Maternal alloimmune reactions towards the murine conceptus and graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR). II. Inhibition of priming by placental extracts

Gestation can induce a priming for a GVHR towards paternal strain antigens, although this priming is significantly lower than the one induced by experimental immunization. A role has been sought for placental substances in decreasing this priming through immunomodulation. BALB/c (H-2d) spleen cells do not usually induce a systemic, lethal GVHR in DBA/2 (H-2d) newborn mice except when the donors are preimmunized with DBA/2 cells. Placental extracts (as well as RPMI medium or liver extracts used as controls) were added to DBA/2 cells injected into BALB/c mice used as cell donors for GVH induction. The latter's spleen cells, harvested on day 6 after immunization, were used for systemic and local GVHR. In the systemic assay (lethal effect on DBA/2 newborn mice injected i.v. with BALB/c spleen cells) a significant protection was observed. In the local assay (popliteal lymph node assay in F1 hybrids injected with BALB/c spleen cells into the foot-pad) a highly significant inhibition of priming was detected in recipients injected with spleen cells from placental extract-treated donors. The stimulation index was even lower than that obtained with unprimed BALB/c spleen cells. The same type of local GVHR in (CBA/Ca X A/J) F1 hybrids injected with CBA cells led to similar results. In both situations (systemic and local GVHR) the observed inhibition was found to be specific to the priming cell strain. These results support the working hypothesis that placental substances are able to modify the systemic response of an organism towards both H-2 and non-H-2 alloantigens.     

Allogeneic reactivity of maternal lymphoid cells during the course of gestation. Modifications and sex differences in a local GVH assay

The immune reactivity of lymphoid cells from pregnant mice was studied during the course of pregnancy in primiparous and multiparous animals either " isopregnant " (male and female of same strain) or " allopregnant " (male and female differing at H-2), using a local GVH assay (CBA lymphoid cells injected into (CBA X A/J)F1 recipients). The findings were as follows: The lymphoid cell number in the para-aortic lymph nodes ( PALN ) was increased at all stages of gestation. The peak occurred in the 2nd week in primiparity and as early as 60 h after fertilization in multiparity. PALN cell alloreactivity was weak at the beginning and higher than normal in the third week of pregnancy. Spleen cell alloreactivity was increased in the second week and decreased in the third week in primiparous compared with multiparous animals. Anti-paternal alloreactivity exhibited by spleen cells of allogestation was decreased (as compared to cells of isogestation ) especially in primiparous mice, particularly in the third week. At this time, the anti-paternal alloreactivity of PALN cells was increased. The influence of the recipient's sex on GVHR intensity was reversed when the cells were obtained from a pregnant donor, becoming stronger in male compared with female hybrids.     

妊娠早期阻断协同刺激分子诱导自然流产模型孕鼠脾脏细胞母-胎免疫耐受的研究

目的　探讨阻断协同刺激分子———CD80 和CD86对自然流产模型孕鼠妊娠结局及孕鼠脾脏免疫细胞对父系抗原免疫耐受状态的影响。方法　将雌性小鼠 (CBA/J)分别与BALB/c及DBA/2两种雄性小鼠合笼交配 ,分别建立正常妊娠模型CBA/J×BALB/c( 2 0只 ,对照组 )和自然流产模型CBA/J×DBA/2 ( 2 0只 ,研究组 )。CBA/J小鼠于妊娠第 4天 (着床期 )腹腔分别注射大鼠同型IgG 0 2mg( 10只 ) ,或大鼠抗小鼠CD80 和CD86单克隆抗体 ( 10只 )。妊娠第 9天 ,采用单向混合淋巴细胞反应 ,分析孕鼠脾脏免疫细胞对父系抗原的增殖能力 ,并测定细胞培养上清液中白细胞介素 2(IL 2 )水平 ,以研究脾脏细胞母 胎免疫耐受状态 ;妊娠第 14天观察两组的胚胎吸收率。结果　 ( 1)研究组中 ,腹腔注射大鼠IgG的孕鼠胚胎吸收率为 2 4 3% ,而注射大鼠抗小鼠CD80 和CD86单克隆抗体的孕鼠胚胎吸收率为 9 8% ,两者比较 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 0 5 )。 ( 2 )应用大鼠抗小鼠CD80 和CD86单克隆抗体 ,使妊娠 9d的孕鼠脾脏免疫细胞对父系抗原的增殖能力及IL 2水平显著下降(P <0 0 5 )。结论　孕早期阻断协同刺激分子 ,可诱导产生孕鼠脾脏免疫细胞对父系抗原的免疫耐受 ,从而使自然流产模型孕鼠的妊娠结局达到正常妊娠水平。     

