title: Lymphocyte phenotyping and NK cell activity analysis in pregnant NOD/SCID mice.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to outline the fertility features of non-obese diabetic (NOD)/LtSz-scid/scid (NOD/SCID [severe combined immunodeficiency] for short) mice, and to evaluate the effects of NK cell subsets on the pregnancy outcomes of the syngeneic NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mating combination. Firstly, lymphocyte phenotyping was performed with flow cytometry to confirm the multiple immunodeficits in NOD/SCID mice. Fertility features were assessed in NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mice and compared with non-immunodeficiency control BALB/c x BALB/c mice. Although the presence of NK cell deficit is apparent in NOD/SCID mice, a certain level of remnant NK activity could be observed in these mice. The remnant NK cell activity was stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyIC), or inhibited with anti-asialo GM1 (ASGM1) anti-serum, respectively. The effects of these factors on pregnancy outcomes were evaluated after administration. Roughly normal fertility could be observed in NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mice. However, a slightly larger sized litter was observed in polyIC-treated NOD/SCID x NOD/SCID mice compared with control NOD/SCID mice. In contrast, embryo resorption was boosted after ASGM1 injection, and correlated subsequently with a smaller litter size. It indicates that the remnant NK cell activity in NOD/SCID mice may be beneficial to feto-maternal tolerance during pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Tissue Transplantation and Immunology, Jinan University, Guangzhou City 510632, China. yilinonline@21cn.com
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yijing
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yaoying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D016513:Mice, SCID; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; C018835:asialo GM1 ganglioside; D011070:Poly I-C