Natural Killer Cell Receptors and Endometriosis

Reis, José Lourenço, Rosa, Natacha Nurdine, Ângelo-Dias, Miguel, Martins, Catarina, Borrego, Luís Miguel, Lima, Jorge
2023 · W7093893705
review OA: green CC0
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This systematic review examines the role of natural killer cell receptors in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disorder defined by ectopic endometrial tissue. The authors analyzed 18 studies to determine how immune surveillance mechanisms fail to clear these cells from the peritoneal cavity. Key findings indicate that endometriosis is characterized by an overexpression of NK inhibitor receptors and ligands alongside a decrease in activating receptors, creating an immunosuppressive environment. This shift toward NK suppression appears to dictate the inability of women with the condition to eliminate endometriotic lesions effectively. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically focusing on the immunological mechanisms involving natural killer cell receptors in its development.

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Abstract

Funding: This work in the context of the “Women’s Health and Maternal & Fetal Research Group” was partially co-financed by Hospital da Luz Lisboa under the initiative “Luz Investigação”.
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| Nome: | Descrição: | Tamanho: | Formato: | | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1004.7 KB | Adobe PDF | Orientador(es) Resumo(s) Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, characterized by the presence of endometrial cells outside the uterine cavity. An increasing number of studies correlate the immune system with endometriosis, particularly NK receptors (NKR), which have been suggested to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. This systematic review aims to enlighten the role of NKR in endometriosis. A literature search was performed independently by two reviewers, to identify studies assessing the role of NKR in endometriosis. In total, 18 studies were included. Endometriosis pathogenesis seems to be marked by the overexpression of NK inhibitor receptors (KIRS), namely, CD158a+, KIR2DL1, CD94/NKG2A, PD-1, NKB1, and EB6, and inhibiting ligands such as PD-L1, HLA-E, HLA-G, and HLA-I. Concurrently, there is a decrease in NK-activating receptors and natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), such as NKp46, NKp30, and NKG2D. The immune shift from NK surveillance to NK suppression is also apparent in the greater relative number of ITIM domains compared with ITAM domains in NKRs. In conclusion, NK receptor activity seems to dictate the immunocompetency of women to clear endometriotic cells from the peritoneal cavity. Future research could explore NKRs as therapeutic targets, such as that which is now well established in cancer therapy through immunotherapy. Descrição Funding: This work in the context of the “Women’s Health and Maternal & Fetal Research Group” was partially co-financed by Hospital da Luz Lisboa under the initiative “Luz Investigação”. Palavras-chave ectopic endometrium endometrioma endometriosis immune dysfunction natural killer cells (NK cells) NK inhibition NK receptors NK suppression Catalysis Molecular Biology Spectroscopy Computer Science Applications Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Organic Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

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endometriosis

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