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Prenatal and postnatal neuroimmune interactions in neurodevelopmental disorders

Nature Immunology volume 25, pages 598–606 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

The intricate relationship between immune dysregulation and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) has been observed across the stages of both prenatal and postnatal development. In this Review, we provide a comprehensive overview of various maternal immune conditions, ranging from infections to chronic inflammatory conditions, that impact the neurodevelopment of the fetus during pregnancy. Furthermore, we examine the presence of immunological phenotypes, such as immune-related markers and coexisting immunological disorders, in individuals with NDDs. By delving into these findings, we shed light on the potential underlying mechanisms responsible for the high occurrence of immune dysregulation alongside NDDs. We also discuss current mouse models of NDDs and their contributions to our understanding of the immune mechanisms underlying these diseases. Additionally, we discuss how neuroimmune interactions contribute to shaping the manifestation of neurological phenotypes in individuals with NDDs while also exploring potential avenues for mitigating these effects.

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Fig. 1: Potential interactions between neurological and immunological phenotypes in MIA offspring.

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Acknowledgements

E.K. was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (RS-2023-00209464), the Technology Innovation Program (20023378) funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE, Korea), and a Korea University grant (K2225821). J.R.H. was supported by the Jeongho Kim Neurodevelopmental Research Fund, the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative and a National Institute of Mental Health grant (R01MH119459). G.B.C. was supported by a National Institute of Mental Health grant (R01MH115307), The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative, The JPB Foundation, The Carol and Gene Ludwig Family Foundation and The Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Eunha Kim

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Eunha Kim

  3. Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Jun R. Huh

  4. The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Gloria B. Choi

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E.K. wrote the initial draft, conceptualized the figures and revised the manuscript. J.R.H. edited and enhanced the manuscript. G.B.C. supervised the writing and edited the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Eunha Kim or Gloria B. Choi.

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E.K. declares no competing interests. J.R.H. and G.B.C. are consultants for CJ Cheiljedang and Interon laboratories.

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Kim, E., Huh, J.R. & Choi, G.B. Prenatal and postnatal neuroimmune interactions in neurodevelopmental disorders. Nat Immunol 25, 598–606 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-024-01797-x

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