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Milosevic Stevanovic J, Krstic M, Vukomanovic P, Kutlesic R, Trajkovic SP, Simic D. Failure of placentation and pregnancy complications: The role of feto-maternal immune balance. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 295:126-135. [PMID: 38354605 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Milosevic Stevanovic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia; Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center Nis, Nis, Serbia.
| | - Miljan Krstic
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia; Center for Pathology, Clinical Center Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Predrag Vukomanovic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia; Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Ranko Kutlesic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia; Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Sonja Pop Trajkovic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia; Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Dusan Simic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
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Habets DHJ, Al-Nasiry S, Nagelkerke SQ, Voorter CEM, Spaanderman MEA, Kuijpers TW, Wieten L. Analysis of FCGR3A-p.176Val variants in women with recurrent pregnancy loss and the association with CD16a expression and anti-HLA antibody status. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5232. [PMID: 36997584 PMCID: PMC10063683 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32156-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
AbstractNatural Killer (NK) cells have been implicated in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The p.Val176Phe (or Val158Phe) Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in the FCGR3A gene encoding the FcγRIIIA or CD16a receptor has been associated with an enhanced affinity for IgG and stronger NK-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. We hypothesized that the presence of at least one p.176Val variant associates with RPL and increased CD16a expression and alloantibodies e.g., against paternal human leukocyte antigen (HLA). In 50 women with RPL, we studied frequencies of the p.Val176Phe FCGR3A polymorphisms. Additionally, CD16a expression and anti-HLA antibody status were analyzed by flowcytometry and Luminex Single Antigens. In woman with RPL, frequencies were: 20% (VV), 42% (VF) and 38% (FF). This was comparable to frequencies from the European population in the NCBI SNP database and in an independent Dutch cohort of healthy women. NK cells from RPL women with a VV (22,575 [18731-24607]) and VF (24,294 [20157-26637]) polymorphism showed a higher expression of the CD16a receptor than NK cells from RPL women with FF (17,367 [13257-19730]). No difference in frequencies of the FCGR3A-p.176 SNP were detected when comparing women with or without class I and class II anti-HLA antibodies. Our study does not provide strong evidence for an association between the p.Val176Phe FCGR3A SNP and RPL.
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Habets DHJ, Schlütter A, van Kuijk SMJ, Spaanderman MEA, Al‐Nasiry S, Wieten L. Natural killer cell profiles in recurrent pregnancy loss: Increased expression and positive associations with TACTILE and LILRB1. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13612. [PMID: 36004818 PMCID: PMC9787570 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM NK cells are important for healthy pregnancy and aberrant phenotypes or effector functions have been associated with RPL. We compared expression of a broad panel of NK cell receptors, including immune checkpoint receptors, and investigated their clinical association with RPL as this might improve patient stratification and prediction of RPL. METHOD OF STUDY Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 52 women with RPL and from 2 women with an uncomplicated pregnancy for flowcytometric analysis and plasma was used to determine anti-CMV IgG antibodies. RESULTS Between RPL and controls, we observed no difference in frequencies of T-, NKT or NK cells, in CD56dimCD16+ or CD56brightCD16- NK cell subsets or in the expression of KIRs, NKG2A, NKG2C, NKG2D, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46 or DNAM1. NK cells from women with RPL had a higher expression of LILRB1 and TACTILE and this was associated with the number of losses. The immune checkpoint receptors PD1, TIM3 and LAG3 were not expressed on peripheral blood NK cells. In RPL patients, there was a large variation in NKG2C expression and higher levels could be explained by CMV seropositivity. CONCLUSION Our study identified LILRB1 and TACTILE as NK cell receptors associated with RPL. Moreover, we provide first support for the potential role of CMV in RPL via its impact on the NK cell compartment. Thereby our study could guide future studies to confirm the clinical association of LILRB1, TACTILE and NKG2C with RPL in a larger cohort and to explore their functional relevance in reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise H. J. Habets
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands,Department of Transplantation ImmunologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands,GROW school for Oncology and Developmental BiologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Anna Schlütter
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Sander M. J. van Kuijk
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology AssessmentMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Marc E. A. Spaanderman
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands,GROW school for Oncology and Developmental BiologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands,Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyRadboud University Medical CentreNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Salwan Al‐Nasiry
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands,GROW school for Oncology and Developmental BiologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Lotte Wieten
- Department of Transplantation ImmunologyMaastricht University Medical CentreMaastrichtthe Netherlands,GROW school for Oncology and Developmental BiologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
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Krstic J, Deutsch A, Fuchs J, Gauster M, Gorsek Sparovec T, Hiden U, Krappinger JC, Moser G, Pansy K, Szmyra M, Gold D, Feichtinger J, Huppertz B. (Dis)similarities between the Decidual and Tumor Microenvironment. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051065. [PMID: 35625802 PMCID: PMC9138511 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Placenta-specific trophoblast and tumor cells exhibit many common characteristics. Trophoblast cells invade maternal tissues while being tolerated by the maternal immune system. Similarly, tumor cells can invade surrounding tissues and escape the immune system. Importantly, both trophoblast and tumor cells are supported by an abetting microenvironment, which influences invasion, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance/evasion, among others. However, in contrast to tumor cells, the metabolic, proliferative, migrative, and invasive states of trophoblast cells are under tight regulatory control. In this review, we provide an overview of similarities and dissimilarities in regulatory processes that drive trophoblast and tumor cell fate, particularly focusing on the role of the abetting microenvironments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Krstic
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Alexander Deutsch
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Julia Fuchs
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
- Division of Biophysics, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Gauster
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Tina Gorsek Sparovec
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Ursula Hiden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Julian Christopher Krappinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Gerit Moser
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
| | - Katrin Pansy
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Marta Szmyra
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Stiftingtalstrasse 24, 8010 Graz, Austria; (A.D.); (K.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Daniela Gold
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, 8036 Graz, Austria; (T.G.S.); (U.H.); (D.G.)
| | - Julia Feichtinger
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Aging, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, 8010 Graz, Austria; (J.K.); (J.F.); (M.G.); (J.C.K.); (G.M.); (B.H.)
