A. Torchinsky et al., IMMUNOTERATOLOGY .1. MHC INVOLVEMENT IN THE EMBRYO RESPONSE TO TERATOGENS IN MICE, American journal of reproductive immunology [1989], 34(5), 1995, pp. 288-298
PROBLEM: The present study was carried out to evaluate an involvement
of MHC-associated maternal immunoreactivity in response to environment
al teratogens. METHODS: Two chemicals, cyclophosphamide (CP) and 2,3-q
uinoxalinedimetanol, 1,4-dioxide (QD) were used as the reference terat
ogens (RT). The response to these RT was investigated in syngeneically
and allogeneically mated CBA/J and C(57)B1/6 mice. In part of C(57)B1
/6 female mice, paraaortic lymph nodes were extirpated 14 days before
mating to allogeneic or syngeneic males. Twenty or 40 mg/kg of CP or 3
00 or 600 mg/kg of QD were injected on day 12 and 9 of pregnancy, acco
rdingly (vaginal plug indicates day 1 of pregnancy). On day 19 of preg
nancy implantation sites, resorptions, live and dead fetuses were reco
rded and live fetuses were examined with methods routinely used in app
lied teratology. RESULTS: Both mice strains showed equal response to t
eratogens but the RT-induced effect was significantly weaker in alloge
neic than syngeneic mouse combinations. Extirpation of draining lymph
nodes dramatically increased the sensitivity to RT in allogeneically m
ated females but failed to alter that of syngeneically mated ones. CON
CLUSION: The results of this study suggest that fetomaternal MHC incom
patibility exerts the favourable influence on teratological resistance
of the embryo and MHC-associated immunoreactivity of ''mother-fetus''
axis is possibly responsible for this effect.