Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41750127›Full record

ArticleBrain sciences2026

Maternal Poly (I:C)-Induced Placental Inflammation and Endocrine Dysfunction Are Associated with Disrupted Corticogenesis in Mouse Offspring.

Catherine Zhou, Callan Baldwin, Shuying Lin, Aaron Hayes, Kathleen Carter, Lir-Wan Fan, Abhay Bhatt, Yi Pang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Brain sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Catherine ZhouSummer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Callan BaldwinSummer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.ORCID 0009-0006-7359-354X
Shuying LinDepartment of Physical Therapy, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Aaron HayesSummer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Kathleen CarterDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-1016-0019
Lir-Wan FanDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
Abhay BhattDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-9928-4036
Yi PangDepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.ORCID 0000-0003-0453-6921

Funding

University of Mississippi Medical Center Rhodes-Cai Research Award from the Department of Pediatrics
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesMaternal immune activation (MIA) increases the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Experimental models demonstrate that maternal exposure to bacterial endotoxin or the viral mimic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid [poly (I:C)] reliably recapitulates ASD-like behavioral abnormalities in offspring, yet the underlying neurobiological mechanisms linking MIA to altered neurodevelopment remain incompletely understood. Increasing evidence highlights the placenta as a critical mediator in shaping fetal brain development through immunological and hormonal regulation. Likewise, disruption of placental regulatory functions upon MIA may therefore represent a mechanistic pathway. Here, we investigated how alterations in placental cytokine profiles, innate immune cell composition, and endocrine outputs relate to neuroinflammation and neurogenesis in the offspring.

methodsPregnant mice at gestational day 12.5 received a single intraperitoneal injection of poly (I:C). Placental macrophages, neutrophils, inflammatory cytokines, and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression were examined 72 h later. Neurodevelopmental outcomes, including microglial activity and neurogenic markers, were evaluated in mouse offspring at postnatal day (P) 1 and 6.

resultsMIA induced a significant accumulation of monocytes and neutrophils in the placenta, which was associated with elevated levels of a broad spectrum of inflammatory mediators, including Th17-biased proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion proteins, in the placenta and amniotic fluid. In contrast, the placenta-derived NGF levels were significantly reduced. MIA induced strong and sustained microglial activation in the fetal and neonatal brain. This inflammatory milieu was accompanied by disrupted cortical neurogenesis, characterized by a marked increase in Ki67+ neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) in the subventricular zone (SVZ), overproduction of early-born Tbr1+ neurons at P1, later-born Satb2+ neurons at P6.

conclusionsCollectively, these findings suggest that heightened Th17 inflammatory signaling, coupled with impaired placental endocrine function, contributes to dysregulated cortical neurogenesis in the offspring.

Indexed as

autism spectrum disorderneural progenitor cellsneurogenesisneuroinflammationproliferation

Identifiers

PMID41750127
PMCPMC12937977

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