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Fraser R, Zenclussen AC. Killer Timing: The Temporal Uterine Natural Killer Cell Differentiation Pathway and Implications for Female Reproductive Health. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:904744. [PMID: 35832424 PMCID: PMC9271944 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.904744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant maternal uterine immune cell component, and they densely populate uterine mucosa to promote key changes in the post-ovulatory endometrium and in early pregnancy. It is broadly accepted that (a) immature, inactive endometrial NK (eNK) cells in the pre-ovulatory endometrium become activated and transition into decidual NK (dNK) cells in the secretory stage, peri-implantation endometrium, and continue to mature into early pregnancy; and (b) that secretory-stage and early pregnancy dNK cells promote uterine vascular growth and mediate trophoblast invasion, but do not exert their killing function. However, this may be an overly simplistic view. Evidence of specific dNK functional killer roles, as well as opposing effects of dNK cells on the uterine vasculature before and after conception, indicates the presence of a transitory secretory-stage dNK cell (s-dNK) phenotype with a unique angiodevelopmental profile during the peri-implantation period, that is that is functionally distinct from the angiomodulatory dNK cells that promote vessel destabilisation and vascular cell apoptosis to facilitate uterine vascular changes in early pregnancy. It is possible that abnormal activation and differentiation into the proposed transitory s-dNK phenotype may have implications in uterine pathologies ranging from infertility to cancer, as well as downstream effects on dNK cell differentiation in early pregnancy. Further, dysregulated transition into the angiomodulatory dNK phenotype in early pregnancy will likely have potential repercussions for adverse pregnancy outcomes, since impaired dNK function is associated with several obstetric complications. A comprehensive understanding of the uterine NK cell temporal differentiation pathway may therefore have important translational potential due to likely NK phenotypic functional implications in a range of reproductive, obstetric, and gynaecological pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupsha Fraser
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Rupsha Fraser,
| | - Ana Claudia Zenclussen
- Department of Environmental Immunology, UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Leipzig, Germany
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Wu H, You Q, Jiang Y, Mu F. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors as therapeutic agents for recurrent spontaneous abortion (Review). Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:847. [PMID: 34643255 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a troublesome pregnancy disorder that manifests as sequential early pregnancy losses; its causes are diverse and complex. Among the known possible causes of RSA, the development of an immune disorder in response to the embryo appears to be the most pronounced. The imbalance between immune rejection and immune tolerance contributes to pregnancy loss in females with RSA, wherein the abnormal ratio of T helper (Th)1 cell‑related cytokines [predominantly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‑α] and Th2 cell‑related cytokines is a strong risk factor for RSA. TNF‑α is a pro‑inflammatory cytokine and TNF inhibitors have been effective in the treatment of various autoimmune diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. Based on their immunomodulatory properties, TNF inhibitors have been used in the treatment of RSA to reduce the immune rejection rate and improvement in pregnancy outcomes has been observed in females suffering from RSA who were treated with TNF inhibitors. The aim of the present review was to interpret the involvement of TNF‑α in the immunological disorder underlying RSA and summarize the clinical outcomes of TNF inhibitor treatment in patients with RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wu
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Qingxia You
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Yi Jiang
- Department of Integrated TCM and Western Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Fangxiang Mu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu 730030, P.R. China
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Kanter JR, Mani S, Gordon SM, Mainigi M. Uterine natural killer cell biology and role in early pregnancy establishment and outcomes. F&S REVIEWS 2021; 2:265-286. [PMID: 35756138 PMCID: PMC9232176 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfnr.2021.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective While immune cells were originally thought to only play a role in maternal tolerance of the semiallogenic fetus, an active role in pregnancy establishment is becoming increasingly apparent. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are of specific interest because of their cyclic increase in number during the window of implantation. As a distinct entity from their peripheral blood counterparts, understanding the biology and function of uNK cells will provide the framework for understanding their role in early pregnancy establishment and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Evidence Review This review discusses unique uNK cell characteristics and presents clinical implications resulting from their dysfunction. We also systematically present existing knowledge about uNK cell function in three processes critical for successful human embryo implantation and placentation: stromal cell decidualization, spiral artery remodeling, and extravillous trophoblast invasion. Finally, we review the features of uNK cells that could help guide future investigations. Results It is clear the uNK cells are intimately involved in multiple facets of early pregnancy. This is accomplished directly, through the secretion of factors that regulate stromal cells and trophoblast function; and indirectly, via interaction with other maternal cell types present at the maternal-fetal interface. Current work also suggests that uNK cells are a heterogenous population, with subsets that potentially accomplish different functions. Conclusion Establishment of pregnancy through successful embryo implantation and placentation requires crosstalk between multiple maternal cell types and invading fetal trophoblast cells. Defects in this process have been associated with multiple adverse perinatal outcomes including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, placenta accreta, and recurrent miscarriage though the mechanism underlying development of these defects remain unclear. Abnormalities in NK cell number and function which would disrupt physiological maternal-fetal crosstalk, could play a critical role in abnormal implantation and placentation. It is therefore imperative to dissect the unique physiological role of uNK cells in pregnancy and use this knowledge to inform clinical practice by determining how uNK cell dysfunction could lead to reproductive failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica R. Kanter
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sneha Mani
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott M. Gordon
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Monica Mainigi
