Cytochrome c injection induced embryo loss.

Cytochrome has been used as first-aid in the clinic for organs which are lacking oxygen. But recent report show cytochrome injection destroys dendritic cells (DCs) which play a pivotal role in feto-maternal tolerance. However, it is not clear whether cytochrome injection causes abortion. The cytochrome was injected by tail vein of mice at the Day 5.5 of pregnancy (E5.5) after mating with male BALB/c mice. The total number of implantations and resorption sites was recorded at the E12.5 in pregnant mice. Expression of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis-α interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, IL-12 and transforming growth factor-β in the mouse endometrium was measured by ELISA. Injection of cytochrome via tail vein at the E5.5 induced fetal resorption at E12.5, and evoked an immune imbalance at the maternal-fetal interface. Notably, injection of mouse bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) rescued the cytochrome evoked embryo resorption. The present study suggests cytochrome injection causes embryo resorption in mice, hinting caution regarding the use of cytochrome c in pregnant women. In addition, it may provide an easy and novel way to establish a mouse model of abortion.HighlightsCytochrome injection induced fetal rejection.Cytochrome injection leads to a T helper 1/T helper 2 imbalance at the maternal-fetal interface.A mouse model of abortion was established by injecting tail vein with cytochrome .