Uterine and circulating natural killer cells and their roles in women with recurrent pregnancy loss, implantation failure and preeclampsia

Abstract The regulation of uterine and circulating peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with reproductive conditions including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), implantation failure and preeclampsia. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are unique markers that regulate NK ce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of reproductive immunology 2011-06, Vol.90 (1), p.105-110
Main Authors: Fukui, Atsushi, Funamizu, Ayano, Yokota, Megumi, Yamada, Kenichi, Nakamua, Rika, Fukuhara, Rie, Kimura, Hidetaka, Mizunuma, Hideki
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Abortion, Habitual - immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Movement
Cytokine
Cytokines
Cytotoxicity
decidua
Embryo Implantation
Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology
Endometrium
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Killer Cells, Natural - cytology
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Killer Cells, Natural - metabolism
Natural cytotoxicity receptor
Natural killer cells
NK cell
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Peripheral blood
Pre-eclampsia
Pre-Eclampsia - immunology
Preeclampsia
Pregnancy
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Reproductive failure
Uterus
Uterus - immunology
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Summary:Abstract The regulation of uterine and circulating peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with reproductive conditions including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), implantation failure and preeclampsia. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are unique markers that regulate NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. The role of NCRs in reproductive events has not yet been fully characterized. There is an NK1 (Type 1) shift in peripheral blood NK cells in non-pregnant women prone to RPL and implantation failure. The different profile of NCR expression in endometrial or aborted decidual NK cells suggests the presence of abnormal regulation of NK cells in women with reproductive failure. Women with a history of RPL and preeclampsia carry immunological abnormalities of NCRs on peripheral blood NK cells during pregnancy. Evaluation of NKp46 on peripheral blood NK cells may be applicable for the prediction of preeclampsia. The lower expression of NKp46+ NK cells in women with preeclampsia may account for the higher production of NK1 cytokines – known as the NK1 shift – in pregnant women with preeclampsia. In this review, the expression of NCRs in peripheral blood NK cells and endometrial or decidual NK cells is discussed in relation to reproductive failure.
ISSN:0165-0378
1872-7603
DOI:10.1016/j.jri.2011.04.006