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Wu XG, Chen JJ, Zhou HL, Wu Y, Lin F, Shi J, Wu HZ, Xiao HQ, Wang W. Identification and Validation of the Signatures of Infiltrating Immune Cells in the Eutopic Endometrium Endometria of Women With Endometriosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:671201. [PMID: 34539624 PMCID: PMC8446207 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.671201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is an oestrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory process with primary symptoms including dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, and infertility. The immune environment of the endometrium is essential for successful embryo implantation and ongoing pregnancy. In this study, we assessed the composition, density, and distribution of infiltrating immune cells in the endometria of women with endometriosis. Gene expression profiles of endometrial samples were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We found that the TNF signalling pathway, the IL-17 signalling pathway, and the MAPK signalling pathway were significantly enriched in the eutopic endometria of women with endometriosis. The fractions and proportion of infiltrating immune cells were estimated by the CIBERSORT, MCP-counter, and ImmuCellAI methods. We found that the proportions of CD8+ T cells, activated NK cells, and follicular helper T cells were significantly higher in the endometria of women with endometriosis than in the endometria of normal controls, while the proportions of M2 macrophages and resting mast cells were significantly lower in the eutopic endometria. In GSE120103 (n = 36), we found that elevated CD8+ T cells in endometriosis increased the risk of infertility (P = 0.0019). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of CD8+ T cells to distinguish fertile and infertile endometriosis was 0.914. In clinical samples (n = 40), we found that the proportions of CD8+ T cells and CD56+ NK cells were significantly higher in the eutopic endometria of women with endometriosis than in the endometria of normal controls, while the proportion of CD163+ macrophages were lower in the eutopic endometria. The AUCs of CD8+ T cells and CD163+ macrophages were 0.727 and 0.833, respectively, which indicated that CD8 and CD163 were potential diagnostic markers for endometriosis. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that increased CD8+ T cells and CD56+ NK cells and decreased CD163+ macrophages within the eutopic endometria of women with endometriosis reveal a proinflammatory feature in the endometrial immune environment and that elevated CD8+ T cells increase the risk of infertility in women with the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Guang Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin-Jiao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui-Ling Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hong-Zhen Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hai-Qun Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang X, Wei H. Role of Decidual Natural Killer Cells in Human Pregnancy and Related Pregnancy Complications. Front Immunol 2021; 12:728291. [PMID: 34512661 PMCID: PMC8426434 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.728291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a unique type of immunological process. Healthy pregnancy is associated with a series of inflammatory events: implantation (inflammation), gestation (anti-inflammation), and parturition (inflammation). As the most abundant leukocytes during pregnancy, natural killer (NK) cells are recruited and activated by ovarian hormones and have pivotal roles throughout pregnancy. During the first trimester, NK cells represent up to 50–70% of decidua lymphocytes. Differently from peripheral-blood NK cells, decidual natural killer (dNK) cells are poorly cytolytic, and they release cytokines/chemokines that induce trophoblast invasion, tissue remodeling, embryonic development, and placentation. NK cells can also shift to a cytotoxic identity and carry out immune defense if infected in utero by pathogens. At late gestation, premature activation of NK cells can lead to a breakdown of tolerance of the maternal–fetal interface and, subsequently, can result in preterm birth. This review is focused on the role of dNK cells in normal pregnancy and pathological pregnancy, including preeclampsia, recurrent spontaneous abortion, endometriosis, and recurrent implantation failure. dNK cells could be targets for the treatment of pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuhong Zhang
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Molecular Medicine, The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China.,Institute of Immunology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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Hao F, Zhou X, Jin L. Natural killer cells: functional differences in recurrent spontaneous abortion†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:524-531. [PMID: 31742319 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is one of the major pregnancy disorders and poses a serious risk to both the mother and the fetus. Although a number of research efforts have been conducted, therapeutic advances for treating RSA have not lived up to their expectations. Hence, other treatments should be explored. The important role of natural killer (NK) cells in immunotherapy is attracting increasing attention, both as a pharmaceutical target and for cell therapies. NK cells are abundant in the endometrium and play a role in implantation and placentation in normal pregnancy. As research progresses, NK cells are increasingly regarded as playing essential roles in the emergence and development of RSA. In this article, I review recent findings on the role of uterine NK cells in the pathophysiology of RSA. These cells may become therapeutic NK cell-related targets. In conclusion, although several issues regarding NK cells in RSA remain unresolved and require further investigation, extensive evidence is available for the treatment of RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Hao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhou
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Jin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Gurm H, Hirota JA, Raha S. Cannabinoid Signalling in Immune-Reproductive Crosstalk during Human Pregnancy. Biomedicines 2021; 9:267. [PMID: 33800053 PMCID: PMC8000565 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9030267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the intricate involvement of the endocannabinoid system in various physiological processes, it remains one of the most under-studied biological systems of the human body. The scope of endocannabinoid signalling is widespread, ranging from modulation of immune responses in innate and adaptive immunity to gestational processes in female physiology. Cannabinoid receptors are ubiquitously distributed in reproductive tissues and are thought to play a role in regulating the immune-reproductive interactions required for successful pregnancy, specifically among uterine natural killer cells and placental extravillous trophoblasts. The use of cannabis during pregnancy, however, can perturb endocannabinoid homeostasis through effects mediated by its major constituents, Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol. Decidualization of the endometrium, invasion, and angiogenesis may be impaired as a consequence, leading to clinical complications such as miscarriage and preeclampsia. In this review, the crosstalk between endocannabinoid signalling in uterine natural killer cells and placental extravillous trophoblasts will be examined in healthy and complicated pregnancies. This lays a foundation for discussing the potential of targeting the endocannabinoid system for therapeutic benefit, particularly with regard to the emerging field of synthetic cannabinoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harmeet Gurm
- Department of Pediatrics and the Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada;
| | - Jeremy A. Hirota
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada;
| | - Sandeep Raha
- Department of Pediatrics and the Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada;
