Decidual Natural Killer Cells: A Good Nanny at the Maternal-Fetal Interface During Early Pregnancy

Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells are the tissue-resident and major subpopulation of NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface. It has been demonstrated that dNK cells play pivotal roles in pregnancy, including keeping maternal-fetal immune tolerance, promoting extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in immunology 2021-05, Vol.12, p.663660-663660
Main Authors: Liu, Yuefang, Gao, Shujun, Zhao, Yangjing, Wang, Hui, Pan, Qiong, Shao, Qixiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomarkers
Cell Communication
Cytokines - metabolism
Decidua - immunology
Decidua - metabolism
decidual natural killer cells
Disease Susceptibility
early pregnancy
extravillous trophoblast cells
Female
functional dialogue
Humans
Immune Tolerance
Immunology
Immunophenotyping
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Killer Cells, Natural - metabolism
Maternal-Fetal Exchange
maternal-fetal interface
Placenta - immunology
Placenta - metabolism
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Trophoblasts - metabolism
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Summary:Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells are the tissue-resident and major subpopulation of NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface. It has been demonstrated that dNK cells play pivotal roles in pregnancy, including keeping maternal-fetal immune tolerance, promoting extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell invasion, and driving uterine spiral artery remodeling. However, the molecular mechanisms haven't been elucidated until recent years. In this review, we systemically introduce the generation, subsets, and surface or soluble molecules of dNK cells, which are critical for maintaining the functions of dNK cells. Further, new functions of dNK cells including well-controlled cytotoxicity, immunosurveillance and immunotrophism supporting the cell-cell interaction between dNK cells and EVT cells are mainly focused. The molecular mechanisms involved in these functions are also illustrated. Moreover, pregnancy-associated diseases caused by the dNK cells abnormalities are discussed. It will be important for future investigations about the mechanism of maintenance of pregnancy and parturition and potential clinical applications of dNK cells.
ISSN:1664-3224
1664-3224
DOI:10.3389/fimmu.2021.663660