Uterine NK cells: active regulators at the maternal-fetal interface

Pregnancy presents an immunological conundrum because two genetically different individuals coexist. The maternal lymphocytes at the uterine maternal-fetal interface that can recognize mismatched placental cells are T cells and abundant distinctive uterine NK (uNK) cells. Multiple mechanisms exist t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of clinical investigation 2014-05, Vol.124 (5), p.1872-1879
Main Authors: Moffett, Ashley, Colucci, Francesco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy & physiology
Animals
Antigens
Biomedical research
Female
Fetuses
Genetic diversity
Humans
Immune system
Killer cells
Killer Cells, Natural - cytology
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Ligands
Lymphocytes
Physiological aspects
Physiological research
Placenta - cytology
Placenta - immunology
Placentation - immunology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy - immunology
Review
Uterus - cytology
Uterus - immunology
Veins & arteries
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Summary:Pregnancy presents an immunological conundrum because two genetically different individuals coexist. The maternal lymphocytes at the uterine maternal-fetal interface that can recognize mismatched placental cells are T cells and abundant distinctive uterine NK (uNK) cells. Multiple mechanisms exist that avoid damaging T cell responses to the fetus, whereas activation of uNK cells is probably physiological. Indeed, genetic epidemiological data suggest that the variability of NK cell receptors and their MHC ligands define pregnancy success; however, exactly how uNK cells function in normal and pathological pregnancy is still unclear, and any therapies aimed at suppressing NK cells must be viewed with caution. Allorecognition of fetal placental cells by uNK cells is emerging as the key maternal-fetal immune mechanism that regulates placentation.
ISSN:0021-9738
1558-8238
DOI:10.1172/JCI68107