Immunogenetic studies of spontaneous abortion in mice. II. Antiabortive effects are independent of systemic regulatory mechanisms

CBA/J females (H-2k) mated with DBA2/J males (H-2d) exhibit a high rate of fetal resorption. Fetal survival has been improved by pretreatment of CBA/J females with spleen cells from BALB/c J (H-2d) (but not from CBA/J or DBA/2/J) males. Similarly, three out of nine recombinant inbred strains (recombining BALB/c and DBA2 genomes at the homozygous state) possess antiabortive effects like the BALB/c parent. Previous studies showed that BALB/c pretreatment triggers the appearance of suppressor cells in the spleen and of IgG1 anti-H-2d antibodies in the serum of CBA/J females. Studies of these two immunological parameters after CBA/J preimmunization by the different recombinant strains suggest that local intrauterine immunoregulation is the determinant of success or failure of allopregnancy.     

Sex and H-2 haplotype control the resistance of CBA-BALB hybrids to the induction of T cell lymphoma by Moloney leukemia virus

CBA/N and CBA/CaHN have a significantly longer latent period than other inbred mouse strains between infection with Moloney murine leukemia virus and the appearance of T cell lymphoma. The genetic characteristics of this resistance have been analyzed in the F1 hybrids of CBA/N and CBA/CaHN with BALB H-2 congenic strains. Sexual phenotype and H-2 haplotype significantly influenced survival in the F1 hybrids of CBA/CaHN with BALB. In the F1 with BALB/cJ and BALB/cAnN (both H-2d), the males survived significantly longer than the females; but in the F1 with BALB.K (H-2k) and BALB.B (H-2b), the survival of males and females was the same. Survival was not prolonged by the recessive X-linked immunodeficiency gene xid or other genes on the CBA/N X-chromosome, because the (CBA/N X BALB/c)F1 male and the reciprocal (BALB/c X CBA/N)F1 male, which does not carry the CBA X-chromosome, were equally resistant. H-2 haplotype did not influence survival among the BALB H-2 congenics, and sex had little effect on the resistance of the CBA and BALB parents. These results demonstrate that a sex-dependent gene linked to H-2 significantly influences the expression of CBA genes for lymphoma resistance in the F1 hybrid with BALB.     

H-2 haplotype and sex-related differences in IgG response to ovalbumin in mice.

Specific IgG antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 7 strains of male and female mice after immunization with ovalbumin. Also, H-2 haplotype and sex-related differences in IgG response to ovalbumin were evaluated using statistical methods, slope ratio assay and parallel line assay. H-2k strain mice (C3H/HeN and CBA/JN) showed higher IgG responsiveness to ovalbumin than H-2d (BALB/cAnN and DBA/2 N) and H-2b (C57BL/6 N) mice. With regard to the sex-related differences in IgG response to ovalbumin, females in some strains showed higher IgG response than males, but some strains showed no sex-related differences, and sex-related differences in IgG response to ovalbumin did not relate to their H-2 haplotypes. These results may be caused by other immune response genes which control the sex-related immune response than H-2 or other unknown factors.     

Genetic differences in BCG-induced resistance to Schistosoma mansoni are not controlled by genes within the major histocompatibility complex of the mouse.

Induction of nonspecific resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infection after the i.v. injection of viable BCG was investigated in outbred mice and a panel of inbred and H-2 congenic strains. Significant protection was induced in CF1, A/J, C57BL/6, C57BL/10, DBA/2, C57BR, and SJL mice. BALB/c mice were not protected whereas CBA and C3H mice expressed intermediate degrees of protection. Expression of the protective phenomenon is not controlled by genes within the MHC as shown by the marked differences in response between BALB/c and DBA/2 (H-2d) as well as between C57BR and C3H (H-2k) mice. H-2 congenic strains with C57BL/10 background (B10.A and B10.D2) were high responders. BALB.B10 mice carrying the high responder (B10) MHC on the nonresponder (BALB/c) background were not protected. The degree of splenic hypertrophy did not correlate with the expression of nonspecific resistance. These results demonstrate that, in addition to controlling specific immune responses, genetic differences influence the nonspecific protective phenomena related to BCG administration as well.     

