Scott NM, Wyroll C, Strickland DH
During pregnancy, maternal exposure to microbial pathogens is frequently associated with exaggerated inflammatory responses and accompanying acute symptoms, and in some cases follow-on effects ranging from fetal death, to premature birth and growth restriction in the offspring. Additionally, these inflammatory responses can program an infant for enhanced risk for a range of chronic diseases and developmental problems in later life. The exact mechanisms associated with such developmental programming remain largely unknown but have been linked to perturbations in the developing immune system. There is compelling evidence that the immune and nervous systems are in constant communication, and the peripheral immune system is now considered to have a major role in determining neuronal connectivity, spatial learning, and social behavior. Our earlier work has demonstrated the potential use of an immune modulating agent (OM85) as a preventive strategy for attenuation of microbial infection induced inflammation in the pregnant mother, and protection against fetal growth restriction. This project aims to explore the relationship between maternal inflammation, fetal health and immune development and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Our hypothesis is that attenuation of maternal inflammatory responses during pregnancy via treatment with OM85 will promote normal immunological development. This in turn will promote normal neurological development in the fetus and offspring, preventing neurodevelopmental disorders.
Lay Summary
Women often experience worsening disease symptoms to viral infections during pregnancy. The exaggerated inflammatory responses in the mother to infection can also affect the health of the growing fetus. Infection during pregnancy has been linked to increased mortality, early delivery, low birth weight, perturbed immune development, slow postnatal growth and development and an increased risk of developing a range of chronic diseases and developmental problems in later life. This study will identify how the immune system contributes to neurodevelopmental outcomes and will investigate the use of an agent derived from traditional medicines as a preventive strategy.
This research is funded by a seed funding grant through the early environment RFA, The Kids Research Institute Australia.