Gene expression profile on pons and medulla of maternal immune activation model rat

We created two-hit immune activation model by inducing a pseudo-bacterial infection (administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) on postnatal (P) 11 in pups born to rats infected with a pseudo-virus (administration of polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid (poly I:C)) during pregnancy of day 10. Our model rats showed increased mortality rate due to LPS administration on P11 and abnormal blood biochemical test results. Next, we examined the gene expression in pons and medulla oblongata of our model rats on P11 by DNA microarray and found that a number of genes showed more than a 2-fold change in expression. Pregnant Wistar rat was injected intrapenitorially 10 mg/kg poly I:C or PBS at GD10. On P11, we administered 0.25 mg/kg LPS or PBS to male pups. After 4 hours, pons and medulla were collected.