Murine pregnancies predisposed to spontaneous resorption show alterations in the concentrations of leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2.

Female CBA/J mice mated with DBA/2 males exhibit an increased spontaneous resorption rate (30-35%) in their first pregnancy. Second pregnancies show a decreased resorption rate (15-20%). In contrast, resorption in CBA/J females mated with BALB/c males (identical to DBA/2 at the H-2 major histocompatibility locus) occurs with a frequency of 5-10%. Resorption is preceded by fetoplacental infiltration of natural killer (NK)-like cells and a deficiency in a lipophilic NK-suppressive activity. The eicosanoids leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are known to modulate NK activity in vitro. We measured the concentrations of LTB4 and PGE2 in extracts of individual fetoplacental units at Day 8 of gestation from (1) primigravid CBA/J x DBA/2 resorption-prone matings (RES); (2) second CBA/J x DBA/2 matings (SEC); and (3) primigravid CBA/J x BALB/c control matings (CON). We detected a significant decrease in the mean concentration of LTB4 in RES fetoplacental units (176.4 +/- 11.8 pg/ml; n = 42) compared with CON and SEC fetoplacental units (570.2 +/- 45.5 pg/ml; n = 21 and 420.2 +/- 59.5 pg/ml; n = 39, respectively). To confirm that the LTB4 deficiency is associated with decreased NK suppression in RES matings, we supplemented RES extracts, in vitro, with exogenous LTB4 (0-500 pg/ml). The effect of the addition of LTB4 to RES extracts was biphasic. Addition of LTB4 in the range of 30-125 pg/ml increased the extract's NK suppressive capacity, whereas LTB4 alone either stimulated NK activity or was without effect. These results suggest a critical role for LTB4 in averting NK-mediated early spontaneous fetal resorption.     

Myelin proteolipid protein-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Variations of disease expression in different strains of mice

Strains of mice with diverse genetic backgrounds were tested for susceptibility to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced by myelin proteolipid protein. EAE was elicited in all strains of mice tested, but the clinical and histologic features varied. SJL (H-2s) mice had a high incidence of both clinical and histologic disease characterized by early onset of clinical signs. Inguinal lymph node T cells from diseased animals responded specifically [( 3H]thymidine incorporation) to proteolipid protein and not to myelin basic protein. In contrast, BALB/c (H-2d), DBA/1 (H-2q), C57BL/6 (H-2b), AKR (H-2k), CBA (H-2k), C3H (H-2k), B10.BR (H-2k), and C57BR (H-2k) mice showed a later onset of clinical signs and typically a lower disease incidence. However, the most marked variations in disease incidence occurred among BALB/c (H-2d) substrains in which the incidence of EAE ranged from eight of nine (BALB/cPt) to complete resistance (BALB/cWt and BALB/cORNL). Because these BALB/c substrains were initially derived from the same inbred genetic source and are serologically identical at H-2, these results suggest that expression of proteolipid protein-induced EAE in the mouse involves additional loci outside the MHC.     

The regulation of immune responses to multiple non-H-2 antigens on tumor cells: I. Differential responses of BALB/c F1 hybrids to the P815 mastocytoma in vivo