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Dizaji Asl K, Velaei K, Rafat A, Tayefi Nasrabadi H, Movassaghpour AA, Mahdavi M, Nozad Charoudeh H. The role of KIR positive NK cells in diseases and its importance in clinical intervention. Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 92:107361. [PMID: 33429335 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are essential for the elimination of the transformed and cancerous cells. Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) which expressed by T and NK cells, are key regulator of NK cell function. The KIR and their ligands, MHC class I (HLA-A, B and C) molecules, are highly polymorphic and their related genes are located on 19 q13.4 and 6 q21.3 chromosomes, respectively. It is clear that particular interaction between the KIRs and their related ligands can influence on the prevalence, progression and outcome of several diseases, like complications of pregnancy, viral infection, autoimmune diseases, and hematological malignancies. The mechanisms of immune signaling in particular NK cells involvement in causing pathological conditions are not completely understood yet. Therefore, better understanding of the molecular mechanism of KIR-MHC class I interaction could facilitate the treatment strategy of diseases. The present review focused on the main characteristics and functional details of various KIR and their combination with related ligands in diseases and also highlights ongoing efforts to manipulate the key checkpoints in NK cell-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadijeh Dizaji Asl
- Stem Cell Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Kobra Velaei
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Rafat
- Stem Cell Research Centre, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hamid Tayefi Nasrabadi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Movassaghpour
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Majid Mahdavi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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13
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Ma Y, Yu X, Zhang L, Liu J, Shao X, Li YX, Wang YL. Uterine decidual niche modulates the progressive dedifferentiation of spiral artery vascular smooth muscle cells during human pregnancy†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:624-637. [PMID: 33336235 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine spiral artery (SPA) remodeling is a crucial event during pregnancy to provide enough blood supply to maternal-fetal interface and meet the demands of the growing fetus. Along this process, the dynamic change and the fate of spiral artery vascular smooth muscle cells (SPA-VSMCs) have long been debatable. In the present study, we analyzed the cell features of SPA-VSMCs at different stages of vascular remodeling in human early pregnancy, and we demonstrated the progressively morphological change of SPA-VSMCs at un-remodeled (Un-Rem), remodeling, and fully remodeled (Fully-Rem) stages, indicating the extravillous trophoblast (EVT)-independent and EVT-dependent phases of SPA-VSMC dedifferentiation. In vitro experiments in VSMC cell line revealed the efficient roles of decidual stromal cells, decidual natural killer cells (dNK), decidual macrophages, and EVTs in inducing VSMCs dedifferentiation. Importantly, the potential transformation of VSMC toward CD56+ dNKs was displayed by immunofluorescence-DNA in-situ hybridization-proximity ligation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays for H3K4dime modification in the myosin heavy chain 11 (MYH11) promoter region. The findings clearly illustrate a cascade regulation of the progressive dedifferentiation of SPA-VSMCs by multiple cell types in uterine decidual niche and provide new evidences to reveal the destination of SPA-VSMCs during vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeling Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lanmei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The 306 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Xia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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Crona Guterstam Y, Strunz B, Ivarsson MA, Zimmer C, Melin AS, Jonasson AF, Björkström NK, Gidlöf SB. The cytokine profile of menstrual blood. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2020; 100:339-346. [PMID: 32892344 PMCID: PMC7891423 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction The menstrual cycle is regulated by a complex interplay between endometrial epithelial cells, endothelial cells, immune cells, and sex hormones. To communicate, cells secrete cytokines that have multiple and diverse effects on recipient cells. Knowledge of how these cells interact in the uterus is insufficient. Menstrual blood is easily accessible and provides a source to study menstrual cycle physiology. This study aimed to determine the cytokine profile in menstrual blood plasma and investigate the differences in cytokine profiles between menstrual and peripheral blood plasma. Several previous studies indicate an improved chance of embryo implantation after endometrial scratching. Consequently, our secondary aim was to compare the menstrual blood cytokine profile before and after luteal phase endometrial scratching. Material and methods Nineteen healthy donors collected menstrual blood for the first 24 hours of menstruation in two sequential cycles. Matched peripheral blood was taken at the same time. An endometrial biopsy was performed at cycle day 7‐9 post ovulation in between the two collection times. A Luminex multiplex assay was performed in one batch analyzing a predetermined group of cytokines in plasma. Results Peripheral blood plasma and menstrual blood plasma showed substantial significant differences in cytokine profile. In menstrual blood plasma, C5/C5a, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐1β, and CXCL8 were detected in high concentrations, whereas IL‐2, IL‐12p70, XCL1/Lymphotactin, and interferon‐γ were low. The most pronounced median differences between menstrual and peripheral blood plasma were found for IL‐6, IL‐1β, and CXCL8. The cytokine profiles of menstrual blood plasma were similar between the individual donors and did not differ over two subsequent cycles. None of the cytokines analyzed in menstrual blood plasma differed significantly before or after luteal phase endometrial scratching (P < .01). Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the menstrual blood cytokine profile is distinctly different from peripheral blood plasma and that the inter‐individual difference in menstrual blood cytokine profile in healthy donors is limited and stable over time. The small injury caused by an endometrial biopsy does not change the cytokine profile in the subsequent menstrual cycle. Our study provides new insights into menstrual cycle physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ylva Crona Guterstam
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Patient Area Gynecology and Reproduction, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Benedikt Strunz
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin A Ivarsson
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christine Zimmer
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Aino F Jonasson
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Patient Area Gynecology and Reproduction, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas K Björkström
- Center for Infectious Medicine, Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Brusell Gidlöf
