Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
9194760 Journal of Neuroimmunology 2005 7 Pages PDF
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidilic acid (poly I:C) or saline was administered to rats to model maternal infection; levels of TNFα, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were determined by ELISA. TNFα was significantly increased in maternal plasma, placenta, and amniotic fluid, while it was significantly decreased in fetal liver/spleen and neonatal brain. NGF and BDNF were significantly decreased in the placenta and fetal liver/spleen. There was no change in BDNF or NGF in the fetal or neonatal brain. Changes in TNFα, BDNF, and NGF after maternal exposure to poly I:C represent a potential mechanism through which maternal infection increases risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Related Topics
Life Sciences Immunology and Microbiology Immunology
Authors
, , ,