2. Academic Validation
  3. Prenatal electroacupuncture modulates maternal-fetal immune activation via a brain-to-splenic signal

Prenatal electroacupuncture modulates maternal-fetal immune activation via a brain-to-splenic signal

  • Cell Rep. 2025 Nov 25;44(11):116576. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116576.
Zhiqing Zhang 1,  Weipeng Lin 2,  Jinglan Yan 3,  Xiaotong Wang 4,  Jingya Wang 5,  Feixue Wang 3,  Teng He 3,  Jing Xu 5,  Yucen Xia 6,  Yongjun Chen 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China; South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Acupuncture Research Team, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China; Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510120, China.
  • 2 Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Precision Optics, Chongqing Institute of East China Normal University, Chongqing 401120, China.
  • 3 Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China.
  • 4 School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China.
  • 5 South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China.
  • 6 Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China; Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 7 Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China; South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 510006, China; Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41259207 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.116576
Abstract

Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy is a major risk factor for adverse obstetric outcomes and neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring; yet the underlying mechanisms and effective interventions are not well established. Here, we identify a pivotal role of α7nAChR (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor)-mediated activation in splenic macrophages, which triggers an interleukin-6-driven inflammatory cascade, affecting the disruption of maternal-fetal immune balance. This process contributes to miscarriage, diminished neonatal survival, and long-term neuropsychiatric deficits in adulthood. We further identified that the paraventricular nucleus-vagus-α7nAChR-spleen circuit is a central regulator for gestational neuroimmune homeostasis. Prenatal electroacupuncture stimulation (ES) modulates macrophage activation and immune equilibrium at the maternal-fetal interface by engaging these circuits, improving perinatal outcomes, and mitigating neurodevelopmental impairments in offspring. These findings position the brain-spleen axis as a promising therapeutic target and support prenatal ES as a viable non-pharmacological strategy for preventing MIA-related complications.

Keywords

CP: immunology; CP: neuroscience research topic; electroacupuncture; macrophage; maternal immune activation; schizophrenia; vagus nerve.

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