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Neuroanatomical anomalies in autoimmune mice
G F Sherman1, A M Galaburda, P O Behan
1Dyslexia Research Laboratory, Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215.
Acta Neuropathologica
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Certain autoimmune mouse strains and hybrids exhibit brain anomalies, specifically ectopic neurons in the cerebral cortex. This suggests maternal autoantibodies may damage the developing fetal brain, offering models for dyslexia research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Autoimmune diseases can affect multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system.
- Previous research identified ectopic neurons in the cerebral cortex of NZB mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of cerebral cortex pathology in various autoimmune mouse strains and their hybrids.
- To explore the potential role of maternal autoantibodies in the development of these brain anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of the cerebral cortex in NZB, BXSB, MRL autoimmune strains, their crosses, and control mice.
- Replication of previous findings in NZB mice and extension of observations to BXSB and hybrid strains.
Main Results:
- Ectopic collections of neurons in cortical layer I were confirmed in NZB mice and observed in BXSB mice and BXSB/NZB and MRL/NZB hybrids.
- The MRL strain showed a lower incidence of brain anomalies compared to other autoimmune strains.
- These findings indicate that brain anomalies are present in several, but not all, autoimmune mouse models.
Conclusions:
- Specific autoimmune mouse strains and their hybrids develop cerebral cortex anomalies.
- Maternal autoantibodies crossing the placenta are hypothesized to cause fetal brain damage in susceptible autoimmune strains.
- These autoimmune models may serve as valuable tools for studying the developmental origins of brain anomalies, potentially including those seen in human dyslexia.