Critical Role of TLR4 on the Microglia Activation Induced by Maternal LPS Exposure Leading to ASD-Like Behavior of Offspring.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To investigate the role of TLR4 on the microglia activation in the pre-frontal cortex, which leads to autism-like behavior of the offspring induced by maternal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. Methods: Pregnant TLR4^-/- (knockout, KO) and WT (wild type, WT) dams were intraperitoneally injected with LPS or PBS, respectively. The levels of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the maternal serum and fetal brain were assessed with ELISA following LPS exposure. The gestation period, litter size and weight of the offspring were evaluated. Three-chamber sociability test, open field test and olfactory habituation/dishabituation test were used to assess the offspring's autism-like behavior at 7 weeks of age. Western blotting was performed to examine the levels of TLR4, Phos

SUBMITTER: Xiao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7969707 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature