NK Cells and Pregnancy

In: Medical Intelligence Unit · 2007 · pp. 84–95 · doi:10.1007/0-387-34944-8_8 · W74557713
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Uterine natural killer cells, distinct from blood NK cells, interact with trophoblasts and influence pregnancy outcomes, with altered numbers linked to reproductive disorders.

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This paper/chapter reviews natural killer (NK) cells in the uterus and decidua, focusing on how uterine NK cell numbers, phenotype, chemokine-driven recruitment, and cytokine interactions with fetal-derived trophoblasts influence normal pregnancy and reproductive disorders. It describes evidence that uterine NK cells differ from blood NK cells due to the tissue microenvironment, and highlights identified chemokines from endometrium and trophoblasts that may recruit NK cells, as well as a role for uterine NK cytokines in vascular remodeling during placental development. A stated limitation is that it is a knowledge summary rather than new experimental work, so conclusions integrate prior studies with inherent variability. Relevance to endometriosis: the chapter explicitly cites altered NK cell receptor expression/activity in adenomyosis and pelvic endometriosis as associated clinical conditions, alongside other pregnancy-related disorders.

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Abstract

Natural killer cells are found in large numbers in the endometrium and decidua, and data suggest that NK cell functions and interactions with fetal-derived trophoblasts can have a profound impact on pregnancy. Altered NK cell numbers and activity have been associated with a variety of clinical conditions such as endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia. Uterine NK cells have a unique phenotype compared to blood NK cells and this is likely due to the specific tissue environment in which they reside. Specific chemokines produced by human endometrium and trophoblasts have been identified that may be responsible for recruitment of NK cells. Uterine NK cells can produce cytokines and may be an important part of vascular remodelling during placenta! development. This chapter summarizes current knowledge of NK cells in the uterus and their role in pregnancy and reproductive disorders. Preview Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF. Similar content being viewed by others

References

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Author information Authors and Affiliations Editor information Editors and Affiliations Rights and permissions Copyright information © 2006 Eurekah.com and Springer Science + Business Media About this chapter Cite this chapter Eriksson, M., Basu, S., Sentman, C.L. (2006). NK Cells and Pregnancy. In: Mor, G. (eds) Immunology of Pregnancy. Medical Intelligence Unit. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-34944-8_8 Download citation DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-34944-8_8 Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY Print ISBN: 978-0-387-30612-4 Online ISBN: 978-0-387-34944-2 eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)

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- Natural Killer Cell - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss - Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion - Human Endometrium - Spiral Artery These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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