Unique characteristics of NK cells throughout the human female reproductive tract

• Published in: Clinical Immunology 2007-07, Vol.124 (1), p.69-76
• Main Authors: Mselle, Teddy F, Meadows, Sarah K, Eriksson, Mikael, Smith, Jennifer M, Shen, Lilian, Wira, Charles R, Sentman, Charles L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Allergy and Immunology; Antigens, CD - analysis; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte - analysis; Antigens, Surface - immunology; Antigens, Surface - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; CD16; CD56 Antigen - analysis; CD9; Cervix; Fallopian tube; Female; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Genitalia, Female - cytology; Genitalia, Female - immunology; Humans; Immunity, Innate - immunology; Innate immunity; Killer Cells, Natural - cytology; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Lectins, C-Type; Leukocyte Common Antigens - analysis; Medical sciences; Membrane Glycoproteins - analysis; Middle Aged; Mucosal immunity; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D - analysis; NK cell subsets; Receptors, IgG - analysis; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Tetraspanin-29
• ISSN: 1521-6616; 1521-7035; 1365-2567
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2007.04.008

Abstract In this study, we have analyzed the presence and subsets of NK cells throughout the tissues of the FRT. We demonstrate that there are NK cells in the various FRT tissues and that their phenotype and regulation are largely dependent upon the FRT tissue where they reside. NK cells in the Fallopian tube, endometrium, cervix, and ectocervix expressed CD9 while blood NK cells did not. We have also found that unique subsets of NK cells are in specific locations of the FRT. The NK cells in the lower reproductive tract did not express CD94, but they did express CD16. In contrast, NK cells in the upper FRT express high amounts of CD94 and CD69, but few NK cells expressed CD16. All of these FRT NK cells were able to produce IFN-γ upon stimulation with cytokines. Furthermore, the number of NK cells varied with the menstrual cycle in the endometrium but not in the cervix or ectocervix. These data suggest that unique characteristics of the tissues may account of specific localization of different NK cell subsets.