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Uterine Natural Killer Cell Heterogeneity: Lessons From Mouse Models
1Rheumatology Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.
Frontiers in Immunology
|March 11, 2020
Summary
Natural killer (NK) cells are abundant at the maternal-fetal interface and impact pregnancy outcomes. This review compares mouse and human uterine NK cell functions during pregnancy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cells are the most prevalent lymphocytes at the maternal-fetal interface.
- Epidemiological studies suggest NK cells influence human pregnancy outcomes.
- Mouse NK cell research has historically informed human NK cell biology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the functional similarities and differences between mouse and human uterine NK (uNK) cells.
- To address challenges in defining uNK cell functions due to dynamic pregnancy-related microenvironmental changes.
Main Methods:
- Comparative review of existing literature on mouse and human uterine NK cells.
- Analysis of functional data in the context of systemic-endocrinological and local uterine changes during pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Identified shared and distinct functional characteristics of mouse and human uNK cells.
- Highlighted the complexity of uNK cell function influenced by the pregnancy microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Understanding mouse and human uNK cell similarities and differences is crucial for advancing reproductive immunology.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate uNK cell roles in ensuring successful pregnancy outcomes.
Keywords:
conventional NK cellsmaternal-fetal interfacepregnancytissue-resident NK cellsuterine NK cellsMore Related Videos
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