Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Monika Baczkowska, Magdalena Zgliczynska, Jan Faryna, Ewa Przytula, Blazej Nowakowski, Michal Ciebiera
Summary: Placental abruption, a rare perinatal complication, involves the separation of the placenta from the uterus lining before childbirth, posing serious consequences and a high risk of maternal and fetal mortality. Disruption of immunological processes on the maternal-fetal interface plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of this condition, requiring further research to fully understand this complex process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Oisin Huhn, Xiaohui Zhao, Laura Esposito, Ashley Moffett, Francesco Colucci, Andrew M. Sharkey
Summary: Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most abundant immune cells in the uterine mucosa before and during pregnancy, with tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells and ILCs being the main subsets. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing and high dimensional flow and mass cytometry have significantly enhanced our understanding of the heterogeneity within the uILC compartment. These advancements may help answer key clinical questions regarding infertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy disorders related to uILC subsets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Celeste Coleman, Lara A. Doyle-Meyers, Kasi E. Russell-Lodrigue, Nadia Golden, Breanna Threeton, Kejing Song, Genevieve Pierre, Carl Baribault, Rudolf P. Bohm, Nicholas J. Maness, Jay K. Kolls, Jay Rappaport, Joseph C. Mudd
Summary: Understanding immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for vaccine and treatment development. This study analyzed blood transcriptome profiles at different timepoints in monkeys infected with SARS-CoV-2, revealing coordinated transcriptional changes early in infection. Pathway analysis showed regulation of interferon-stimulated genes and differences in neutrophil response between monkey species.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Dennis Yuezen, Petra Clara Arck, Kristin Thiele
Summary: The understanding of immune system organization has been challenged recently, as it was found that immune cells can reside in tissues instead of circulating. However, research on tissue-resident immunity in the female reproductive tract is lacking. This review focuses on the characteristics and functional roles of tissue-resident immune cells in the vagina, endometrium, decidua, and highlights their importance in reproductive health.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juliette Krop, Anita van der Zwan, Marieke E. Ijsselsteijn, Hanneke Kapsenberg, Sietse J. Luk, Sanne H. Hendriks, Carin van der Keur, Lotte J. Verleng, Antonis Somarakis, Lotte van der Meeren, Geert Haasnoot, Manon Bos, Noel F. C. C. de Miranda, Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes, Marie-Louise P. van der Hoorn, Frits Koning, Frans H. J. Claas, Sebastiaan Heidt, Michael Eikmans
Summary: This study highlights the dynamic role of myeloid cells at the human maternal-fetal interface throughout gestation.
Review
Immunology
Vyshnavi A. A. Rao, Noble K. K. Kurian, Kamini A. A. Rao
Summary: This review explores the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in implantation and their impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes. The functions of uNK cells are not fully understood, but their activity is crucial during immunomodulation in the early stages of pregnancy. Altered uNK cell activity can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, and T regulatory cells and cytokines also play a role in successful implantation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ee Von Woon, Orene Greer, Nishel Shah, Dimitrios Nikolaou, Mark Johnson, Victoria Male
Summary: Studies have found significantly increased levels of uterine natural killer cells in women with recurrent miscarriage and recurrent implantation failure, which may contribute to implantation or placental development failure. While results on cytokine secretion varied among studies, most research indicated lower expression of inhibitory receptors and higher expression of angiogenic factors in women with recurrent miscarriage.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION UPDATE
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Enitome E. Bafor, Julio C. Valencia, Howard A. Young
Summary: The immune regulation of female reproductive function plays a crucial role in fertility, disruptions in immune tolerance can lead to autoimmune subfertility or infertility. Double negative T regulatory cells (DNTregs) are emerging as effector cells capable of mediating immune tolerance in the female reproductive system, potentially providing a paradigm shift from the known roles of conventional regulatory T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mihai Surcel, Iulia Adina Neamtiu, Daniel Muresan, Iulian Goidescu, Adelina Staicu, Monica Mihaela Marta, Georgiana Nemeti, Radu Harsa, Bogdan Doroftei, Mihai Emil Capilna, Gabriela Caracostea
Summary: There is increasing evidence that endometrial immune disorders may be responsible for gynecological and obstetrical pathology. This study explored the potential relationship between different killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotypes and reproductive outcomes, and found that the KIR AA genotype population subgroups may be more susceptible to developing chronic endometritis.
Article
Microbiology
Wellington Z. Amaral, Gabriele R. Lubach, Danielle N. Rendina, Gregory J. Phillips, Mark Lyte, Christopher L. Coe
Summary: Vaginal and rectal specimens were collected from rhesus monkeys at different stages of their reproductive cycle to investigate pregnancy-related changes in their commensal bacteria. The results showed significant differences in vaginal bacterial composition during mid-gestation, while no changes were observed in the hindgut. Further analysis confirmed the stability of gut bacterial composition until late gestation, when certain Firmicutes became more prominent. The study also found that progesterone levels were associated with specific taxa changes in bacterial composition.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mengni Shen, Elizabeth O'Donnell, Gabriela Leon, Ana Kisovar, Pedro Melo, Krina Zondervan, Ingrid Granne, Jennifer Southcombe
Summary: This study compares the similarities and differences in endometrial B cells between normal human endometrium and benign reproductive pathologies. The study found that B cells are present in both normal endometrium and benign pathologies, but their relative abundance and phenotypes vary, and the current evidence is inconsistent. A detailed study of endometrial B cells helps us better understand their function in the endometrial mucosal immune environment.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION OPEN
(2022)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Rupsha Fraser, Ana Claudia Zenclussen
Summary: NK cells play an important role in the immune regulation of the uterus and have different functional phenotypes during different stages of the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. The transient secretory-stage dNK cells have a unique angiodevelopmental profile, while abnormal transition into the angiomodulatory dNK phenotype in early pregnancy leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Shin-ichi Hayama, Yuki Kawabata, Aoi Ochi, Setsuko Nakanishi, Yoshi Kawamoto, Hideharu Yamazaki
Summary: This study revealed that the pregnancy rate of Japanese monkeys on the northernmost Shimokita Peninsula is 40.9%, with a mean conception date of November 4th. The estimated mean birth date was April 25th, over two weeks earlier than previously observed, possibly due to global warming caused by climate change.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2021)