TY - JOUR TI - Maternal T cell activation and postnatal neurobiological changes to staphylococcal enterotoxin A DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-7xe4-3j63 PY - 2021 AB - Maternal immune activation (MIA) is implicated in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and schizophrenia. MIA is induced by immune challenge during pregnancy and can cause long-term changes in the brain and behavior of offspring. Much of the literature is focused on induction of innate immune responses, despite the adaptive immune system being the main target for many immune threats, including Staphylococcus aureus. Prior studies revealed that treatment with the T cell superantigen, Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A, induces a maternal T-cell response in the adaptive immune system, and subsequent abnormalities in offspring behavior. Our objective is to use this model of MIA to assess whether these behavioral changes are linked to changes in microglial cell function or dendritic spine plasticity. We predict that microglia will have a hyperactive response to MIA, and dendritic spines will develop abnormally. If these effects are observed, the results would indicate the importance of an adaptive immunity model of MIA and its importance in early brain development. KW - Microglia KW - Psychology LA - English ER -