Modeling maternal immune activation in 3D ex vivo human fetal brain cerebroids reveals IL-17A-driven disruption of cortical development.

IL-17A causes premature cortical folding, increased cortical thickness, and accelerated neurogenesis in human fetal brain cerebroids.

• Why it matters: Understanding how maternal immune activation impacts human cortical development is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms behind neurodevelopmental disorders.
• What they did: Researchers developed 'cerebroids,' 3D ex vivo cultures from human fetal cortex, and exposed them to IL-17A to observe effects on development and underlying pathways.
• The result: IL-17A dysregulates extracellular-matrix pathways and activates NF-κB signaling in neural stem cells, with effects reversible by NF-κB inhibitor parthenolide, revealing mechanisms of brain disruption during MIA.