Human uterine natural killer cells: a reappraisal (original) (raw)
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Uterine natural killer cells and successful pregnancy: from mouse experiments to human physiology
Exploration of Immunology
Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, a specific type of natural killer (NK) cells, are important cells at the foeto-maternal interface in humans as well as in mice. uNK cells are part of the innate lymphoid cells group 1. Especially in the mouse, but also in the rat, many in vivo studies have been performed to evaluate the role of uNK cells in placental development. These studies have shown that uNK cells are not indispensable to pregnancy, but that they play an important role in optimal decidual angiogenesis in early pregnancy, trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodelling in the mouse placenta. Based on the mouse studies, various in vitro studies, as well as immunohistological studies of the human placenta from elective abortions, have shown that uNK cells have similar functions in the human placenta. In the present narrative review, the role of the uNK cells in the development of the mouse and rat placenta will be discussed first. Thereafter, studies on the role of human uNK ...
Review: Functional role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in human early pregnancy decidua
Placenta, 2010
Leukocytes comprise approximately 30-40% of decidual stromal cells in early human pregnancy. The major leukocyte component is the uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Despite over 20 years of research the functional role of these cells in situ remains unknown although they have been proposed to play roles in immunotolerance, regulation of trophoblast invasion and remodeling of the spiral arteries. Herein we review the functional roles of this important decidual cell type.
Role of Natural Killer Cells during Pregnancy and Related Complications
Biomolecules, 2022
A high number of leucocytes reside in the human endometrium and are distributed differentially during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. During early pregnancy, decidual natural killer (dNK) cells are the most common type of natural killer (NK) cells in the uterus. The increase in the number of uterine NK (uNK) cells during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, followed by further increase of dNK cells in early pregnancy, has heightened interest in their involvement during pregnancy. Extensive research has revealed various roles of dNK cells during pregnancy including the formation of new blood vessels, migration of trophoblasts, and immunological tolerance. The present review article is focused on the significance of NK cells during pregnancy and their role in pregnancy-related diseases. The article will provide an in-depth review of cellular and molecular interactions during pregnancy and related disorders, with NK cells playing a pivotal role. Moreover, this study will ...
A Review of Trafficking and Activation of Uterine Natural Killer Cells
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2005
PROBLEM-Enrichment of uterine Natural Killer (uNK) cells occurs during pregnancy in many species. However, functions of uNK cells and regulation of their uterine homing are not fully defined. In mice and women, uNK cells contribute to angiogenesis, a role reviewed here and now addressed in a mammal with an alternative placental type.
…, 2003
In primates, including women, and in rodents, Natural Killer lymphocytes (NK cells) have a unique relationship with the decidualizing uterus. Implantation sites from genetically-modified and transplanted mice have proven useful models for understanding potential mechanisms involved in recruitment, activation and functions of human CD56 bright uterine (u)NK cells. Key findings are reviewed. In mice, uNK precursor cells are recruited from secondary lymphoid tissues and are activated coincident with their uterine arrival. UNK cells proliferate, produce cytokines (interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukins (IL)-18 and IL-27), and terminally differentiate into granulated lymphocytes. Many uNK cells proliferate within the myometrium at each implantation site forming a structure, the mesometrial lymphoid aggregate of pregnancy (MLAp) that surrounds blood vessels servicing each placenta. Post-mitotic uNK cells are abundant within decidua basalis; frequently (>25%) associating with spiral arteries, intramurally and intralumenally. From midgestation, uNK cell numbers decline. Studies of implantation sites in mice lacking uNK cells, IFN-γ, components of IFN-γ-induction and-signalling pathways or IFN-γ-regulated genes, indicate that uNK cell-derived IFN-γ is essential in triggering pregnancy-induced spiral artery 1 Supported by Awards from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council, Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstétrique et gynécologie du Canada : JOGC, 2008
Adequate invasion of the human placenta during the first weeks of pregnancy is a critical step in ensuring both fetal and maternal health. A rapidly expanding body of evidence suggests that decidual natural killer (dNK) cells, a distinct population of CD56brightCD16- lymphocytes, are key regulators of this complex process. Experiments using murine models and in vitro evidence using human tissue cultures suggest that dNK cells modulate extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion and remodelling of maternal spiral arteries via both contact-dependent and contact-independent mechanisms. In addition, the differential expression of surface receptors by dNK cells may have a role in determining reproductive success through modulation of the maternal immune system at the time of implantation and placentation. The roles of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors secreted by dNK cells and their influence on EVT migration, invasion, and pseudovasculogenesis are of particular interest. We reviewed...