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stockholm South General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Lin F, Yang C, Feng T, Yang S, Zhou R, Li H. The Maternal-Fetal Interface in Small-for-Gestational-Age Pregnancies Is Associated With a Reduced Quantity of Human Decidual NK Cells With Weaker Functional Ability. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:633. [PMID: 33015028 PMCID: PMC7509437 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Small for gestational age (SGA) refers to a birth weight that is less than the 10th percentile of the mean weight of infants at the same gestational age. This condition is associated with a variety of complications, and a high risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in adulthood. Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells at the maternal–fetal interface have received significant research attention in terms of normal pregnancy or miscarriage; however, data relating to SGA are limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics and regulatory role of dNK cells at the maternal–fetal interface in SGA. Using immunofluorescence assays, we found that dNK cells maintained close contact with extra-villous trophoblasts, and the proportion of dNK cells in SGA decreased more than in appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Flow cytometry also showed that there was a significantly lower percentage of dNK cells in SGA (25.01 ± 2.43%) than in AGA (34.25 ± 2.30%) (p = 0.0103). The expression of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A on dNK cells and the secretion levels of both perforin and TGF-β1 from dNK cells were significantly higher in SGA than in AGA, while the cytotoxicity of dNK cells in SGA against K562 cells was attenuated. Compared to AGA, the functional ability of dNK cells in SGA showed significant functional impairment in promoting proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation in trophoblast cells or vascular endothelial cells. The abnormal function of dNK cells may affect fetal growth and development, and could therefore participate in the pathogenesis of SGA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chuan Yang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ting Feng
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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16
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Reches A, Berhani O, Mandelboim O. A Unique Regulation Region in the 3' UTR of HLA-G with a Promising Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030900. [PMID: 32019184 PMCID: PMC7037441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is a non-classical human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I protein that interacts with inhibitory receptors and is commonly overexpressed in various cancers, thereby establishing itself as an inhibitory checkpoint immune ligand. It is also expressed in trophoblast cells during pregnancy and protects the fetus from immune rejection. Despite its crucial role and its intriguing expression pattern, the regulation of HLA-G’s expression is only partially understood. HLA-G’s mRNA is expressed in many tissues but the protein expression is restricted only to the cells mentioned above. Therefore, we suggest that HLA-G is post-transcriptionally regulated. Here, we reveal a distinctive site present only in the 3′ Untranslated region (UTR) of HLA-G, which might explain its unique expression pattern. Consequently, we attempted to find binding factors such as RNA binding proteins (RBPs) and microRNAS (miRs) that regulate HLA-G expression by interacting with this distinct site present in its 3′ UTR. Our research indicates that this site should be further studied in order to reveal its significance.
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17
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Yang F, Zheng Q, Jin L. Dynamic Function and Composition Changes of Immune Cells During Normal and Pathological Pregnancy at the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2317. [PMID: 31681264 PMCID: PMC6813251 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A successful pregnancy requires a fine-tuned and highly regulated balance between immune activation and embryonic antigen tolerance. Since the fetus is semi-allogeneic, the maternal immune system should exert tolerant to the fetus while maintaining the defense against infection. The maternal-fetal interface consists of different immune cells, such as decidual natural killer (dNK) cells, macrophages, T cells, dendritic cells, B cells, and NKT cells. The interaction between immune cells, decidual stromal cells, and trophoblasts constitute a vast network of cellular connections. A cellular immunological imbalance may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and infection. Dynamic changes in immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface have not been clearly stated. While many studies have described changes in the proportions of immune cells in the normal maternal-fetus interface during early pregnancy, few studies have assessed the immune cell changes in mid and late pregnancy. Research on pathological pregnancy has provided clues about these dynamic changes, but a deeper understanding of these changes is necessary. This review summarizes information from previous studies, which may lay the foundation for the diagnosis of pathological pregnancy and put forward new ideas for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglian Yang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingliang Zheng
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Jin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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18
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Shokri MR, Bozorgmehr M, Ghanavatinejad A, Falak R, Aleahmad M, Kazemnejad S, Shokri F, Zarnani AH. Human menstrual blood-derived stromal/stem cells modulate functional features of natural killer cells. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10007. [PMID: 31292483 PMCID: PMC6620360 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the maintenance of a successful pregnancy, their cytotoxic activity should be tightly controlled. We hypothesized that endometrial mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (eMSCs) could potentially attenuate the functional features of NK cells. Herein, we assessed immunomodulatory effects of menstrual blood-derived stromal/stem cells (MenSCs), as a surrogate for eMSCs, on NK cells function. Our results showed that MenSCs induced proliferation of NK cells. However, IFN-γ/IL-1β pretreated MenSCs significantly inhibited NK cell proliferation. Of 41 growth factors tested, MenSCs produced lower levels of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) 1-4, VEGF-A, β-NGF, and M-CSF compared to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). MenSCs displayed high activity of IDO upon IFN-γ treatment. The antiproliferative potential of IFN-γ/IL-1β-pretreated MenSCs was mediated through IL-6 and TGF-β. MenSCs impaired the cytotoxic activity of NK cells on K562 cells, consistent with the lower expression of perforin, granzymes A, and B. We also observed that in vitro decidualization of MenSCs in the presence of IFN-γ reduced the inhibitory effect of MenSCs on NK cell cytotoxicity against K562 target cells. Additionally, MenSCs were found to be prone to NK cell-mediated lysis in an MHC-independent manner. Our findings imply that dysregulation of NK cells in such pregnancy-related disorders as miscarriage may stem from dysfunctioning of eMSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad-Reza Shokri
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Bozorgmehr
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Ghanavatinejad
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Falak
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehdi Aleahmad
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somaieh Kazemnejad
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Shokri
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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19
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Stieglitz F, Celik AA, von Kaisenberg C, Camps MA, Blasczyk R, Bade-Döding C. The microstructure in the placenta is influenced by the functional diversity of HLA-G allelic variants. Immunogenetics 2019; 71:455-463. [PMID: 31250049 PMCID: PMC6647172 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-019-01121-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The main expression sites of HLA-G are human extravillous trophoblast cells. The interaction of HLA-G with uterine NK cells promotes their maturation and differentiation into decidual NK (dNK) cells. dNK cells secrete chemokines, cytokines, and proangiogenic factors in favor of a vascular remodeling and an immune suppressive microenvironment of the decidua. HLA-G is the most polymorphic member of the oligomorphic non-classical HLA molecule family; yet, the impact of polymorphic differences is not comprehensively understood. sHLA-G levels in embryo culture medium correlate with successful pregnancy; however, it remains questionable if HLA-G allelic diversity impacts on the outcome of dNK cell development. We utilized synthetic sHLA-G*01:01, 01:03, and 01:04 molecules and transduced K652/mHLA-G*01:01, 01:03, and 01:04 cells to study the biological interaction between HLA-G alleles and primary NK cells of human term placenta. Despite its low frequency, HLA-G*01:04 and not the most prevalent allele HLA-G*01:01 appear to be strong catalysts of dNK cell proliferation. Concluding, this study illustrates novel insights into the impact and binding efficiency of the three most common variants of HLA-G on primary placental NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Stieglitz