Factors influencing host resistance to the growth of a tumor bearing many mismatched minor histocompatibility antigens (MiHA) were studied. BALB/c (H-2^d) and several of its F₁ hybrids were injected intraperitoneally with DBA/2 (H-2^d) P815 tumor cells. Compared to BALB/c, which was moderately susceptible, F₁ hybrids of BALB/c with CBA, AKR, C3H.OH, and BIO H-2-congenic strains were highly susceptible, whereas hybrids of BALB/ c with A, A.SW, and BALB.B strains were quite resistant. Susceptibility was observed only with the intraperitoneally injected tumor, since both BALB/c and (CBA x BALB/c)F₁ were resistant to the same tumor injected subcutaneously, and survival times of DBA/2 skin grafts did not differ between susceptible and resistant strains. Susceptibility was in part a function of the number of MiHA incompatibilities between tumor and host although the specific loci involved could not be identified. For example, susceptible (CBA x BALB/c)F₁ hybrids probably shared certain MiHA with DBA/2 which BALB/c lacked, and which therefore subtracted from the net antigenic strength of the tumor in the hybrid, compared to its strength in BALB/ c. This interpretation was supported by in vitro studies which confirmed that the susceptible hybrids shared more MiHA with DBA/2, than did the resistant hybrids. Resistance was at least partially regulated by the host H-2 genotype, as shown by the observation that (BALB/ c x BALB.B)F₁ (H-2^d/b) mice were significantly more resistant than BALB/c. Segregation studies of the resistant (BALB/c x A)F₁ hybrids, indicated that in addition to H-2, a nonH-2 gene in the A background was operating to confer resistance. Thus the factors influencing susceptibility to the MiHA-incompatible tumor were: (i) site of injection; (ii) the combined strength of the disparate MiHA; (iii) the host H-2 genotype; and (iv) at least one host nonH-2 gene conferring increased responsiveness.     

Nematospiroides dubius: genetic control of immunity to infections of mice

Inbred strains of mice differ in their susceptibility and resistance to challenge infections with Nematospiroides dubius. In our studies, F1 hybrid mice from resistant SJL and susceptible CBA parents were resistant to N. dubius challenge infections. Only 22% of backcrosses to SJL were susceptible while backcrosses to CBA had a wide range of susceptibility. Male mice were more susceptible than female mice. In another experiment, inbred strains of mice were compared in their ability to resist N. dubius challenge infection: SJL and A.SW (H-2s) mice became resistant after one immunizing infection, A, A/He (both H-2a), as well as BALB/c and DBA/2 (both H-2d) mice became resistant after two immunizing infections, while C57BL/6 (H-2b), C3H/He, CBA, and AKR (H-2k) mice remained susceptible. The resistance to reinfections was characterized by reduction of worm burdens between Days 6 and 14 postinfection. It was concluded that (1) resistance to N. dubius challenge infections is inherited in a dominant fashion and that multiple genes may influence such response, which in turn might be modulated by the Y chromosome; (2) both MHC and non-MHC genes may influence, in conjunction with the number of exposures to parasite antigens, the resistance to challenge infections.     

CD3- bone marrow cells augment the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes showing a preference for the X-chromosome linked gene product of stimulator cells

Responder cells, composed of both a limited number of nylon wool-passed lymph node (NW-LN) cells and an excess number of CD3+ cell-depleted bone marrow (CD3- BM) cells from the same strain of mice, were stimulated with allogeneic spleen cells in vitro. The CD3- BM cells augmented the generation of allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from NW-LN cells. C3H/He (H-2k, C3H background) responder cells were stimulated with either B10.D2 (H-2d, B10 background) or BALB/c (H-2d, BALB background) spleen cells. In the former stimulation, the CTL induced lysed B10.D2 target cells more efficiently than the BALB/c cells. Furthermore, these CTL lysed more (B10.D2 x BALB/c) F1 male target cells than (BALB/c x B10.D2) F1 male. In the latter stimulation, the CTL lysed more BALB/c than B10.D2 cells, and more (BALB/c) x B10.D2) F1 male than (B10.D2 x BALB/c) F1 male. The reciprocal mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) were carried out, in which BALB/c responder cells were stimulated with either C3H/He or B10.BR (H-2k, B10 background) spleen cells. In the former stimulation, the CTL induced lysed more C3H/He or (C3H/He x B10.BR) F1 male target cells than B10.BR or (B10.BR x C3H/He) F1 male, and in the latter, the reciprocal results were obtained. These results suggested that the CTL induced had a preference for the X-chromosome linked gene products (Xlgp), besides the specificity for the allogeneic MHC class I, of the mice used as stimulator.     

