Monday, 12 June 2017

Natural Killer (NK) Cell Receptors and their Role in Pregnancy and Abortion

Natural Killer
Existing data suggest that decidual Natural Killer Cells (dNK CD3-CD56brightCD16dim/-) are important in early pregnancy (local response to pathogens, control of trophoblast invasion, uterine vascular remodeling), while in ongoing pregnancy they contribute to the acceptance of the embryo through various immunoregulatory mechanisms.

In the so-called alloimmune abortions, CD3-CD56brightCD16dim/-NK cells are decreased in favor of CD3-CD56dimCD16bright NK cells, which are toxic for trophoblast.

Most of the activating and inhibitory receptors regulating dNK function belong to the highly polymorphic KIR (Killer Immunoglobulin-like) family.

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