Influence of immunization with allogeneic spleen cells on the number of viable neonates in mice

Female CBA/J (H-2k) mice mated with male DBA/2J (H-2d) mice show a high level of fetal resorption, which can be reduced by immunization with BALB/c (H-2d) spleen cells. The morphologically defined fetal resorption rate upon which evaluation of the outcome of pregnancy has previously been based in this strain combination is not equivalent to the rate of production of viable neonates.     

Reduction in popliteal lymph node graft-versus-host reactivity by homologous and heterologous pregnancy serum

The popliteal lymph node assay was used to investigate the effect of pregnancy on graft-versus-host reactivity (GvHR) of mouse spleen cells. After local injection of splenocytes from primiparous syngeneically pregnant (by BALB/cJ males) or allogeneically pregnant (by CBA/Ca males) mice no differences in lymph node weight gain were observed in F1 recipients (CBA/Ca x BALB/cJ) when compared to injections of cells from age-matched non-pregnant BALB/cJ mice. However, lymphocytes of pregnant BALB/cJ females which had previously been pregnant between 4 and 6 times by CBA/Ca males induced a significantly lower GvHR compared to cells of matched non-pregnant multiparous mice. These results suggested an inhibitory effect of gestation on cells possibly primed towards paternal antigens by multiple pregnancies. To test this hypothesis, virgin BALB/cJ mice were actively immunized with lymphocytes of male CBA/Ca mice. Before injection into F1 recipients, spleen cells of immunized animals were incubated for 1 h at 37 degrees C in heat-inactivated serum of primiparous pregnant or virgin non-pregnant mice. Pre-incubation in pregnancy serum had no effect on unprimed cells, but GvHR of cells derived from immunized donors was significantly depressed in female recipients. In male animals this effect was only irregularly observed. Inhibition of GvHR was also observed with serum from pregnant but not non-pregnant pigs. Depression of cellular immune response was observed as early as days 4-9 post-coitum (p.c.) with mouse serum and days 16-19 p.c. with pig serum. These results indicate that pregnancy serum contains factor(s) which modulates the GvHR of primed lymphocytes in both a species- and an antigen-non-specific manner while reactivity of naive spleen cells is not changed.     

An in vitro and in vivo analysis of murine immunocompetence during pregnancy and lactation

Spleen cells from pregnant and lactating BALB/c mice were depressed in their cytolytic capabilities after in vivo immunization with the allogeneic EL4 lymphoma. However, in vitro spleen cells from both syngeneic (BALB/c X BALB/c) and allogeneic (BALB/c X C57BL/6J) matings responded with proliferative and cytolytic responses which were comparable to virgin controls. Upon secondary in vitro stimulation, in vivo primed maternal cells had responses which were similar to virgin controls. In addition, the in vivo sensitized maternal spleen cells adoptively immunized in irradiated allogeneic recipients responded like the virgin controls. In these studies, suppressor cells could not be detected in either nonimmune or immune maternal spleen cell populations.     

