Topic: neuroimmune dysfunction

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) leads to immune system dysfunction and increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. To explore potential mechanisms by which PAE induces neuroimmune dysfunction, the current study examined the impact of PAE on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR7/8 activation. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups: PAE - liquid ethanol diet ad libitum, and CON - pelleted control diet ad libitum. Male and female offspring were challenged in adulthood with LPS (40 µg/kg; activates TLR4), R848 (1 mg/kg; activates TLR7/8), or DMSO (vehicle), followed by brain sample collect