Modulation of T-cell reactivity during equine pregnancy is antigen independent.
Abstract: Pregnant mares demonstrate a reduction in cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) reactivity against cells from the breeding stallion. We investigated whether this effect is limited to activity against paternal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, and whether it occurs during MHC-compatible pregnancy. Methods: Mares were mated to carry MHC-compatible or MHC-incompatible pregnancies. CTL activity of these mares when pregnant and non-pregnant was measured against cells from horses with MHC haplotypes unrelated to the mare or breeding stallion. Results: While carrying MHC-incompatible pregnancies, mares demonstrated reduced CTL activity against lymphocytes from third-party horses in addition to those from the breeding stallion. This effect was also observed in mares carrying MHC-compatible pregnancies. Conclusions: The decrease in maternal T-cell reactivity characteristic of normal equine pregnancy is not restricted to paternal alloantigen, and occurs during MHC-matched matings. This suggests that antigen-independent mechanisms may be responsible for this reduction in cell-mediated immune activity.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Publication Date: 2012-05-15 PubMed ID: 22587222DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01154.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research study investigates the relationship between pregnancy in mares and the decrease in activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), specifically against cells from the stallion and third-party horses. The study suggests an antigen-independent mechanism may be behind this reduction in cell-mediated immune activity during pregnancy, regardless of whether the pregnancy is MHC-compatible or incompatible.
Research Methodology and Design
- The researchers selected mares for the study which were mated to carry out either MHC-compatible or MHC-incompatible pregnancies.
- The team gauged the CTL activity of these mares both during and outside pregnancy. This activity was measured against cells from horses with MHC genotypes unrelated to the breeding stallion or the mare itself.
Results of the Study
- During their period of MHC-incompatible pregnancies, mares displayed reduced CTL activity against lymphocytes originating from unrelated or third-party horses, along with those from the breeding stallion.
- This reduction in CTL activity was also seen in mares who were involved in MHC-compatible pregnancies.
Conclusions Drawn from the Study
- The characteristic decrease in the mother’s T-cell reactivity, commonly seen during equine pregnancies, is not confined to paternal alloantigen only.
- This reduced cell-mediated immunity occurs even during MHC-matched pregnancies. This points towards an antigen-independent pathway possibly being involved in leading this reduction in immune activity.
Implications of the Study
- The observable lower T cell reactivity in pregnant mares, regardless of the MHC compatibility with the stallion, may imply a broader adaptation of the maternal immune system during pregnancy.
- This might also help in further research into immune tolerance during pregnancy, and how variation in the immune response during pregnancy could possibly affect miscarriage rates, vulnerability to diseases, as well as the health of the baby.
Cite This Article
APA
Noronha LE, Antczak DF.
(2012).
Modulation of T-cell reactivity during equine pregnancy is antigen independent.
Am J Reprod Immunol, 68(2), 107-115.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01154.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / physiology
- Female
- Horses
- Immune Tolerance
- Isoantigens / immunology
- Male
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / immunology
- T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity / immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
Grant Funding
- F32 HD055794 / NICHD NIH HHS
- R01 HD049545 / NICHD NIH HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Antczak DF, Allen WRT. Placentation in Equids. Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 2021;234:91-128.
- Berglund AK, Long JM, Robertson JB, Schnabel LV. TGF-β2 Reduces the Cell-Mediated Immunogenicity of Equine MHC-Mismatched Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Without Altering Immunomodulatory Properties. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021;9:628382.
- Stasiak K, Dunowska M, Rola J. Outbreak of equid herpesvirus 1 abortions at the Arabian stud in Poland. BMC Vet Res 2020 Oct 6;16(1):374.
- Brosnahan MM, Silvela EJ, Crumb J, Miller DC, Erb HN, Antczak DF. Ectopic Trophoblast Allografts in the Horse Resist Destruction by Secondary Immune Responses. Biol Reprod 2016 Dec;95(6):135.
- Antczak DF, de Mestre AM, Wilsher S, Allen WR. The equine endometrial cup reaction: a fetomaternal signal of significance. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2013 Jan;1:419-42.
- Rapacz-Leonard A, Dąbrowska M, Janowski T. Major histocompatibility complex I mediates immunological tolerance of the trophoblast during pregnancy and may mediate rejection during parturition. Mediators Inflamm 2014;2014:579279.
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