Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
A Plate-based Cytotoxicity Assay for the Assessment of Rat Placental Natural Killer Cell Cytolytic Function
Published on: June 2, 2019
Poly I-C induces early embryo loss in f344 rats: a potential role for NK cells
Michal Arad1, Shir Atzil, Keren Shakhar
1Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Problem:
Natural killer (NK) cells were associated with first trimester embryo loss. The current study in the inbred F344 rat assessed the role of NK cells in mediating resorptions caused by poly I-C, a non-specific immunostimulator.
Method Of Study:
On fifth day of gestation, rats were injected intraperitoneally with anti-NKR-P1 (1.5 mg/kg, i.p.) to deplete NK cells, and with mouse serum or saline to control for non-specific effects. Poly I-C (4 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle were administered 2 days later. Resorptions were assessed on day 13.5.
Results:
Poly I-C significantly elevated resorption rates, and anti-NKR-P1 abolished this effect. Body weight was reduced in all rats treated with poly I-C, including NK-depleted rats. This indicates the ability of NK-depleted rats to respond to poly I-C, yet to refrain from the resorption-promoting effects of poly I-C.
Conclusions:
This study suggests a role for NK cells in mediating poly I-C-induced resorptions.
More Related Videos
09:09Generating a Reproducible Model of Mid-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation using Poly(I:C) to Study Susceptibility and Resilience in Offspring
Published on: August 17, 2022
08:53Generation of the Early-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation Mouse Model to Assess Prenatal Inflammation on Neurodevelopment
Published on: March 24, 2026