Maternal autism-associated IgG antibodies delay development and produce anxiety in a mouse gestational transfer model

J Neuroimmunol. 2012 Nov 15;252(1-2):56-65. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2012.08.002. Epub 2012 Aug 27.

Abstract

A murine passive transfer model system was employed to ascertain the effects of gestational exposure to a single, intravenous dose of purified, brain-reactive IgG antibodies from individual mothers of children with autism (MAU) or mothers with typically developing children (MTD). Growth and behavioral outcomes in offspring were measured from postnatal days 8 to 65 in each group. Comparisons revealed alterations in early growth trajectories, significantly impaired motor and sensory development, and increased anxiety. This report demonstrates for the first time the effects of a single, low dose gestational exposure of IgG derived from individual MAU on their offspring's physical and social development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anxiety / immunology
  • Autistic Disorder / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / administration & dosage*
  • Autoantibodies / immunology
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Brain / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Growth and Development / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / administration & dosage*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mothers
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / immunology*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Autoantigens
  • Immunoglobulin G