Inhibition of Interleukin-10 During Pregnancy Results in Neonatal Growth Retardation

• Published in: American journal of reproductive immunology (1989) 1997-03, Vol.37 (3), p.232-235
• Main Authors: RIJHSINGHANI, ASHA G., THOMPSON, KRISTIN, TYGRETTE, LORRAINE, BHATIA, SUDERSHAN K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Antibodies, Monoclonal - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Birth Weight - drug effects; Cell Differentiation - immunology; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation - etiology; Fetal Growth Retardation - immunology; Fetuses; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gestation; Growth rate; Interleukin 10; Interleukin-10 - antagonists & inhibitors; Interleukin-10 - immunology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Monoclonal antibodies; Mother. Fetoplacental unit. Mammary gland. Milk; neonatal growth; Neonates; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation; Risk factors; Survival; T-Lymphocytes - cytology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Thymus Gland - immunology; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 1046-7408; 8755-8920; 1600-0897
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1997.tb00220.x

PROBLEM: Interleukin 10 is considered to be important in the survival of the fetus in murine pregnancies that are known to be at risk for fetal wastage. The function of IL‐10 in a normal pregnancy is not known. METHODS: In this report, we attempted to neutralize Interleukin 10 by administering anti IL‐10 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to pregnant mice that have a low background risk for fetal resorptions. The first group of mice was sacrificed on gestation day 18 to study the fetal effects of anti IL‐10 administration. The second group of mice was allowed to deliver to study the effects on the neonatal outcome. RESULTS: Administration of anti IL‐10 mAb did not affect the duration of gestation or the fetal outcome. Neonates exposed to anti IL‐10 mAb in utero showed signs of transient growth deficiency starting at 4 weeks of age that spontaneously corrected by 6 weeks of age. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of anti IL‐10 mAb does not alter the duration of gestation or the fetal outcome in normal murine pregnancies; however, it appears to be associated with transient neonatal growth problems.