Liaison between natural killer cells and dendritic cells in human gestation

• Published in: Cellular & molecular immunology 2014-09, Vol.11 (5), p.449-455
• Main Author: Ester Leno-Duran Raquel Mufioz-Fernfindez Enrique Garcia Olivares Irene Tirado-GonzAlez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation; Antibodies; Antigens; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; CD56 antigen; CD56 Antigen - metabolism; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Cell Communication; Cell differentiation; DC-SIGN protein; Decidua; Dendritic cells; Dendritic Cells - immunology; Female; Fetuses; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Immunological tolerance; Immunology; Immunomodulation; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Lectins, C-Type - metabolism; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Natural killer cells; Pregnancy; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Review; Uterus; Uterus - immunology; Vaccine; 免疫细胞; 免疫耐受; 早期妊娠; 树突状细胞; 树突细胞; 细胞类型; 联络; 自然杀伤细胞
• ISSN: 1672-7681; 2042-0226
• DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2014.36

A successful pregnancy relies on immunological adaptations that allow the fetus to grow and develop in the uterus, despite being recognized by maternal immune cells. Among several immunocompetent cell types present within the human maternal/fetal interface, DC-SIGN~ dendritic cells （DCs） and CD56＋ natural killer （NK） cells are of major importance for early pregnancy maintenance, not only generating maternal immunological tolerance but also regulating stromal cell differentiation. Previous reports show the presence of NK-DC cell conjugates in first trimester human decidua, suggesting that these cells may play a role in the modulation of the local immune response within the uterus. While effective immunity is necessary to protect the mother from harmful pathogens, some form of tolerance must be activated to avoid an immune response against fetal antigens. This review article discusses current evidence concerning the functions of DC and NK cells in pregnancy and their liaison in human decidua.