings suggest that claudin-11, occludin, and β-catenin may be involved in the pathogenesis of ASD. These proteins may affect the brain by causing dysregulation in intestinal or blood-brain barrier permeability or with other unknown mechanisms.