The "don't eat me" signal CD47 is associated with microglial phagocytosis defects and autism-like behaviors in 16p11.2 deletion mice.

ABSTRACT: Various pathological characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) stem from abnormalities in brain resident immune cells, specifically microglia, to prune unnecessary synapses or neural connections during early development. Animal models of ASD exhibit an abundance of synapses in different brain regions, which is strongly linked to the appearance of ASD behaviors. Overexpression of CD47 on neurons acts as a "don't eat me" signal, safeguarding synapses from inappropriate pruning by microglia. Indeed, CD47 overexpression occurs in 16p11.2 deletion carriers, causing decreased synaptic phagocytosis and the manifestation of ASD characteristics. However, the role of CD47 in synaptic pruning impairment leading to ASD phenotypes in the 16p11.2 deletion mouse model is unclear. Moreover, whethe

SUBMITTER: Ju J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12036979 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature