GUT-BRAIN AXIS IN DEVELOPMENT
Cell death peaks around the time of birth in several brain regions of the mouse. In addition, preliminary data show that natural (vaginal) birth might be important for the normal course of cell death because Cesarean born mice have decreased cell death in several brain regions compared to vaginally born mice. Birth entails a dramatic entry to the world and, in preparation, key peripheral organs (e.g., lungs, gut, and heart) undergo physiological changes. We hypothesize that birth is also an important event in brain development, for example, by triggering cell death. In this project, we are studying how birth influences cell death in the brain by manipulating the timing or mode of birth in mice. We are also interested in identifying mechanisms underlying cell death at birth, as well as exploring additional effects of birth on brain development and behavior.
PUBLISHED WORK
The microbiota influences cell death and microglial colonization in the perinatal mouse brain
January 2018
Castillo-Ruiz, A, Mosley, MM, George, AG, et al. Brain Beh Immunology. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.08.027
Effects of gut-derived endotoxin on anxiety-like and repetitive behaviors in male and female mice
January 2018
Fields, CT, Chassaing, B, Castillo-Ruiz, A, et al. Biol Sex Differences. doi: 10.1186/s13293-018-0166-x.
Vasopressin deletion is associated with sex-specific shifts in the gut microbiome
January 2018
Fields CT, Chassaing, B, Paul, MJ, et al. Gut microbes. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2017.1356557.