Possible induction of murine miscarriages through activation of DEC-205+ dendritic cells by glycolipid antigens

Objective: We have recently reported that the imbalance between two distinct types of dendritic cells (DCs), DEC-205+ DCs and 33D1+ DCs, causes the murine abortion (Immunobiol., 217:951, 2012). It has been reported that the activation of type I invariant NKT (iNKT) cells could also induce murine abortion. We have detected the accumulation of DEC-205+ DCs as well as iNKT cells at the sites of murine miscarriages induced by the injection of glycolipid antigen, α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a ligand for CD1d-restricted iNKT cells.
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Source Type: research