Maternal immunoregulation: interrelationship between alloreactive and anti-self plus conventional antigen T sets of cells

In a previous paper we reported early immunoregulatory mechanisms involving not only the appearance of progressive suppression but also significant increases in alloreactive T levels in paraaortic lymph nodes (PALN) and spleen, not only in allogeneic but also in syngeneic pregnancies. Taking into account the hypothesis of the superposition of the alloreactive and the anti-self plus conventional antigens T sets of cells, we investigated whether immunization with conventional antigens was able to alter alloreactive T levels. Weekly i.p. doses of rabbit red bloods cells (RRBC) in BALB/c mice resulted in a dose-dependent increase in spleen alloreactivity as determined by graft-versus-host (GvH) assays in strain combinations differing at H-2 level but not in those sharing the same H-2 with BALB/c. The increases could be significantly decreased by an anti-idiotype anti-RRBC serum. Pretreatment with i.p. weekly doses of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) before mating was able to induce dose-dependent fetal damage when the parents differed at the H-2 level. SRBC immunization in one of the uterine horns induced increases in PALN weight which were much higher in progesterone-pseudopregnant than in virgin mice; T alloreactivity was significantly increased in the draining PALN only in pseudopregnant females. These results favour the postulation of the superposition between the alloreactive and the anti-self plus conventional antigens T sets of cells and suggest a possible role for conventional fetal antigens (non H-2) in triggering immunoregulatory mechanisms operating in pregnancy.     

Immunological relationships between murine surrogate mothers and transplanted embryos, as studied by local GVH reactivity

C57BL/Ks (H-2d) female mice were transplanted with early (stage 2) embryos of the A/J (H-2a) strain. Spleens from mice exhibiting successful pregnancies were tested at days 16 to 19 of gestation in a local graft versus host (LGVH) assay using (C57BL/Ks X A/J)F1 recipients and proved to be significantly more reactive than virgin controls or mice carrying transplanted syngeneic fetuses. This increased reactivity was specific for the transplanted embryo's strain. Other controls included donors with semi-allogeneic (F1) transplanted fetuses and females naturally pregnant by allogeneic males which did not give reactions significantly different from virgin control spleen cells. Para-aortic lymph node cells (PALN) obtained from the same A/J embryo-transplanted females showed a strong T suppressive activity both on their own spleen cell (SC) reaction as well as on the reaction obtained with virgin SC. This suppressive activity also appeared to be embryo-strain specific. Serological tests revealed the presence of mast cell-degranulating (anaphylactic) antibodies but not of hemagglutinating or complement-fixing cytotoxic activities. The A/J offspring obtained after embryo transfer to C57BL/Ks females presented at the age of two months significantly lower LGVH reactivity against the surrogate mother's strain. The differences in the responsiveness of the mice transplanted with allogeneic embryos compared with those with conventional pregnancies are discussed.     

协同刺激分子CD86在母-胎免疫调节中的作用

目的　探讨协同刺激分子CD86在母 胎免疫调节中的作用。方法　建立自然流产模型(CBA×DBA/ 2 )及正常妊娠模型 (CBA×BALB/c)。两种模型分别再分为 3个组 :(1)以大鼠的IgG为对照的对照组 ;(2 )于妊娠第 4、6、8、10天 ,分别给CBA孕鼠腹腔注射大鼠抗小鼠CD86单克隆抗体的多次干预组 ;(3)仅于妊娠第 4天 ,给CBA孕鼠单次腹腔注射抗CD86单克隆抗体的单次干预组。每次腹腔注射的抗体剂量均为 10 0 μg。于妊娠第 14天计算各组胚胎吸收率。 结果　 (1)自然流产模型与正常妊娠模型的对照组胚胎吸收率分别为 2 7 78%和 8 42 %。 (2 )于妊娠第 4、6、8、10天腹腔注射抗CD86单克隆抗体后 ,自然流产模型的多次干预组胚胎吸收率下降至 9 6 8% (P <0 0 5 ) ;而正常妊娠模型的多次干预组胚胎吸收率上升至 13 5 4% (P >0 0 5 )。 (3)妊娠第 4天单次腹腔注射抗CD86单克隆抗体 ,自然流产模型单次干预组的胚胎吸收率下降至 7 14% (P <0 0 0 1) ;而正常妊娠模型单次干预组的胚胎吸收率上升至 11 39% (P >0 0 5 )。结论　妊娠早期 ,尤其在胚胎对母体的致敏阶段 (着床期 ) ,阻断母 胎界面的CD86协同刺激信号 ,将诱导母体对胚胎的免疫耐受 ,从而减少胚胎吸收 ,提高妊娠成功率     

