Cambridge, USA – Researchers from Harvard University have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the impact of maternal immune responses on the developing brains of mouse embryos. Their study reveals that immune reactions during pregnancy can lead to gene regulation changes in the brain cells of embryos, specifically affecting microglia, the brain cells responsible for influencing surrounding neurons.
The findings of this research suggest that these changes have long-term effects on brain development, persisting into juvenile stages of mice. This new understanding could shed light on the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Maternal immune responses are detected by microglia in the embryonic brain, leading to significant alterations in gene regulation. These changes continue to be present well into juvenile stages, long after the initial immune response has subsided. This study provides crucial insights into how maternal infections could potentially contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Published in the journal Development, the study conducted by Harvard University researchers highlights the significant role of microglia in responding to maternal immune reactions during pregnancy. By using a compound to mimic a viral infection in pregnant mice, the researchers were able to observe how genes were affected in the embryonic brain.
The researchers found that microglia play a vital role in sensing and responding to the maternal immune response. This activation of microglia leads to changes in gene regulation in surrounding brain cells, particularly neurons. Interestingly, when microglia were absent in the brain during the experiments, other brain cells did not exhibit a response to the maternal immune reaction.
Overall, this research deepens our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders in humans. The researchers suggest that microglia may serve as potential therapeutic targets in the context of maternal infections, although further research is needed to fully grasp the implications of these findings.
Moving forward, the team at Harvard University plans to investigate the long-term behavioral implications of the changes observed in this study, emphasizing the importance of continued research in this area for potential therapeutic advancements.