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - A A Celik
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - C von Kaisenberg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - M A Camps
- Imusyn GmbH & Co. KG, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 5, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - R Blasczyk
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Bade-Döding
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
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20
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Proportion of Cytotoxic Peripheral Blood Natural Killer Cells and T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocytes in Recurrent Miscarriage and Repeated Implantation Failure: Case–Control Study and Meta-analysis. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2019; 67:225-236. [DOI: 10.1007/s00005-019-00546-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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21
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Lédée N, Vasseur C, Petitbarat M, Chevrier L, Vezmar K, Dray G, Chenière S, Lobersztajn A, Vitoux D, Cassuto GN, Chaouat G. Intralipid® may represent a new hope for patients with reproductive failures and simultaneously an over-immune endometrial activation. J Reprod Immunol 2018; 130:18-22. [PMID: 30286362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2018.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PROBLEM Continuous failures to achieve a pregnancy despite effective embryo transfers is extremely distressing for couples. In consequence, many adjuvant therapies to IVF have been proposed to achieve an "ideal" immune environment. We here focus on Intralipid® therapy (IL) reported to have immunosuppressive properties on NK cells. METHOD OF STUDY 94 patients exhibited an immune profile of endometrial over-immune activation and an history of repeated implantation failures despite multiple embryos transfers (RIF). They received a slow perfusion of Intralipid®. We here report the live birth rate following the procedure at the next embryo transfer. To get new insight on its mechanism of action, a second immune profiling had been performed under Intralipid® before the embryo transfer. RESULTS The live birth rate of the RIF cohort treated with Intralipid® reached 54% (51/94) at the next embryo transfer. In patients successfully pregnant under Intralipid® who benefitted of a test of sensibility before the embryo transfer, we observed a significant decrease of the three biomarkers used to diagnose the over-immune endometrial activation (CD56 cells; IL-18/TWEAK, IL-14/FN-14). CONCLUSIONS Double blind placebo versus Intralipid® studies should be conducted. Intralipid® may be an option to explore in RIF patients who exhibit an over-immune activation of uNK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Lédée
- MatriceLAB Innove, Pépinière Paris Santé Cochin, 29 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France; Centre d'assistance médical à la procréation Bluets-Drouot, Hospital Les Bluets, 4 rue Lasson 75012 Paris, France.
| | - Claudine Vasseur
- Pole Sante Vinci 1 Avenue Du Pr Alexandre Minkowski, 37170 Chambray Les Tours, France
| | - Marie Petitbarat
- MatriceLAB Innove, Pépinière Paris Santé Cochin, 29 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Lucie Chevrier
- MatriceLAB Innove, Pépinière Paris Santé Cochin, 29 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Katia Vezmar
- MatriceLAB Innove, Pépinière Paris Santé Cochin, 29 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France; Centre d'assistance médical à la procréation Bluets-Drouot, Hospital Les Bluets, 4 rue Lasson 75012 Paris, France; Pole Sante Vinci 1 Avenue Du Pr Alexandre Minkowski, 37170 Chambray Les Tours, France; Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale, INSERM UMR-976, Saint-Louis Hospital, Research Center, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010, Paris, France
| | - Geraldine Dray
- Centre d'assistance médical à la procréation Bluets-Drouot, Hospital Les Bluets, 4 rue Lasson 75012 Paris, France
| | - Sandra Chenière
- Centre d'assistance médical à la procréation Bluets-Drouot, Hospital Les Bluets, 4 rue Lasson 75012 Paris, France
| | - Annina Lobersztajn
- Centre d'assistance médical à la procréation Bluets-Drouot, Hospital Les Bluets, 4 rue Lasson 75012 Paris, France
| | - Dominique Vitoux
- MatriceLAB Innove, Pépinière Paris Santé Cochin, 29 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Guy Nino Cassuto
- Centre d'assistance médical à la procréation Bluets-Drouot, Hospital Les Bluets, 4 rue Lasson 75012 Paris, France
| | - Gérard Chaouat
- Institut National de Santé et de Recherche Médicale, INSERM UMR-976, Saint-Louis Hospital, Research Center, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010, Paris, France
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22
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Castellana B, Perdu S, Kim Y, Chan K, Atif J, Marziali M, Beristain AG. Maternal obesity alters uterine NK activity through a functional KIR2DL1/S1 imbalance. Immunol Cell Biol 2018; 96:805-819. [PMID: 29569748 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In pregnancy, uterine natural killer cells (uNK) play essential roles in coordinating uterine angiogenesis, blood vessel remodeling and promoting maternal tolerance to fetal tissue. Deviances from a normal uterine microenvironment are thought to modify uNK function(s) by limiting their ability to establish a healthy pregnancy. While maternal obesity has become a major health concern due to associations with adverse effects on fetal and maternal health, our understanding into how obesity contributes to poor pregnancy disorders is unknown. Given the importance of uNK in pregnancy, this study examines the impact of obesity on uNK function in women in early pregnancy. We identify that uNK from obese women show a greater propensity for cellular activation, but this difference does not translate into increased effector killing potential. Instead, uNK from obese women express an altered repertoire of natural killer receptors, including an imbalance in inhibitory KIR2DL1 and activating KIR2DS1 receptors that favors HLA-C2-directed uNK activation. Notably, we show that obesity-related KIR2DS1 skewing potentiates TNFα production upon receptor crosslinking. Together, these findings suggest that maternal obesity modifies uNK activity by altering the response toward HLA-C2 antigen and KIR2DL1/2DS1-controlled TNFα release. Furthermore, this work identifies alterations in uNK function resulting from maternal obesity that may impact early developmental processes important in pregnancy health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Castellana
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sofie Perdu
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yoona Kim
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kathy Chan
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jawairia Atif
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Megan Marziali
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alexander G Beristain