IL-4与IL-10联合免疫对趋化因子受体CCR3、CCR5、CXCR3的选择性诱导对自然流产模型小鼠胚胎丢失率的影响

目的:观察IL-4与IL-10对趋化因子受体CCR3、CCR5和CXCR3的选择性诱导对自然流产模型小鼠胚胎丢失率的影响,探讨趋化因子受体CCR3、CCR5、CXCR3在诱导妊娠免疫耐受中的作用。方法:建立自然流产小鼠模型与正常妊娠小鼠模型,观察细胞因子IL-4与IL-10对CCR3、CCR5、CXCR3的选择性诱导作用,用双标记流式细胞分析技术,检测正常妊娠模型组孕鼠(CBA/J×BALB/c)、自然流产模型无干预组孕鼠(CBA/J×DBA/2)、自然流产模型IL-4免疫组孕鼠、自然流产模型IL-4+IL-10联合免疫组孕鼠和自然流产模型-生理盐水(NS)免疫组孕鼠中外周血CD4+T细胞CCR3、CCR5、CXCR3等3类趋化因子受体的表达率,并观察各组孕鼠胚胎丢失率。结果:(1)流产模型无干预组胚胎丢失率显著高于正常妊娠模型组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),IL-4免疫组、IL-4+IL-10联合免疫组胚胎丢失率皆明显低于NS组与流产模型无干预组(P<0.01,P<0.01);(2)自然流产模无干预组外周血CD4+T细胞CCR3表达水平明显低于正常妊娠模型组(P<0.01),而CCR5、CXCR3表达率明显高于正常妊娠模型组(P<0.01);转输IL-4、IL-4+IL-10后CCR3表达率明显上调、CXCR3表达率明显下降,均与流产模型无干预组差异有显著性(P<0.01)。此外,IL-4+IL-10联合免疫组外周血CD4+T细胞上CCR5表达率也明显低于流产模型无干预组(P<0.05),但IL-4免疫组与流产模型无干预组无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:CD4+T细胞上CCR3、CCR5、CXCR3表达异常可能在自然流产发病中起重要作用,细胞因子IL-4与IL-10联合作用可能通过诱导CCR3高表达,抑制CCR5与CXCR3表达来诱导妊娠免疫耐受,降低胚胎丢失率。     

过继转移FasL基因修饰的树突细胞对小鼠自然流产模型胚胎丢失的影响

目的:观察过继转移FasL基因修饰的树突细胞(DC)对小鼠自然流产模型胚胎丢失的影响,探讨它在诱导妊娠免疫耐受中的作用。方法:构建鼠源FasL(mFasL)真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-mFasL,用电转染法将它转染给DBA/2雄鼠骨髓来源的DC,将转染成功的mFasL-DC于交配前经腹腔注射给CBA/J母鼠。实验动物分为6组:(1)正常妊娠模型组(CBA/J×BALB/c);(2)未添加干预的流产模型组(CBA/J×DBA/2);(3)转输DC培养基(DCCM)的流产模型组;(4)转输单纯DC(DC)的流产模型组;(5)转输转染空质粒DC的流产模型组;(6)转输转染mFasL质粒DC的流产模型组,于妊娠第12~14天观察孕鼠胚胎丢失率。结果:转输mFasL-DC后孕鼠胚胎丢失率明显低于未添加干预或转输DC培养基的流产模型组(P<0.01),与转输单纯DC或带空质粒的DC组相比,其胚胎丢失率也明显下降(P<0.05),它与正常妊娠组相比胚胎丢失率无显著差异(P>0.05);转输单纯DC或空质粒的DC组与未添加干预流产模型组相比胚胎丢失率有所下降,但没有统计学差异;转输DC培养基组与未加干预组之间胚胎丢失率无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:过继转移mFasL-DC能诱导妊娠免疫耐受,降低小鼠自然流产模型孕鼠胚胎丢失率。     

Time-course analyses addressing the acquisition of DBA lectin reactivity in mouse lymphoid organs and uterus during the first week of pregnancy