Extrathymic differentiation and antigen response of αβT lymphocytes in pregnancy

We studied reactivity of αβT-lymphocytes in CBA pregnant females toward male antigens and the presence of gene rearrangement in T-cells antigen receptor in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice in the case of three breeding variants: CBA × BALB/c (normal allogenic pregnancy), CBA × CBA (syngenetic pregnancy), and CBA × DBA/2 (prone to abortion combination). It was shown that proliferative response of αβT-lymphocytes in pregnant CBA females to male spleen cells was the most marked at normal allogenic pregnancy, the least marked at syngenic pregnancy, and was not observed at the combination CBA × DBA/2. In addition, cells of paraaortic lymphatic nodes (draining uterus) respond to male antigen reliably more effectively than lymphocytes in mesenterial and axillary lymphatic nodes. Simultaneous estimation of recombinase RAG-1, the key enzyme in rearrangement of T-receptor genes, revealed similar principles: predominant activity of recombinase in T-lymphocytes in paraaortal lymphatic nodes of CBA pregnant females. This points to the relationship between extrathymic rearrangement of antigen receptor genes and change in the antigen-detecting repertoire of these cells. The possible biological significance of the discovered phenomenon is discussed.     

Placental ATPase expression is a link between multiple causes of spontaneous abortion in mice

The a2 isoform of vacuolar ATPase (ATP6V0A2 referred to as a2V) plays a pivotal role in successful pregnancy and provides a microenvironment to maintain the delicate immunological balance at the feto-maternal interaction. We studied the expression of a2V mRNA in embryos and placenta of abortion-prone (female CBA × male DBA) murine matings or LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-treated mice. The expression of a2V was significantly higher in the placentas of nonabortion-prone (female BALB/c × male BALB/c and female CBA × male BALB/c) matings compared with the abortion-prone (female CBA × male DBA) mating. The expression of a2V was significantly decreased in the placentas treated with LPS in both female CBA × male DBA and female BALB/c × male BALB/c mating combinations with increased Lif, Il1b, and Tnf expression in the placenta. Decreased expression of a2V in the placenta is directly correlated with high percentages of pregnancy loss in abortion-prone mating (female CBA × male DBA) as well as in LPS-treated animals. The normal expression of placental a2V on Day 16 in the nonabortion-prone matings correlated with higher Mcp1 (monocyte chemotactic protein 1) gene expression, markedly higher infiltration of M1 and M2 macrophages, and no significant polarization patterns (M1/M2 = 1.2-1.6). However, in the abortion-prone mating, decreased placental a2V expression correlated with significantly lower Mcp1 gene expression with less infiltration of M1 and M2 macrophages and with polarization patterns skewed to M1 phenotypes (M1/M2 = 3.9-4.2). These data indicate that the higher expression of placental a2V is associated with dynamic infiltration of M1 and M2 macrophages through the induction of Mcp1 expression. This strengthens our hypothesis that a2V regulates the delicate cytokine and chemokine networks that coordinate the recruitment of macrophages for successful placental development and growth at the feto-maternal interface.     

Neonatal tolerance induction in the thymus to MHC-class II-associated antigens. II. Significance of MHC antigens in anti-Mls tolerance

