Maternal gut microbiota mediates prenatal stress-induced fetal blood‒brain barrier dysfunction.

ABSTRACT: Maternal prenatal stress confers elevated neuropsychiatric risk to offspring, yet the mechanisms underlying fetal neurodevelopmental impairment remain elusive. The gut microbiota has emerged as a key regulator of brain development and behavior. However, the mechanisms mediating the interactions between the microbiota and the developing brain are still poorly understood. Here, utilizing a prenatal stress mouse model integrated with multi-omics approaches, comprehensive behavioral assays, and molecular validations, we demonstrate that prenatal stress not only induces maternal gut microbiota dysbiosis during pregnancy but also, more critically, leads to fetal blood‒brain barrier (BBB) developmental defects and subsequent abnormalities in emotional behavior and cognitive function in adult offs

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12928657 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature