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Early maternal separation leads to down-regulation of cytokine gene expression

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Abstract

Exposure to stressors may lead to subsequent alterations in the immune response. The precise mechanisms underlying such vulnerability are poorly understood, but may be hypothesized to include changes in cytokine systems. Maternal separation was used as a model of exposure to early life stressors. Subsequent cytokine gene expression was studied using a cytokine gene expression array. Maternal separation resulted in significant down-regulation of the expression of 6 cytokine genes; chemokine ligand 7, chemokine receptor 4, interleukin 10, interleukin-1beta, interleukin 5 receptor alpha and integrin alpha M. Specific cytokines may be involved in mediating the effects of early adversity on subsequent immunosuppression. Further work is needed to delineate fully the relationship between early adversity, immune alterations, and behavioural changes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Centre for Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) at the University of Cape Town for analysis of the brain tissue.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to J. J. Dimatelis.

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Dimatelis, J.J., Pillay, N.S., Mutyaba, A.K. et al. Early maternal separation leads to down-regulation of cytokine gene expression. Metab Brain Dis 27, 393–397 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-012-9304-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-012-9304-z

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