Specificity of anti-Mlsa tolerance induced in BALB/c (H-2d, Mlsb) neonates was investigated by a popliteal lymph node (PLN)-swelling assay for the local graft-versus-host (GVH) reaction by injecting tolerant thymus cells into the footpads of several types of F1 hybrid mice. When thymus cells were obtained from 1-week-old normal BALB/c, they evoked enlargement of PLNs of (BALB/c X DBA/2)F1 (H-2d, Mlsb/a) [CDF1] recipients and of other hybrid recipients, heterozygous in Mlsa,c,d alleles, irrespective of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) haplotypes. The same thymus cells did not cause the response in MHC-heterozygous F1 hybrids when the hybrids were homozygous in Mlsb, identical with BALB/c mice. Therefore, the PLN response to Mls antigens, known to be closely associated with MHC-class II antigens, was not directed to the class II antigens themselves. This enabled us to examine the effects of MHC on tolerance induction to the Mls antigens. When BALB/c neonates were injected with CDF1 bone marrow cells, complete tolerance to Mlsa-H-2d antigens of CDF1 cells was induced in the thymus, while responsiveness to Mlsa antigens in the context of H-2k and H-2b antigens, was not affected. This indicates MHC-restriction of neonatal tolerance to Mls antigens. Furthermore, when Mls and H-2-heterozygous (BALB/c X AKR)F1 (H-2d/k, Mlsb/a) bone marrow cells served as the tolerogen, thymus cells of BALB/c neonates were also tolerized to Mlsa-H-2k antigens as well as to Mlsa-H-2d antigens, which suggests the involvement of MHC, probably class II antigens of tolerance-inducing cells.     

T cell lines with dual specificity for strong Mls and H-2 determinants

To examine the relationship of T cell specificity for Mls vs H-2 determinants, BALB/c (H-2d,Mlsb)(d,b) T cells were stimulated repeatedly in vitro with H-2-compatible, Mls-incompatible DBA/2(d,a) stimulators. This line of T cells gave strong mixed-lymphocyte reactions to the priming Mlsa determinants but, in addition, gave appreciable responses to various foreign H-2 determinants. When this T cell line was subsequently stimulated over a period of 2 mo with Mlsa-negative cells of a particular foreign H-2 haplotype, e.g., H-2k, the cells gave high responses to H-2k determinants but only very low responses to third-party H-2 determinants. Significantly, the cells retained high reactivity for Mlsa determinants. In other experiments, BALB/c T cells positively selected to Mlsa,d-negative H-2-incompatible stimulator cells retained high reactivity for Mlsa determinants. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

过继转输的父系抗原耐受T细胞诱导受体母-胎免疫耐受的机制研究

To study the effect of adoptive transfer of paternal antigen-tolerant T cells on recipient reactive T cells, CBA/JxDBA/2 mating was recruited as an abortion-prone model, and CBA/JxBALB/c mating as a successful pregnancy model. The abortion-prone CBA/J females mated with DBA/2 males were injected intraperitoneally with rat anti-mouse CD80 and CD86 mAb or rat isotype IgG at day 4 after gestation (time of implantation). The purified T cells were obtained from spleen of the pregnant CBA/J mice using magnetic beads at day 9 after gestation and labeled with CFSE in vitro. The CFSE-labeled T cells were intravenously injected into other CBA/J females mated with DBA/2 males at day 4 after gestation. The proliferation of recipient splenocytes in response to DBA/2 stimulator cells was evaluated at day 9 after gestation in vitro, and the expressions of intracellular cytokines and costimulatory molecules in CFSE +/- T cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that adoptive transfer of either paternal antigen-tolerant T cells or T cells from BALB/c-mated CBA/J mice significantly suppressed the proliferation of recipient splenocytes in response to DBA/2 stimulator cells and resulted in lower frequency of cells positive for IL-2, IFN-gamma, CD28 and higher frequency of IL-10,CTLA-4-producing cells in both CFSE+ CD3+ population and CFSE- CD3+ population compared with adoptive transfer of T cells from isotype IgG-treated CBA/J mice, whereas the frequency of IL-4-producing cells did not appear significant change. Our findings suggest that paternal antigen-tolerant T cells transferred in recipient not only function as antigen-specific suppresser cells but also disable the recipient reactive T cells, which co-suppresses maternal rejection to the allogeneic fetus, thus resulting in the decrease of the embryo resorption rate of the abortion-prone mice to that of the normal pregnancy mice.     

