Placental Immune Failure in Males Linked to Autism Risk in New Mouse Study
A new study from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory identifies a specific placental mechanism that may explain why autism spectrum disorder (ASD) disproportionately affects males. Researchers found that maternal immune activation during a critical 24-hour window at embryonic day 12.5 in mice causes developmental abnormalities exclusively in male fetuses. This vulnerability stems from damage to spongiotrophoblasts, specialized placental cells that maintain immune tolerance between mother and fetus. The findings suggest that male embryos may express unique proteins that trigger adverse maternal immune responses, while female fetuses possess intrinsic protective mechanisms that preserve placental integrity. This research shifts the focus from the brain to the placental interface as a primary gateway for neurodevelopmental risk.