IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Sex-Dependent Immune Dysregulation and Neurodevelopmental Risk in Maternal Substance Use

Sex-Dependent Immune Dysregulation and Neurodevelopmental Risk in Maternal Substance Use

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Video Summary

The study examined how maternal substance use during pregnancy affects maternal and fetal immunity and fetal brain development. In 17 substance-use cases and 48 controls, researchers analyzed maternal blood, cord blood, and placenta-related immune cells using flow cytometry, cytokine profiling, monocyte stimulation, and a placenta-derived microglia model. They found increased pro-inflammatory CD4 and CD8 T cells in both mothers and newborns, indicating immune activation. Cord blood showed stronger inflammatory changes than maternal blood, suggesting the placenta may be especially sensitive. Monocytes showed signs of exhaustion after stimulation. In a microglia synaptic pruning assay, no overall difference appeared, but sex-specific effects emerged: male fetuses showed reduced pruning, while female fetuses showed increased pruning. These patterns may raise neurodevelopmental risk differently by sex. The authors conclude that fetal sex should be considered when assessing risk and designing interventions.

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Date April 19, 2026 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Room 153 AB

Session Primary Immune Deficiency and Immune Dysregulation

Speaker Daehee Han

Track Immune Mechanisms of Human Disease (HUM)

Year 2026

Keywords

maternal substance use

fetal immunity

placental immune response

microglia synaptic pruning

sex-specific neurodevelopmental risk

April 19, 2026 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM

153 AB

Primary Immune Deficiency and Immune Dysregulation

Daehee Han

Immune Mechanisms of Human Disease (HUM)

2026