Terminal differentiation of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells is induced in humans and mice at the time of endometrial decidualization. In mice, commitment to this lineage is first recognized at gestation day (gd)5.5 when small, non-granulated lymphocytes in the mesometrial decidua basalis become histochemically reactive with the lectin Dolichlos biflorus agglutinin (DBA). Transplantation experiments in mice have shown that the self-renewing progenitors of uNK cells are present in peripheral rather than uterine tissues. While lymphoid tissues of virgin mice lack DBA lectin reactive putative uNK cell precursors or progenitors, peripheral organs have not been systematically examined in female mice during early pregnancy while the uNK cell population is becoming established. Here we report such a study in gd0.5–7.5 random bred mice. Only mesenteric lymph nodes showed a transient gain in DBA lectin reactive lymphocytes between gd0.5 and 4.5. These cells had cytoplasmic but almost no surface DBA lectin reactivity. This study indicates that the decidual environment is unique and locally promotes DBA lectin surface expression in terminally differentiating uNK cells.     

Local active suppression and successful vaccination against spontaneous abortion in CBA/J mice

We report here that vaccination of CBA/J female mice with DBA/2 X BALB/c recombinant line that decreases the spontaneous abortion rate increases local active decidua-associated suppressor cell activity. In contrast, vaccination with a recombinant line that increases the abortion rate decreases suppressor cell activity. No correlation was seen between the effect on the abortion rate and the ability of cells from the fetoplacental unit to inhibit cytolysis by NK cells. Successful vaccination against spontaneous abortion may act primarily by augmenting suppressor cell activity in the decidua at the implantation site.     

干预CD86协同刺激信号对母胎界面Th1/Th2型细胞因子转录调控及妊娠结局的影响

目的探讨干预CD86协同刺激信号对母胎界面Th1/Th2型细胞因子转录调控及妊娠结局的影响。方法:将正常妊娠模型(CBA/J×BALB/c)和自然流产模型(CBA/J×DBA/2J)CBA孕鼠均分为两组:对照组(各10只)于孕d 4、d 6、d 8腹腔注射大鼠IgG;干预组(各10只)于孕d 4、d 6、d 8腹腔注射大鼠抗小鼠CD86 mAb。孕d 9竞争性半定量RT-PCR测定各组母胎界面组织中Th1型(IL-12、IFN-γ)/Th2型(IL-4、IL-10)细胞因子转录水平;孕d 12比较两种模型各组的胚胎吸收率。结果:正常妊娠模型中,干预CD86协同刺激信号对母胎界面Th1/Th2型细胞因子转录水平及妊娠预后均无显著影响(P>0.05)。自然流产模型中,干预CD86协同刺激信号能够升调节母胎界面局部Th2型而降调节Th1型细胞因子转录水平,并显著改善其妊娠预后(P<0.05)。结论:于孕早期干预CD86协同刺激信号能够调控母胎界面局部Th1/Th2型细胞因子转录,形成维持正常妊娠所需的Th2型免疫偏倚,诱导母胎免疫耐受。     

DBA-lectin Reactivity Defines Natural Killer Cells that have Homed to Mouse Decidua

During normal mouse pregnancy, abundant numbers of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells differentiate at implantation sites and contribute to early, post-implantation endometrial angiogenesis and to spiral arterial modification. Mouse uNK cells are confidently recognized by light microscopy in tissue sections stained with special protocols. Classically, mouse uNK cells were identified as lymphocytes containing Periodic Acid Schiff's (PAS) reactive cytoplasmic granules. More recently, Dolichos biflorus lectin (DBA) reactions which stain not only the cytoplasmic granules but also the uNK cell membranes have been widely adopted. No lymphocytes in any tissues of virgin mice or external to the uterus of pregnant mice have DBA lectin reactivity equivalent to that of uNK cells; however, some uNK cells are now recognized as DBA-. Here, we describe a PAS/DBA lectin double staining protocol and assess the coincident staining of C57Bl/6 J uNK cells from gestation day (gd)6, the first day of uNK cell abundance, to gd12, the day when Tunel+ nuclear senecence appears widely in uNK cells before their numerical decline. For these gd, PAS+ DBA- and PAS + DBA+ cells but not PAS-DBA+ cells were identified. Dual positive cells increased from 47% at gd6 to 85% at gd12. Transplantation of normal bone marrow into alymphoid mice who were subsequently mated revealed the uterus repopulated by doubly reactive PAS + DBA+ uNK cells (>95%). Thus, in normal pregnancies, most uNK cells appear to arise from progenitor cells that have homed to the uterus.     

