An Estrogen-NK Cells Regulatory Axis in Endometriosis, Related Infertility, and Miscarriage

Shao‐Liang Yang, Shaoliang Yang, Haiyan Wang, Da‐Jin Li, Ming‐Qing Li
International journal of molecular sciences · 2024 · vol. 25(6) , pp. 3362 · doi:10.3390/ijms25063362 · PMID:38542336 · PMC10970045 · W4392920963
review OA: gold CC0 ⤵ 13 in-corpus citations
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This review examines how estrogen affects the regulatory role of NK cells in endometriosis, their contribution to infertility, and their involvement in pregnancy loss.

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Abstract

Endometriosis is a common estrogen-dependent condition that impacts 8-10% of women in their reproductive age, resulting in notable pain, morbidity, and infertility. Despite extensive research endeavors, the precise cause of endometriosis remains elusive, and the mechanisms contributing to its associated infertility are still not well comprehended. Natural killer (NK) cells, vital innate immune cells crucial for successful pregnancy, have been investigated for their potential involvement in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Prior research has mainly concentrated on the diminished cytotoxicity of NK cells in endometrial fragments that evade the uterus. Interestingly, accumulating evidence suggests that NK cells play multifaceted roles in regulating the biology of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), promoting local immune tolerance, influencing endometrial receptivity, oocyte development, and embryo implantation, thereby contributing to infertility and miscarriage in patients with endometriosis. In this comprehensive review, our goal is to summarize the current literature and provide an overview of the implications of NK cells in endometriosis, especially concerning infertility and pregnancy loss, under the influence of estrogen.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Abortion, Spontaneous Endometriosis Endometriosis Endometriosis

Citation neighborhood

Papers in the corpus that this work cites (lower rings, blue) and that cite this one (upper rings, green). Dot size scales with the paper's in-corpus citation count — bigger dot = more influential within the endo/adeno field. Click a dot to open that paper. [ expand to 2 hops ] — adds papers reached through this work's immediate citers/citees. Heavier; up to 60 extra dots.

References (100)

Cited by (13)

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License: CC0 · commercial use OK