[Immunological mechanism of pregnancy and miscarriage--a study with a murine spontaneous miscarriage model]

In order to investigate the immunological mechanisms of pregnancy, fluorocytometric and immunohistochemical analysis of the cells was performed in the placenta and spleen of a murine spontaneous miscarriage model (CBA/J x DBA/2) and control (CBA/J x BALB/c). There was a significant difference between the miscarriage rate for the miscarriage model and that for the control, even though H-2 in these two group is matched. The analysis also was performed in a miscarriage model immunized with male splenocytes. Moreover, the effect of gamma-interferon, a potentiator of NK cell activity, on pregnancy was examined. Interferon treatment increased the miscarriage rate. In pregnancy, the number of splenocyte positive Asialo-GM1 or LFA-1 decreased and the intensity of these antigens decreased, as well. Interleukin-2R positive cell increased in number as well as intensity. In the miscarriage model group successfully treated by immunization, the number of Asialo-GM1 positive cells and L3T4 positive cells decreased, whereas they increased in the unsuccessfully treated group. Asialo-GM1 positive cells in the placenta of successful pregnancy decreased in number, and those in miscarried pregnancy increased. In conclusion, the success of the immunization treatment for habitual abortion depends on how to suppress NK cell activity in a linkage with the helper T-cell.