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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Isolation of Uterine Innate Lymphoid Cells for Analysis by Flow Cytometry
Published on: October 14, 2021
The function of decidua natural killer cells in physiology and pathology of pregnancy
Fangfang Jin1, Wei Liu2,3, Guan Cheng4
1Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Abstract:
The role of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells in maintaining immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy is a significant topic in reproductive health. Immune tolerance is essential for a successful pregnancy and involves a complex immune response involving various immune cells and molecules. DNK cells comprise the largest population of lymphocyte subsets found in the decidua and play important roles in maintaining immune tolerance. These cells exert multiple functions to maintain homeostasis of the decidual microenvironment, including modulation of trophoblast invasion, promotion of fetal development, regulation of endometrial decidualization and spiral artery remodeling. DNK cells can also be divided into different subsets based on their functions as NKtolerant , NKcytotoxic , and NKregulatory cells. However, the relationship between dNK cells function and pregnancy outcomes is complex and poorly understood. In this review, we will focus on the physiological role of dNK cells during pregnancy and highlight the potential role in pathological pregnancies and therapeutic approaches.
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