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Tannous S, Ghanem E. A bite to fight: front-line innate immune defenses against malaria parasites. Pathog Glob Health 2018; 112:1-12. [PMID: 29376476 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2018.1429847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria infection caused by Plasmodium parasites remains a major health burden worldwide especially in the tropics and subtropics. Plasmodium exhibits a complex life cycle whereby it undergoes a series of developmental stages in the Anopheles mosquito vector and the vertebrate human host. Malaria severity is mainly attributed to the genetic complexity of the parasite which is reflected in the sophisticated mechanisms of invasion and evasion that allow it to overcome the immune responses of both its invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. In this review, we aim to provide an updated, clear and concise summary of the literature focusing on the interactions of the vertebrate innate immune system with Plasmodium parasites, namely sporozoites, merozoites, and trophozoites. The roles of innate immune factors, both humoral and cellular, in anti-Plasmodium defense are described with particular emphasis on the contribution of key innate players including neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells to the clearance of liver and blood stage parasites. A comprehensive understanding of the innate immune responses to malaria parasites remains an important goal that would dramatically help improve the design of original treatment strategies and vaccines, both of which are urgently needed to relieve the burden of malaria especially in endemic countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Tannous
- a Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Sciences , Notre Dame University , Louaize , Lebanon
| | - Esther Ghanem
- a Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Sciences , Notre Dame University , Louaize , Lebanon
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24
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Nejabati HR, Latifi Z, Ghasemnejad T, Fattahi A, Nouri M. Placental growth factor (PlGF) as an angiogenic/inflammatory switcher: lesson from early pregnancy losses. Gynecol Endocrinol 2017; 33:668-674. [PMID: 28447504 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1318375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental growth factor (PlGF) is an angiogenic factor which belongs to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family. In addition to the angiogenic function of PlGF, in some conditions such as preeclampsia and early pregnancy losses, it can induce inflammatory reactions which could be accompanied with reduced angiogenesis. Hence, it is crucial to investigate inflammatory and angiogenic switching states and understand underlying mechanisms. PlGF is expressed in endometrium, placenta and trophoblast cells and is involved in maturation of uterine NK cells. Up-regulation of PlGF directs VEGF to VEGFR-2 and reinforces angiogenesis. However, when VEGF/VEGFR-2 signaling pathway is impaired, PlGF may shift to severe inflammation and cause tissue damages which could lead to early pregnancy losses. Downregulation of PlGF has also been reported in pregnancy complications. In this review, we discussed the role of PlGF in embryo implantation failure and early pregnancy loss and also possible mechanisms regarding the role of PlGF in angiogenic/inflammatory switching in early pregnancy losses. Furthermore, we summarized the effects of various compounds on PlGF expression and briefly talked about its therapeutic potential that may be an opportunity for prevention of pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Reza Nejabati
- a Women's Reproductive Health Research Center
- b Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Faculty of Medicine , and
| | - Zeinab Latifi
- b Department of Clinical Biochemistry , Faculty of Medicine , and
| | | | - Amir Fattahi
- a Women's Reproductive Health Research Center
- c Department of Reproductive Biology , Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran
| | - Mohammad Nouri
- c Department of Reproductive Biology , Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences , Tabriz , Iran
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25
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Ma L, Li G, Cao G, Zhu Y, Du MR, Zhao Y, Wang H, Liu Y, Yang Y, Li YX, Li DJ, Yang H, Wang YL. dNK cells facilitate the interaction between trophoblastic and endothelial cells via VEGF-C and HGF. Immunol Cell Biol 2017; 95:695-704. [PMID: 28653669 DOI: 10.1038/icb.2017.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Decidual NK (dNK) cells, identified as CD56brightCD16-CD3-, account for ~70% of lymphocytes within the uterine wall during early pregnancy. Accumulating evidence suggests that tight interactions between placental trophoblasts and dNK cells are critical for trophoblast cell differentiation. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be explored in detail. In the present study, conditioned medium (CM) was collected from cultured primary human dNK cells. Primary cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) or the human trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo was treated with dNK-CM and co-cultured with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a three-dimensional Matrigel scaffold, and the formation of tube structures was dynamically monitored with live cell imaging. Trophoblast invasion was analyzed with a transwell invasion assay. The data demonstrated that the treatment of HTR8/SVneo cells or CTBs with dNK-CM remarkably promoted trophoblast invasion and tube formation in the presence of HUVECs. The epithelial marker E-cadherin was reduced, while the expression of endothelial markers NCAM, VE-cadherin and integrin β1 was significantly promoted in the HTR8/SVneo cells upon treatment with dNK-CM. Antibody blocking experiments revealed that the dNK cells promoted trophoblast invasion through the production of IL-8 and HGF, and they induced trophoblast differentiation toward endothelial phenotype by producing VEGF-C and HGF. These results provide new evidence to clarify the finely tuned interactions between trophoblasts and dNK cells at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guanlin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guangming Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuchun Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mei-Rong Du
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangyu Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanlei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Xia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Da-Jin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Huixia Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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sHLA-G involved in the apoptosis of decidual natural killer cells following Toxoplasma gondii infection. Inflammation 2015; 37:1718-27. [PMID: 24854161 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-014-9900-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to assess whether soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) is involved in apoptosis of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells following Toxoplasma gondii infection. dNK cells or NK-92 cells were infected with T. gondii and co-cultured with trophoblast cells or BeWo cells. Infected co-cultured cells were treated without or with sHLA-G neutralizing antibody. Uninfected co-cultured cells were used as controls. Apoptosis of dNK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscope. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to determine caspase 3 and caspase 8 expression. sHLA-G in supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In infection groups, sHLA-G was increased, while dNK apoptosis proteins caspase 3 and caspase 8 were up-regulated, but significantly decreased in the presence of sHLA-G neutralizing antibody compared to controls. Under the situation of T. gondii-infected dNK cells co-cultured with trophoblast cells, the up-regulation of sHLA-G could induce dNK cells apoptosis which ultimately may contribute to the abnormal pregnancy outcomes with T. gondii infection.