Background matters: the effects of estrogen receptor alpha gene disruption on male sexual behavior are modified by background strain

One approach to study interactions between behavior and genetics is to use inbred mice with different genetic backgrounds. To examine the effect of background on a specific gene, we conducted a series of experiments with a well-characterized knockout (KO) mouse, the estrogen receptor alpha KO (ERalphaKO). The ERalphaKO mouse has so far been examined in one inbred line, C57BL/6J. Here, we examined the behavior of ERalphaKO mice within three different backgrounds mixed with C57BL/6J; DBA/2J, BALB/c, and A/J. First, we assessed masculine sexual behavior in both intact male and testosterone-treated female offspring. More ERalphaKO males in the DBA/2J (5/12) and BALB/c (5/13) backcrosses displayed intromissions and many ejaculated as compared with males in a C57BL/6J and A/J mixed background. Many fewer ERalphaKO females than males displayed masculine sexual behavior in any of the three hybrid crosses. We assessed fertility in males from the C57BL/6J by DBA/2J cross and found that one of 12 ERalphaKO males sired a litter. Several other characteristics of sexual behavior and physiology were unaffected by genetic background in ERalphaKO mice. Our data suggest that genetic background has dramatic effects on male sexual behavior and its dependence on the ERalpha gene.     

Generation of low-dose paralysis in the absence of the ability to secrete antibody.

(CBA/N female x BALB/c male)F1 male mice carry an X-linked defect, originating from CBA/N mice, which renders them unable to generate an antibody response to SSS-III. Histocompatible (BALB/c female x CBA/N male) reciprocal F1 male hybrids do not carry the X-linked defect and therefore generate a readily detectable PFC response to SSS-III, which can be adoptively transferred into nonresponding reciprocal F1 male mice. In the present work, we show that this adoptive response could be inhibited in recipient (CBA/N female x BALB/c male)F1 male nonresponding mice in which low dose paralysis had been induced. Evidence is presented which indicates that such suppression is of host rather than donor cell origin. The capacity to develop low-dose paralysis, a phenomenon that is antigen specific and has been attributed to the action of suppressor T cells, indicates that nonresponding (CBA/N female x BALB/c male) F1 males (and presumably the CBA/N progenitor strain) have the ability to recognize this antigen. Furthermore, since these animals fail to make a serum antibody response to SSS-III, the signal that activates suppressor T cells cannot be circulating antibody or antigen-antibody complexes. These findings are most consistent with the view that low-dose paralysis of the response to SSS-III is not dependent on antibody-mediated feedback inhibition; rather, it is an active process mediated by suppressor T cells.     

Allogeneic matings and immunization have different effects on nulliparous and multiparous mice

CBA/J female mice have a high rate of spontaneous fetal loss when mated with DBA/2 males. We have confirmed that this fetal resorption rate can be significantly reduced by immunizing the female with C57BL rather than DBA leukocytes. The current studies have been extended to show the effect of continued immunization into second pregnancies. Three new findings emerge: second pregnancies in unimmunized CBA/J females X DBA/2 males proceed with a low percentage of spontaneous resorptions; continued immunization of multigravid, multiparous mice is associated with a high percentage of late onset fetal resorptions; and comparison of sex ratios between treated and untreated pregnancies showed no significant shift. These results suggest that untreated CBA/J females mated to DBA/2 males can be immunized to trophoblast antigens during first pregnancies, and that such immunization leads to "normal" reproductive outcome in subsequent untreated pregnancies. Persistent immunization with leukocytes appears to increase the percentage of fetal wastage in subsequent pregnancies regardless of whether the mother receives paternal or nonpaternal leukocytes. Intentional chronic immunization with male leukocytes does not influence the sex ratio of viable offspring. These data are discussed with reference to immunotherapy for women who suffer unexplained, recurrent spontaneous abortions.     

