FIGURE 1.

Prevailing mouse model of maternal immune activation. Maternal inflammation can be induced during various periods of gestation via immunogenic or environmental stimuli. Characteristic immunogens used that elicit an acute, innate immune response include influenza strain A or B, poly I:C (high- or low-molecular weight) and LPS. Environmental stimuli typically used include high-fat diet regimens, social stress paradigms or restraint stress. Despite the nature of the stimulus itself, both converge on the same molecular mechanism that evokes maternal immune activation. Pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and/or damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are generated which activate various toll-like receptors (TLRs) that promote the transcription of several inflammatory genes; ultimately leading to perpetual cytokine and chemokine secretion within the maternal milieu. Created with BioRender.com.