Pregnancy-induced maternal microchimerism shapes neurodevelopment and behavior in mice

Steven Schepanski, Mattia Chini, Veronika Sternemann, Christopher Urbschat, Kristin Thiele, Ting Sun, Yu Zhao, Mareike Poburski, Anna Woestemeier, Marie-Theres Thieme, Dimitra E. Zazara, Malik Alawi, Nicole Fischer, Joerg Heeren, Nikita Vladimirov, Andrew Woehler, Victor G. Puelles, Stefan Bonn, Nicola Gagliani, Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz () and Petra C. Arck ()
Additional contact information
Steven Schepanski: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Mattia Chini: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Veronika Sternemann: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Christopher Urbschat: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Kristin Thiele: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Ting Sun: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Yu Zhao: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Mareike Poburski: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Anna Woestemeier: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Marie-Theres Thieme: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Dimitra E. Zazara: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Malik Alawi: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Nicole Fischer: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Joerg Heeren: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Nikita Vladimirov: Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine
Andrew Woehler: Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine
Victor G. Puelles: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Stefan Bonn: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Nicola Gagliani: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Petra C. Arck: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Life-long brain function and mental health are critically determined by developmental processes occurring before birth. During mammalian pregnancy, maternal cells are transferred to the fetus. They are referred to as maternal microchimeric cells (MMc). Among other organs, MMc seed into the fetal brain, where their function is unknown. Here, we show that, in the offspring’s developing brain in mice, MMc express a unique signature of sensome markers, control microglia homeostasis and prevent excessive presynaptic elimination. Further, MMc facilitate the oscillatory entrainment of developing prefrontal-hippocampal circuits and support the maturation of behavioral abilities. Our findings highlight that MMc are not a mere placental leak out, but rather a functional mechanism that shapes optimal conditions for healthy brain function later in life.

Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32230-2

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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32230-2

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