Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice
Published on: October 10, 2025
Modeling month-season of birth as a risk factor in mouse models of chronic disease: from multiple sclerosis to
Jacob D Reynolds1, Laure K Case1, Dimitry N Krementsov1
1Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.
Abstract:
Month-season of birth (M-SOB) is a risk factor in multiple chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), where the lowest and greatest risk of developing MS coincide with the lowest and highest birth rates, respectively. To determine whether M-SOB effects in such chronic diseases as MS can be experimentally modeled, we examined the effect of M-SOB on susceptibility of C57BL/6J mice to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). As in MS, mice that were born during the M-SOB with the lowest birth rate were less susceptible to EAE than mice born during the M-SOB with the highest birth rate. We also show that the M-SOB effect on EAE susceptibility is associated with differential production of multiple cytokines/chemokines by neuroantigen-specific T cells that are known to play a role in EAE pathogenesis. Taken together, these results support the existence of an M-SOB effect that may reflect seasonally dependent developmental differences in adaptive immune responses to self-antigens independent of external stimuli, including exposure to sunlight and vitamin D. Moreover, our documentation of an M-SOB effect on EAE susceptibility in mice allows for modeling and detailed analysis of mechanisms that underlie the M-SOB effect in not only MS but in numerous other diseases in which M-SOB impacts susceptibility.-Reynolds, J. D., Case, L. K., Krementsov, D. N., Raza, A., Bartiss, R., Teuscher, C. Modeling month-season of birth as a risk factor in mouse models of chronic disease: from multiple sclerosis to autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Insights
Month-season of birth impacts chronic disease risk. This study models month-season of birth effects on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice, revealing similar patterns to multiple sclerosis (MS) and identifying immune system differences.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Month-season of birth (M-SOB) is a documented risk factor for chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The lowest and highest risks for MS correlate with the lowest and highest birth rates, respectively.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind M-SOB effects is crucial for disease prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally model the effect of M-SOB on susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice.
- To investigate whether M-SOB influences immune responses relevant to chronic autoimmune diseases.
- To establish a mouse model for studying the underlying mechanisms of M-SOB effects in diseases like MS.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6J mice were used to study the impact of M-SOB on EAE susceptibility.
- EAE induction was performed in mice born during different M-SOBs.
- Cytokine and chemokine production by neuroantigen-specific T cells was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Mice born during M-SOBs with lower birth rates showed reduced susceptibility to EAE compared to those born during M-SOBs with higher birth rates.
- The observed M-SOB effect on EAE susceptibility was linked to differential production of key cytokines and chemokines by T cells.
- These immune differences were observed independently of external factors like sunlight or vitamin D exposure.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms an M-SOB effect on EAE susceptibility in mice, mirroring patterns seen in human MS.
- Seasonally dependent developmental differences in adaptive immune responses to self-antigens may underlie the M-SOB effect.
- This mouse model provides a valuable tool for dissecting the mechanisms of M-SOB in MS and other chronic diseases.
More Related Videos
04:20Author Spotlight: Exploring Microglial Interactions with Stress-Response Circuitry Using the Limited Bedding and Nesting Model
Published on: July 12, 2024
09:09Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using PolyI:C to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring
Published on: August 17, 2022
