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Changes in natural killer cell activity in normal pregnant and postpartum women: increases in the first trimester and
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, Japan.
Journal of Reproductive Immunology
|May 1, 1991
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cell activity rises in early pregnancy and postpartum, while numbers decrease in late pregnancy. These dynamic changes in NK cells support implantation, protect the fetus, and defend against infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in immune surveillance and maintaining pregnancy.
- Understanding NK cell dynamics during pregnancy and postpartum is vital for reproductive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in NK cell activity and numbers in peripheral blood during normal pregnancy and the postpartum period.
- To correlate these changes with specific NK cell subsets (CD57+, CD16+).
Main Methods:
- NK cell activity was measured using a 51Cr-release assay, quantifying relative and absolute lytic units.
- NK cell numbers and subsets (CD57+, CD16+) were analyzed via flow cytometry.
- Peripheral blood samples were collected from non-pregnant, pregnant (trimesters), and postpartum women.
Main Results:
- Relative NK cell activity unexpectedly increased in the first trimester and one month postpartum.
- Absolute NK cell activity decreased in the third trimester.
- Absolute counts of CD57+ and CD16+ NK cells decreased during the second and third trimesters, with transient increases postpartum.
Conclusions:
- Increased NK cell activity in early pregnancy and postpartum is due to enhanced individual cell cytotoxicity.
- Decreased NK cell activity in late pregnancy results from reduced NK cell numbers.
- These NK cell fluctuations are physiologically significant for successful implantation, fetal allograft protection, and postpartum immune defense.