Effects of early-life adversity on immune function are mediated by prenatal environment: Role of prenatal alcohol exposure

• Published in: Brain, behavior, and immunity behavior, and immunity, 2017-11, Vol.66, p.210-220
• Main Authors: Raineki, Charlis, Bodnar, Tamara S., Holman, Parker J., Baglot, Samantha L., Lan, Ni, Weinberg, Joanne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amygdala; Amygdala - immunology; Amygdala - metabolism; Animals; C-reactive protein; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Cytokines; Cytokines - blood; Early-life adversity; Ethanol - administration & dosage; Female; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - metabolism; Male; Maternal Behavior; Pregnancy; Prenatal alcohol exposure; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - chemically induced; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - immunology; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - metabolism; Rat; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Stress, Psychological - immunology; Stress, Psychological - metabolism; Vocalization, Animal
• ISSN: 0889-1591; 1090-2139
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.07.001

•Insufficient bedding did not differentially alter maternal behavior in PAE compared to control dams.•PAE pups vocalized less than controls when exposed to early-life adversity.•Early-life adversity reduced serum cytokine levels in control but not PAE pups.•PAE increased serum CRP, and levels were even higher in pups exposed to adversity.•PAE reduced KC/GRO and increased IL-10 levels in the amygdala. The contribution of the early postnatal environment to the pervasive effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is poorly understood. Moreover, PAE often carries increased risk of exposure to adversity/stress during early life. Dysregulation of immune function may play a role in how pre- and/or postnatal adversity/stress alters brain development. Here, we combine two animal models to examine whether PAE differentially increases vulnerability to immune dysregulation in response to early-life adversity. PAE and control litters were exposed to either limited bedding (postnatal day [PN] 8-12) to model early-life adversity or normal bedding, and maternal behavior and pup vocalizations were recorded. Peripheral (serum) and central (amygdala) immune (cytokines and C-reactive protein – CRP) responses of PAE animals to early-life adversity were evaluated at PN12. Insufficient bedding increased negative maternal behavior in both groups. Early-life adversity increased vocalization in all animals; however, PAE pups vocalized less than controls. Early-life adversity reduced serum TNF-α, KC/GRO, and IL-10 levels in control but not PAE animals. PAE increased serum CRP, and levels were even higher in pups exposed to adversity. Finally, PAE reduced KC/GRO and increased IL-10 levels in the amygdala. Our results indicate that PAE alters immune system development and both behavioral and immune responses to early-life adversity, which could have subsequent consequences for brain development and later life health.