Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic PolyI:C
Published on: March 25, 2016
Sex-dependent behavioral deficits and neuropathology in a maternal immune activation model of autism
Obelia Haida1, Tareq Al Sagheer1, Anais Balbous1,2
1Université de Poitiers, INSERM, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques, Poitiers, France.
Insights
Maternal immune activation in mice models autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and reveals males are more susceptible to social and motor deficits. Females show a protective effect against these developmental insults.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is linked to increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits and restricted interests, affecting males more than females.
- Motor disorders are frequently observed in ASD patients but are not primary diagnostic criteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sex-specific effects of MIA on social and motor behaviors in a mouse model of ASD.
- To examine the impact of MIA on brain regions controlling movement, including the nigro-striatal pathway, motor cortex, and cerebellum.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) model to induce MIA in pregnant mice.
- Assessed social interaction, motor development, and coordination in male and female offspring.
- Quantified neuronal and cell populations in the motor cortex and cerebellum.
Main Results:
- Male mice exposed to poly I:C exhibited more severe deficits in social interaction, motor development, and coordination compared to females.
- Reduced Purkinje cell numbers in the cerebellum and motor cortex neurons were more pronounced in males.
- Females demonstrated a greater resilience to the developmental effects of MIA.
Conclusions:
- Sex differences exist in susceptibility to MIA-induced ASD-like behaviors and neuroanatomical changes.
- Females appear to possess a protective mechanism against developmental insults leading to ASD.
- The cerebellum and motor cortex are key brain regions affected by MIA, offering potential targets for managing ASD-related motor and social impairments.
Abstract:
Infections during gestation and the consequent maternal immune activation (MIA) increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders in infants and throughout life, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects three times more males than females and is mainly characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted interests. Consistent findings also indicate that ASD patients suffer from movement disorders, although these symptoms are not yet considered as diagnosis criteria. Here we used the double-stranded RNA analog polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) MIA animal model of ASD in mice and explored its effects in males and females on social and motor behavior. We then investigated brain areas implicated in controlling and coordinating movements, namely the nigro-striatal pathway, motor cortex and cerebellum. We show that male mice are more affected by this treatment than females as they show reduced social interactions as well as motor development and coordination deficits. Reduced numbers of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum was found more widespread and within distinct lobules in males than in females. Moreover, a reduced number of neurons was found in the motor cortex of males only. These results suggest that females are better protected against developmental insults leading to ASD symptoms in mice. They also point to brain areas that may be targeted to better manage social and motor consequences of ASD.
Related Concept Videos
01:31Active versus Passive Immunity
Active Immunity
Active immunity refers to the resistance one develops...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:43Sex-linked Disorders
01:38What is the Immune System?
02:55Temperature Dependence on Reaction Rate
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
01:36Humoral Immune Responses