An investigation of allogeneic pregnancy in multiparous mice subjected to in vivo depletion of CD8 (Ly2)-positive lymphocytes by monoclonal antibody treatment

Adult thymectomized C57/Bl (H-2b) and DBA/1 (H-2q) female mice were subjected to treatment with rat anti-mouse CD8 and mouse anti-rat Ig (kappa) prior to entering their third pregnancy with CBA/Ca (H-2k) males. The treatment protocol drastically reduced the number of CD8 (Ly2)-carrying lymphocytes (T-cytotoxic/suppressor phenotype) in the spleen and para-aortic lymph nodes, as assessed by immuno-staining. All mice were investigated on day 18 of their third gestation. The following data were collected from experimental and control groups: (1) resorption frequency, (2) weight of the placenta, fetuses, spleen and para-aortic lymph nodes, (3) immunohistochemical analysis of maternal lymphoid tissues, (4) level of anti-paternal IgG serum antibodies, (5) content of "background" IgM and IgG-secreting cells in spleen and para-aortic lymph nodes. Neither the resorption frequency nor placental/fetal weight was affected by anti-CD8 treatment. However, the formation of anti-paternal antibodies was enhanced in anti-CD8 treated C57/Bl mice.     

淋巴细胞免疫治疗对小鼠自然流产模型母胎界面CD80~+表达及妊娠结局的影响

目的:评价CBA/J×DBA/2小鼠配对组合作为反复自然流产模型的生殖力特点,及其与母胎交界CD80表达间的关系,并研究淋巴细胞免疫治疗(lymphocyte immunotherapy,LIT)对CD80表达水平的影响。方法:对CBA/J×DBA/2小鼠的生殖力特点进行为期120d的观察,并与生殖力正常的4种对照组进行比较。另计算15对CBA/J×DBA/2小鼠孕13d的胚胎吸收率,并用CD80-FITC和CD45-PE双色流式细胞术检测CD80细胞在母胎交界面的构成比。为了明确CD80~+细胞的身份,检测了CD3、DX5(NK细胞)和MHC-Ⅱ在CD80细胞群中的表达水平。此外,检测LIT组与未治疗组CBA/J×DBA/2小鼠胚胎吸收率和CD80细胞的阳性率。结果:CBA/J×DBA/2小鼠的流产特点是为孕10d左右的反复流产。CBA/J×DBA/2小鼠孕13d的胚胎吸收率显著高于BALB/c×DBA/2小鼠(30.8％±16.6％vs.7.7％±6.7％,P相似文献   

干预CD86协同刺激信号在诱导母胎界面Th2型免疫偏倚中的作用

目的 :探讨干预CD86协同刺激信号在诱导母胎界面局部形成Th2型免疫偏倚中的作用。方法 :将正常妊娠模型 (CBA×BALB/c)和自然流产模型 (CBA×DBA/ 2 )CBA孕鼠均分为两组 ,于孕第 4、6、8天 ,对照组腹腔注射大鼠IgG ,实验组腹腔注射大鼠抗小鼠CD86mAb ;孕第 9天 ,ELISA测定母胎界面组织培养上清中Th1型 (IFN γ、TNF α) /Th2型(IL 4、IL 10 )细胞因子表达水平 ,并计算IL 4 /IFN γ、IL 10 /IFN γ比值 ;孕第 12天比较两种模型各组的胚胎吸收率。结果 :正常妊娠模型中 ,干预CD86协同刺激信号对母胎界面原有的Th2型免疫偏离及妊娠预后均无显著影响。自然流产模型中 ,干预CD86协同刺激信号能够诱导母胎界面局部形成Th2型免疫偏倚并显著改善其妊娠预后。结论 :于孕早期 ,干预CD86协同刺激信号能够改善母胎界面局部细胞因子微环境 ,形成维持正常妊娠所需的Th2型免疫偏倚 ,诱导母胎免疫耐受     