Traits That Influence Longevity in Mice: A Second Look

Analysis of genetic interactions in the F2 of an intercross of (C57BL/6 x DBA/2) F1J revealed influences of genetic factors on life span. Females lived longer than males. Dilute brown females died sooner than females of other colors. H-2b/H-2b males died sooner than H-2b/H-2d or H-2d/H-2d males, except that among dilute brown males those of typeH-2b/H-2d died sooner. Cluster analysis suggested that male and female genotypes each fall into two groups, with female dilute brown mice having shorter lives than other females, and male H-2b/H-2b mice except dilute brown and dilute brown H-2b/H-2d mice having shorter lives than other males. The association of heterozygosity with life span was clearer in females than in males, yet the longest-lived female genotype was homozygous H-2d/H-2d, of dominant Black phenotype at the Brown locus of chromosome 4, and homozygous dd at the Dilute locus of chromosome 9. The shortest-lived females were dilute brown H-2b/H-2b. The longest-lived and shortest-lived male genotypes were dilute brown H-2d/H-2d and dilute brown H-2b/H-2d, respectively. Although histological findings at postmortem differed between the sexes, there was no association of particular disorders with other genetic markers. The importance of H-2 in males was confirmed, but the allelic effects were perturbed, possibly by the absence of Sendai infection in this experiment. Overall our studies suggest that genetic influences on life span involve interactions between loci, and allelic interactions may change with viral infections or other environmental factors.     

Neonatal tolerance induction in the thymus to MHC-class II-associated antigens. I. Preferential induction of tolerance to Mls antigens and resistance to allo-MHC antigens

Neonatal tolerance inducibility of self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-class II-associated antigens was compared with that of allo-class II antigens. BALB/c (H-2d, Mlsb) mice, less than 24 hr after birth, were intravenously injected with bone marrow cells of either (BALB/c X DBA/2)F1 (H-2d, Mlsb/a, semiallogeneic at the Mls locus) or (BALB/c X B10.BR)F1 (H-2d/k, Mlsb; semiallogeneic at the MHC), as antigens. The mice were tested for in vivo immune activity of class II-reactive T cells by means of the popliteal lymph node-swelling assay. They developed tolerance, irrespective of type of antigens, showing profoundly suppressed host-versus-graft reaction, and those tolerized to the allo-MHC antigens accepted skin grafts of the corresponding allogeneic mice. In the thymus and spleen of the Mls-tolerant mice, antigen-specific class II-reactive T-cell activity was completely abolished, without the apparent involvement of suppressor cells. In contrast, the activity in allo-MHC-tolerant mice was not reduced in either thymus or peripheral lymphoid organs, suggesting that systemic hyporesponsiveness is attributable to reversible suppression of immune competent cells. The resistance for cell-level tolerance induction to allo-class II antigens may not be ascribed to the active participation of allo-MHC antigens in prevention of or in escape from tolerance induction or both, since an injection of bone marrow cells of both Mls and H-2-semiallogeneic (DBA/2 X B10.BR)F1 (H-2d/k, Mlsa/b) mice could induce tolerance to Mlsa-H-2d antigens in newborn thymus cells.     

Immunologic consequences of vaccination against abortion in mice

CBA/J female mice have a high rate of fetal resorption when mated with DBA/2J males. This fetal wastage can be dramatically reduced by immunizing the female with BALB/cJ but not DBA/2J spleen cells. We report here that immunization with BALB/cJ (but not DBA/2J) spleen cells leads to 1) anti-paternal MHC antibody that is predominantly of the IgG1 isotype, and which disappears from the serum during pregnancy; 2) increased active suppression in both the spleen and placenta; and 3) an ability to adoptively transfer the fetal protection and placental suppression with serum from the immunized mice. Congenic absorption studies before adoptive transfer indicate that the active component of the serum is also directed against the paternal MHC haplotype. These results indicate that maternal humoral immunity can lead to increased fetal protection in correlation with local active suppression in the placenta. They also suggest an expansion of the placental immunoabsorbent hypothesis to include the induction of active suppression against maternal cell-mediated immunity.