Neonatal inflammation induces lasting sex- and region-dependent microglia activation and sex-dependent impairments in chemoreflexes
Abstract
Neonatal inflammation is common, yet our understanding of the mechanisms underlying impairment is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that adult medullary microglia sex- and region-specifically contribute to lasting adult inflammation after neonatal inflammation. Sex-specific activation of adult medullary microglia emphasizes that distinct inflammatory mechanisms underlie male versus female impairments in respiratory control after neonatal inflammation. Such lasting microglia activation likely contributes to abolished adult respiratory motor plasticity and chemoreflexes after neonatal inflammation.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
Neonatal and fetal brain pathology
Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Applied Physiology
- Volume
- 140
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 451–468
- Publication date
- 8 January 2026
- Language
- EN