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Data from: Offspring behavioral outcomes following maternal allergic asthma in the IL-4-deficient mouse

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Feb 09, 2024 version files 70.50 KB
Apr 09, 2024 version files 76.21 KB

Abstract

Background: Maternal allergies and asthma during pregnancy have been associated with increased risk of ASD and ADHD to the child. Previous rodent studies have demonstrated that inducing a T helper-2 (Th2)-mediated allergic response during pregnancy leads to an offspring behavioral phenotype characterized by decreased social interaction and increased stereotypies. Interleukin-4 is a key signal in the Th2 immune cascade, but its role in fetal brain development and subsequent impacts of maternal allergic asthma (MAA) on offspring behavioral deficits have yet to be determined.

Objective: In this study, we investigated whether the absence of IL-4 signaling would mitigate MAA-induced behavioral changes.

Methods: C57BL/6J and Interleukin-4 knockout (IL-4 KO) mice were sensitized to ovalbumin and exposed to repeated allergic asthma aerosol inductions throughout pregnancy. Offspring were assessed on Juvenile Reciprocal Social Interaction, Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field Exploration, Novel Object Recognition, Forced Swim, Marble-burying, and Grooming tasks.

Results: MAA during pregnancy resulted in decreased social interactions in male C57 offspring and impaired memory performance in both male and female C57 mice. These deficits were not observed in IL-4 KO mice exposed to MAA. However, we observed genotype effects in IL-4 KO mice including altered motor performance and anxiety-associated responses.

Conclusion: MAA-induced social and cognitive behavioral alterations are IL-4 dependent. IL-4KO offspring display genotype-specific differences suggesting IL-4 signaling is important for typical developmental processes.