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Updated: May 4, 2026
Induction of Maternal Immune Activation in Mice at Mid-gestation Stage with Viral Mimic PolyI:C
Published on: March 25, 2016
[Levo-L-methyl tryptophan induces immune imbalance at maternal-fetal interface in mice]
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Shenzhen Maternal and Child Care Hospital Affiliated to South Medical University, Shenzhen 518028, China.
Objective:
To investigate which one, 1-methyl-L-tryptophan (1-L-MT) or 1-methyl-D-tryptophan (1-D-MT), induces immune imbalance at maternal-fetal interface in mice.
Methods:
BALB/c female mice are mated with C57BL/6J male mice, and since pregnancy day 6.5, the pregnant mice were given respectively 1-L-MT, 1-D-MT and organic solvents for 10 d. All the pregnant mice were executed at pregnancy day 16.5. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity in the placenta tissue was detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio in the decidual tissue was determined by flow cytometry and pregnancy outcome was compared among groups.
Results:
IDO activity of placenta tissues in 1-L-MT group was obviously lower than that in 1-D-MT group and the control group, and no statistical difference was found between 1-D-MT group and the control group; IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio of decidual tissues in 1-L-MT group was higher than that in 1-D-MT group and the control group, and there was no statistical difference between 1-D-MT group and the control group; the quantity and weight of fetal mice in 1-L-MT group were significantly lower than those in 1-D-MT group and the control group, and no statistical difference between 1-D-MT group and the control group.
Conclusion:
1-L-MT but not 1-D-MT induces immune imbalance at maternal-fetal interface in mice by inhibiting activity of IDO.
