Figure 2.

The abortion mediated by α-GalCer-activated Vα14 NKT cells. Pregnant B6 (A), Vα14 NKT-KO (B), perforin-KO (C), IFN-γ-KO (D), and TNF-α-KO (E) mice were administrated α-GalCer or control vehicle on day 6 of gestation. Three days later, pregnant mice were sacrificed and the numbers of living or resorbing embryos were counted. A representative macroscopic view of uteri in each experimental group is shown. The number of aborted fetuses per number of total fetuses is summarized and shown with each image. In A, a representative photographic view of hemosiderin deposition indicating the implantation of fertilized egg in the uterine epithelium of B6 mice is also shown (arrows, Inset).