No abstract

Problem-Recurrent immune-associated miscarriages in humans are thought to result from maternal immune responses to paternal alloantigens. We investigated the role of paternal alloantigens in a mouse model of immune-dependent abortion. Results-Neither hemizygous paternal allogeneic loci nor homozygous allogeneic loci, including a haplotype-mismatched major histocompatibility complex (MHC), increased abortion frequencies. Method of study- Conclusion-Resultssuggested that mechanisms for maternal tolerance of paternal alloantigens, including mismatched MHC antigens, were intact in these pregnancies, yet maternal immunedependent paternal antigen-independent abortion of mutants occurred. These data indicate that, in some cases of immune-mediated abortions, the presence of paternal alloantigens can be coincidental and superfluous to the compromising rejection response.