Reelin cells and sex-dependent synaptopathology in autism following postnatal immune activation.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here, we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD-like behaviours.

Experimental approach

C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg·kg^-1 ) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behaviour was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans-synaptic genes, including neurexin-3, neuroligin-1, and cell-a

SUBMITTER: Ardalan M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9545289 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature