Identifying Placental Markers of Schizophrenia in Gestational THC-exposed Offspring
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with dysregulated placental gene expression tied to an increased risk of schizophrenia (SCZ). In rat offspring, it has been demonstrated that prenatal THC exposure results in FGR and SCZ-like phenotypes. However, it is unknown whether THC can induce placental gene expression associated with SCZ. It was hypothesized that established predictive markers of SCZ would be altered in preclinical models of gestational THC exposure. Offspring exposed to prenatal THC were found to have reduced birth weight and altered expression of SCZ-associated genes in the placenta and the adult brain. A subset of the genes altered in the rodent placenta were found to be changed in BeWo cells and cerebral organoids after THC exposure. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that prenatal THC exposure can alter gene expression in established placental markers of SCZ in animal and human models, suggesting a connection between early THC exposure and SCZ.