Manipulation of maternal CXCL12 and excessive dietary fat intake changes offspring behavior

Authors: Khadiza Nilima, Samy Charradi, Gabrielle Lam, Kinning Poon

SUNY Campus: SUNY Old Westbury

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 50

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: Prenatal exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) influences hypothalamic development, ingestive and emotional behaviors in offspring, and may be exerted through chemokine CXCL12. Prenatal HFD increases circulating CXCL12 levels in dams and upregulates its receptors in offspring's paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Prenatal CXCL12 administration mimics HFD effects, stimulating neurogenesis and enkephalin expression in PVN while increasing anxiety-like behaviors. These findings implicate CXCL12 in PVN as a mediator of prenatal HFD's effects on enkephalinergic neurons and emotional regulation. This study investigates CXCL12's role on hypothalamic development and behaviors by using CXCL12-neutralizing antibody to block HFD effects. Rat dams were given HFD or HFD paired with intraperitoneal injections of CXCL12-antibody during hypothalamic development. Blood was collected and analyzed for CXCL12 levels in dams and postnatal day 0 (P0) offspring. Results reveal decreased CXCL12 levels in dams injected with antibody while HFD dams had increased levels. CXCL12 levels in P0 offspring were undetectable, suggesting maternal manipulation of CXCL12 is responsible for brain development changes. Postnatal behavioral measurements show sex-specific differences in both groups. Findings provide evidence that maternal HFD-induced change in CXCL12 signaling affects hypothalamic development and emotional behaviors in offspring.