Evolution of a maternal immune activation (mIA) model in rats: early developmental effects

Publication date: Available online 12 September 2018Source: Brain, Behavior, and ImmunityAuthor(s): Katie N. Murray, Michelle E. Edye, Maurizio Manca, Anthony C. Vernon, Joanna M. Oladipo, Victoria Fasolino, Michael K. Harte, Varsha Mason, Ben Grayson, Patrick C. McHugh, Irene Knuesel, Eric P. Prinssen, Reinmar Hager, Joanna C. NeillAbstractMaternal immune activation (mIA) in rodents is rapidly emerging as a key model for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. Here, we optimise a mIA model in rats, aiming to address certain limitations of current work in this area. Specifically, the lack of clear evidence for methodology chosen, identification of successful induction of mIA in the dams and investigation of male offspring only. We focus on gestational and early juvenile changes in offspring following mIA as detailed information on these critical early developmental time points is sparse.Following strain (Wistar, Hooded Lister, Sprague Dawley) comparison and selection, and polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) dose selection (2.5-15 mg/kg single or once daily for 5 days), mIA was induced in pregnant Wistar rats with 10 mg/kg poly I:C i.p. on gestational day (GD) 15. Early morphometric analysis was conducted in male and female offspring at GD21 and postnatal day (PD) 21, eight dams for each treatment at each time point were used, 32 in total. Subsequent microglia analysis was conducted at PD21 in a small group of offsp...
Source: Brain, Behavior, and Immunity - Category: Neurology Source Type: research