Increased severity of Candida vaginitis in BALB/c nu/nu mice versus the parent strain is not abrogated by adoptive transfer of T cell enriched lymphocytes

The role of the host immune system in combating candidal infections in the vagina is poorly understood. A murine model of Candida vaginitis was used to elucidate the role of T cells in a candidal infection. Athymic BALB/c nu/nu mice or normal BALB/c mice were induced into estrus and then infected with 1 x 10(6) Candida albicans intravaginally. The infection was monitored over 1 week. Samples from blood, small intestine, tongue, kidney, spleen, liver, uterus and vagina were tested for recoverable C. albicans. Histology of the vagina was assessed for both inflammation and extent of infection. Results indicated that the BALB/c nu/nu mice had similar levels of vaginal yeast load to the normal BALB/c mice. In 25-30% of nude mice Candida was also recovered from extra vaginal sites (kidney, liver, small intestine), however, extra vaginal dissemination was not observed in any normal BALB/c animals. Histologically, both the nu/nu and control BALB/c had similar levels of vaginal inflammation; however, the nu/nu mice had more florid fungal growth in the vaginal epithelium. Adoptive transfer of either immune or non-immune BALB/c T cells into nude mice had no affect on either infection or vaginal inflammation. Immunohistochemical staining of vaginal tissues from normal BALB/c mice or nude mice adoptively transferred with either immune or non-immune T cells with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody revealed no significant difference between groups in the numbers of CD3+ vaginal T cells. However, in mice receiving either immune or non-immune T cells no yeast was recovered from any tissues except the vagina. These data show that T cells have a limited role in protecting the vagina from C. albicans infection.     

Murine CD45+CD86+ cells isolated from para-aortic lymph nodes in an abortion-prone model

The present study aims to address whether the analysis of CD45+CD86+ cells isolated from para-aortic lymph nodes (pLNs) is valuable in assessment of the status of local immunity at the murine feto-maternal interface. CBA/J x DBA/2 mice, virgin CBA/J mice, and CBA/J x BALB/c mice were used as an abortion-prone model (group A), nonpregnant controls (group N), and fertile controls (group F), respectively. The percentage of CD45+CD86+ cells in the CD45+ cell group (CD45+CD86+ percentage for short) and the absolute number of these cells were determined by means of flow cytometry (FCM), using mononuclear cells isolated from pLNs collected 5.5, 9.5, and 13.5 days post-coitum (dpc), respectively, and mononuclear cells isolated from placentas 13.5 dpc. To clarify the identity of these CD86+ cells, FCM was also performed with CD3, CD19, and DX5 as specific markers for murine T-cells, B-cells, and NK cells, respectively. Both resorption rate and absolute number of resorptions were significantly higher in group A (29.3%, 1.8+/-1.0) than in group F (4.8%, 0.3+/-0.5, P<0.001, respectively). Similarly, both cell percentage and absolute number of CD45+CD86+ cells in pLNs collected 13.5 dpc were significantly higher in group A than in group F (27.5+/-14.0% versus 12.3+/-7.1%, and 1362+/-687 versus 615+/-353, P=0.001, respectively). The CD45+CD86+ percentage was around 7.5% in nonpregnant CBA/J mice, similar to the 10.6% in CBA/JxDBA/2 mice 5.5 dpc, but had increased dramatically, to 23.9%, by 9.5 dpc (P<0.001 versus nonpregnant mice and P=0.002 versus CBA/JxDBA/2 mice 5.5 dpc), and remained at a higher level (27.5%) until 13.5 dpc. However, this trend was not observed in group F during pregnancy. The increased CD45+CD86+ percentage at day 9.5 of gestation, when resorption begins, may support the assumption that CD45+CD86+ cells play a role in the course of embryo resorption. Lymphocyte phenotypic analysis in the lymph nodes that drain the pregnant uterus may be helpful to assess the status of local immunity at the feto-maternal interface.