Deletion of TLR-4 attenuates fetal alcohol exposure-induced gene expression and social interaction deficits.

ABSTRACT: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are associated with social interaction behavior and gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities. These abnormal behaviors and GI abnormalities overlap with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We investigated the effect of fetal alcohol exposure (FAE) on social interaction deficits (hallmark of autism) in mice. Evidence indicates that exogenous lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration during gestation induces autism-like behavior in the offspring. LPS regulates the expression of genes underlying differentiation, immune function, myelination, and synaptogenesis in fetal brain by the LPS receptor, TLR-4-dependent mechanism. In this study, we evaluated the role of TLR-4 in FAE-induced social behavior deficit. WT and TLR4^-/- pregnant mice were fed Lieber-De

SUBMITTER: Shukla PK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6193854 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature