Immunological Characterization of Superantigen‐induced Intrauterine Fetal and Newborn Death

Problem The present study characterizes the immunological responses induced by superantigen and the underlying pathological mechanism using T‐cell receptor‐transgenic mice (TCR‐Tg) to enable the ligand toxic shock syndrome toxin‐1 (TSST‐1) to induce a cytokine storm. Method of study Three kinds of pregnant mice which could respond to TSST‐1 at various levels were injected with TSST‐1 on gestation day 17.5 and then the incidence of fetal/newborn death, production of cytokines including serum interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) and the histological status of the placenta were examined on day 18.5. Results The incidence of fetal/newborn death and the concentrations of cytokines such as IL‐2 were higher in TCR‐Tg mother than those in other strains of mice. Pathological examinations revealed that the placenta was congestive and apoptotic in TCR‐Tg mice. Conclusions Superantigen injection into pregnant mice appears to increase the incidence of fetal/newborn death through an IL‐2‐dependent immunological pathway.