Controversies and prospects about microglia in maternal immune activation models for neurodevelopmental disorders.

Abstract

Activation of the maternal immune system during pregnancy is a well-established risk factor for neuropsychiatricdisease in the offspring, yet, the underlying mechanisms leading to altered brain function remain largely un-defined. Microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain, are key to adequate development of the centralnervous system (CNS), and are prime candidates to mediate maternal immune activation (MIA)-induced brainabnormalities. As such, the effects of MIA on the immunological phenotype of microglia has been widely in-vestigated. However, contradicting results due to differences in read-out and methodological approaches impedefinal conclusions on MIA-induced microglial alterations. The aim of this review is to critically discuss the evi-dence for an activated microglial phenotype upon MIA.