Related Experiment Videos
Maternal immunopotentiation affects the teratogenic response to hyperthermia
D Yitzhakie1, A Torchinsky, S Savion
1Department of Embryology and Teratology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Journal of Reproductive Immunology
|February 5, 2000
Summary
Maternal immunostimulation significantly enhances embryo tolerance to heat shock teratogens. This involves reduced fetal malformations, apoptosis, and altered heat shock protein expression, suggesting maternal immune status impacts embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
- Teratology
Background:
- Maternal immune responses influence embryonic tolerance to teratogens.
- Heat shock is a direct teratogen affecting embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if maternal immunostimulation alters embryonic response to heat shock teratogenesis.
- To evaluate the protective effects of maternal immune activation on heat shock-induced developmental anomalies.
Main Methods:
- Mice were immunostimulated with rat splenocytes before mating.
- Pregnant mice (intact and immunostimulated) were exposed to heat shock on day 9 of gestation.
- Fetal outcomes (malformations, resorptions, weight) and embryonic apoptosis/HSP60 levels were assessed.
Main Results:
- Immunostimulated mothers showed significantly fewer malformations (encephalocele, open eyes) and resorptions compared to non-immunized controls.
- Heat shock induced higher apoptosis and HSP60 expression in embryos from non-immunized mothers.
- Maternal immunostimulation reduced heat shock-induced apoptosis by approximately 70%.
Conclusions:
- Maternal immunostimulation confers significant protection to mouse embryos against heat shock teratogenesis.
- Embryonic tolerance to heat shock is modulated by the maternal immune environment.
- This highlights a crucial interplay between maternal immunity and embryonic susceptibility to environmental insults.