Review
Immunology
Victoria Male, Ashley Moffett
Summary: The presence of granulated lymphocytes known as uNK cells in the human uterine mucosa was first noted in the nineteenth century, but they were identified as a type of NK cell in 1990. Uterine NK cells have been found to be less cytotoxic than their peripheral counterparts. Recent research has identified three subpopulations of uNK cells that cluster separately from peripheral NK cells. This review examines the history of uNK cell research, their interactions with placental cells, their role in placental implantation, and their potential for defending against infection and mediating memory effects.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Delphine M. Depierreux, Jens Kieckbusch, Norman Shreeve, Delia A. Hawkes, Bryan Marsh, Robert Blelloch, Andrew Sharkey, Francesco Colucci
Summary: Reproductive immunology focuses on understanding how the maternal immune system supports fetal growth. Maternal uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, in partnership with fetal trophoblast cells, regulate physiological vascular changes in the uterus to build the placenta and sustain fetal growth. The education of uNK cells by maternal MHC-I is crucial for optimal fetal growth.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Yuefang Liu, Shujun Gao, Yangjing Zhao, Hui Wang, Qiong Pan, Qixiang Shao
Summary: This review discusses the important roles of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells in pregnancy, highlighting their generation, subsets, surface or soluble molecules, and functions crucial for maintaining pregnancy. It also explores the new functions of dNK cells, such as controlled cytotoxicity, immunosurveillance, and immunotrophism, and the molecular mechanisms involved in these functions, emphasizing their potential clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Rodolfo R. Favaro, Katherine Phillips, Romane Delaunay-Danguy, Kaja Ujcic, Udo R. Markert
Summary: Members of the innate immune system, specifically innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), play important roles in the uterine environment, supporting pregnancy and placental development. These cells demonstrate immune memory, allowing them to remember previously encountered antigens and mount enhanced responses. By studying ILCs, we can gain insights into the immunological mechanisms underlying female fertility/infertility, placental development, and distinct outcomes in second pregnancies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tarique Hussain, Ghulam Murtaza, Dildar Hussain Kalhoro, Muhammad Saleem Kalhoro, Muhammad Ismail Chughtai, Anjaleena Yaseen
Summary: Pregnancy is a complex physiological process involving communication between the mother and fetus. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells form a significant population in the early pregnant uterus and play a crucial role in spiral artery remodeling, trophoblast invasion, and placental development. Limited research has been conducted on the importance of uNK cells in normal pregnancy and pregnancy-related issues. This review article focuses on the descriptive role of uNK cells in pregnancy complications and their interaction with other immune cell components, as well as the potential threat uNK cells may pose to pregnancy based on clinical evidence.
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yentl Louise Betty Nel Bequet, Eileen Elisabeth Lynn O'neill Lashley, Mariette Goddijn, Marie-Louise Petronella van der Hoorn
Summary: This narrative review provides a summary of the current knowledge on the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in recurrent pregnancy loss and potential treatment options. Uterine natural killer cells play a critical role in early gestation and implantation, and may hold answers for treatment choices. Properly designed and powered clinical trials are needed to gain more insight into the effects of treatment options on uNK cells.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Xiao-Wei Wei, Yu-Chen Zhang, Fan Wu, Fu-Ju Tian, Yi Lin
Summary: Uterine spiral artery remodeling plays a crucial role in successful pregnancy, which is regulated by uterine NK cells and extravillous trophoblasts.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Scott M. Gordon
Summary: Interleukin-15 plays a critical role in pregnancy by supporting the development, maintenance, and function of killer lymphocytes. Proper regulation of IL-15 is essential for healthy pregnancy, as dysregulation can lead to adverse outcomes. Further study is needed to understand the mechanisms of action of IL-15 in the context of pregnancy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Matin Ghasemi, Laleh Abbasi, Leila Ghanbari Naeini, Pajman Kokabian, Najmeh Nameh Goshay Fard, Nozar Givtaj
Summary: Every type of cancer tissue is more susceptible to viral infection, which has been utilized as a new anti-cancer therapy using oncolytic viruses (OVs). OVs selectively infect and destroy cancer cells while causing no harm to the host. Research focuses on the interaction between OVs and the host immune system, particularly the role of dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells in the therapeutic response.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tanvi Tavarna, Bryce Wolfe, Xiao-jun Wu, Leticia Reyes
Summary: This study found that impaired spiral artery remodeling caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis infection was associated with disturbances in uterine natural killer cells and placental bed decidual stroma.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Transplantation
Aaron C. K. Lucander, Paige M. Porrett
Summary: Studies in mice have shown that uNK cells play a critical role in normal placentation and fetal development. However, the biology of uNK cells in humans is not well understood. Recent research has identified different subpopulations of uNK cells in the endometrium and is ongoing to study their differentiation and function. Understanding uNK cell biology may have implications for pregnancy outcomes and UTx success.
CURRENT OPINION IN ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
(2021)
Review
Pathology
Zeinab Shojaei, Roghayeh Jafarpour, Saber Mehdizadeh, Hashem Bayatipoor, Salar Pashangzadeh, Morteza Motallebnezhad
Summary: During pregnancy, the interaction between a mother and a fetus is facilitated by natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells. These immune system cells not only play a crucial role in maintaining pregnancy, but also have implications in infertility-related diseases.
PATHOLOGY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE
(2022)
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)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maciej W. Socha, Bartosz Malinowski, Oskar Puk, Mateusz Wartega, Martyna Stankiewicz, Anita Kazdepka-Zieminska, Michal Wicinski
Summary: The article discusses the role of NF-κB in the development of preeclampsia, highlighting its importance in placental implantation and vascular remodeling processes through modulation of inflammatory responses and cytokine expression. Research also indicates that selective inhibition of NF-κB can alleviate symptoms of preeclampsia in rat models.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)