REVIEW ARTICLE: The Unique Properties of Uterine NK Cells

Abstract

Citation Manaster I, Mandelboim O. The unique properties of uterine NK cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2009AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immunity system that are able to kill various hazardous pathogens and tumors. However, it is now widely accepted that NK cells also possess non‐destructive functions, as has been demonstrated for uterine NK cells. Here, we review the unique properties of the NK cells in the uterine mucosa, prior to and during pregnancy. We discuss the phenotype and function of mouse and human endometrial and decidual NK cells and suggest that the major function of decidual NK cells is to assist in fetal development. We further discuss the origin of decidual NK cells and suggest several possibilities that might explain their accumulation in the decidua during pregnancy.

Tissue-Resident Natural Killer Cells

“…Originally described by morphologists as "granulated uterine metrial gland" cells, NK cells are the most abundant leukocyte at the site of embryo implantation, where they can regulate placental vascularization and pregnancy outcomes (Croy 1994;Ashkar et al 2000;Croy et al 2006;Moffett and Loke 2006;Hiby et al 2010;Manaster and Mandelboim 2010;Chakraborty et al 2011;Madeja et al 2011). Thus, in certain tissues, NK cells can have more specialized functional roles than have been apparent by study of conventional NK cells.…”

NCR2 (natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 2)

“…NKp44 is expressed on IL-2 and IL-15 activated NK Cells and NK cells in the decidua (Cantoni et al, 1999;de Rham et al, 2007;Manaster and Mandelboim, 2010). The receptor is also expressed on isolated polyclonal γδ T cells when cultured for 2 weeks in IL-15 and IL-2 (Cantoni et al, 1999;von Lilienfeld-Toal et al, 2006;Hudspeth et al, 2013).…”

Liaison between natural killer cells and dendritic cells in human gestation

“…CD56 bright dNK cells express the activation marker CD69, 33 lack L-selectin (a molecule involved in adhesion and migration, which is shed upon extravasation), 34 express killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and produce large amounts of perforin and granzymes. 35,36 Second, it can also be argued that dNK cells are recruited from the CD56 dim CD16 1 pNK population, which also express killer immunoglobulinlike receptors and high levels of cytotoxicity-associated molecules. Once in the decidual tissue, CD56 dim cells can acquire a CD56 bright profile.…”