Role of human non-invariant NKT lymphocytes in the maintenance of type 2 T helper environment during pregnancy

The molecular and cellular mechanisms that generate the Th2 cytokine environment necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy are still not fully understood. We herein show that the human decidua is highly enriched for TCRαβ+CD161+ NKT cells. They express non-invariant antigen receptors encoded by div...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International immunology 2008-03, Vol.20 (3), p.405-412
Main Authors: Uemura, Yasushi, Suzuki, Motoharu, Liu, Tian-Yi, Narita, Yayoi, Hirata, Shinya, Ohyama, Hideki, Ishihara, Osamu, Matsushita, Sho
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CD1
CD56 Antigen - immunology
Cell Line
Cells, Cultured
Decidua - cytology
Decidua - immunology
Female
Gene Expression Regulation
human
Humans
Natural Killer T-Cells - immunology
NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B - immunology
NKT cells
pregnancy
Pregnancy - immunology
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta - genetics
Th2 Cells - immunology
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Summary:The molecular and cellular mechanisms that generate the Th2 cytokine environment necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy are still not fully understood. We herein show that the human decidua is highly enriched for TCRαβ+CD161+ NKT cells. They express non-invariant antigen receptors encoded by diverse TCRVα- and Vβ-chain gene segments, thereby referred to as non-invariant NKT (non-iNKT) cells. In spite of their diverse TCR expression, they do not recognize fetal allo-antigens but specifically responded to CD1d-transfected cell lines. In contrast to the peripheral blood non-iNKT cells, the decidua-residing non-iNKT cells had a marked Th2 bias. In addition, they suppress the mixed leukocyte reaction directed against the paternal antigens. The Th2 cytokines have been known to stimulate trophoblast outgrowth and invasion. Thereby, the non-iNKT cells residing in the decidual tissue may have a functionally important interaction with the villous and extravillous trophoblast cells expressing CD1d and may therefore play a pivotal role in successful pregnancy by inhibiting fetal rejection and enhancing placental growth. These findings may reflect one mechanism that is an essential component for the Th2 environment necessary for the maintenance of pregnancy.
ISSN:0953-8178
1460-2377
DOI:10.1093/intimm/dxn001