Crawford, Dorota AnnaBestard Lorigados, Isabel2019-11-222019-11-222019-082019-11-22http://hdl.handle.net/10315/36803Abnormal levels of the fetal hemoglobin isoform Hbb- and the adult isoforms Hbb- and Hba- have been found in the prenatal male brain of our mouse model lacking prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) producing enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2-knockout). Dysregulations of the COX2/PGE2 pathway has also been linked to autism. In this study, we use quantitative Real-Time PCR, western blots, and immunohistochemistry to investigate the expression of Hba-, Hbb-, and Hbb- in the brain of COX2-knockin (COX2-KI) mice. Overall, gene expression was affected in a sex-dependent manner and by deficits of the COX2/PGE2 pathway. Protein expression analysis also revealed sex-dependent changes and differences for the COX2-KI animals. Interestingly, regional expression analysis showed a distinct pattern of Hbb- in the white matter, whereas Hba- and Hbb- were expressed in the grey matter. These results add new knowledge about the involvement of COX2/PGE2 pathway in the regulation of hemoglobin in the brain with implications for autism.Author owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.NeurosciencesElectronic Thesis or Dissertation2019-11-22Autismlipid signalingprostaglandin E2hemoglobinneurodevelopmentgene expressionprotein expressionregional localizationhemoglobin alphahemoglobin betahemoglobin gamma