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Pregnancy Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Immune Tolerance in Pregnancy and Its Deficiency in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus--An Immunological Dilemma. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:241547. [PMID: 26090485 PMCID: PMC4451247 DOI: 10.1155/2015/241547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a physiological condition that requires immune tolerance to the product of conception. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease with well-represented immune mechanisms that disturb immune tolerance. The association of pregnancy with systemic lupus erythematosus creates a particular immune environment in which the immune tolerance specific of pregnancy is required to coexist with alterations of the immune system caused by SLE. The main role is played by T regulatory (Treg) cells, which attempt to regulate and adapt the immune system of the mother to the new conditions of pregnancy. Other components of the immune system also participate to maintain maternal-fetal immune tolerance. If the immune system of pregnant women with SLE is not able to maintain maternal immune tolerance to the fetus, pregnancy complications (miscarriage, fetal hypotrophy, and preterm birth) or maternal complications (preeclampsia or activation of SLE, especially in conditions of lupus nephritis) may occur. In certain situations this can be responsible for neonatal lupus. At the same time, it must be noted that during pregnancy, the immune system is able to achieve immune tolerance while maintaining the anti-infectious immune capacity of the mother. Immunological monitoring of pregnancy during SLE, as well as of the mother's disease, is required. It is important to understand immune tolerance to grafts in transplant pathology.
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Kamoi M, Fukui A, Kwak-Kim J, Fuchinoue K, Funamizu A, Chiba H, Yokota M, Fukuhara R, Mizunuma H. NK22 Cells in the Uterine Mid-Secretory Endometrium and Peripheral Blood of Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Unexplained Infertility. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 73:557-67. [PMID: 25559361 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM We aimed to investigate natural killer 22 (NK22) cells in the peripheral blood and the uterine endometrium of women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) and unexplained infertility (UI). METHOD OF STUDY Peripheral blood and endometrial samples were collected from women with URPL (n = 43) and UI (n = 38). Intracellular cytokine production, such as IL-22, IFN-γ and TNF-α, and the expression of NKp46 on NK cells were analyzed by three-color flow cytometry. RESULTS The percentages of endometrial CD56(+) /IL-22(+) and CD56(dim) /IL-22(+) cells in women with URPL were significantly higher than those of UI (P < 0.05, respectively). In addition, the percentage of CD56(bright) /IL-22(+) cells in women with RPL was negatively correlated with those of CD56(bright) /IFN-γ(+) and CD56(bright) /TNF-α(+) in both peripheral blood and endometrial NK cells. This was not seen in women with UI. The percentage of CD56(bright) /IL-22(+) cells was negatively correlated with CD56(bright) /NKp46 expressing NK cells in peripheral blood. CONCLUSION Endometrial NK22 cells are differently regulated in women with URPL and UI. Women with URPL have higher level of NK22 cells with a potential to induce NK2 shift than women with UI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Kamoi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Atsushi Fukui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL, USA
| | - Kohei Fuchinoue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Ayano Funamizu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Hitomi Chiba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Megumi Yokota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Rie Fukuhara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
| | - Hideki Mizunuma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan
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29
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Jabrane-Ferrat N, Siewiera J. The up side of decidual natural killer cells: new developments in immunology of pregnancy. Immunology 2014; 141:490-7. [PMID: 24256296 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Early phases of human pregnancy are associated with the accumulation of a unique subset of natural killer (NK) cells in the maternal decidua. Decidual NK (dNK) cells that are devoid of cytotoxicity play a pivotal role in successful pregnancy. By secreting large amounts of cytokines/chemokines and angiogenic factors, dNK cells participate in all steps of placentation including trophoblast invasion into the maternal endometrium and vascular remodelling. In this review, we summarize some of dNK cell features and discuss more recent exciting data that challenge the conventional view of these cells. Our new data demonstrate that dNK cells undergo fine tuning or even subvert their classical inhibitory machinery and turn into a real defence force in order to prevent the spread of viruses to fetal tissue. Today it is not clear how these phenotypic and functional adaptations impact cellular cross-talk at the fetal-maternal interface and tissue homeostasis. Ultimately, precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern dNK cell plasticity during congenital human cytomegalovirus infection should lead to the design of more robust strategies to reverse immune escape during viral infection and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabila Jabrane-Ferrat
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR 1043, Toulouse, France; Centre National Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5282, Toulouse, France; Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Major histocompatibility complex I mediates immunological tolerance of the trophoblast during pregnancy and may mediate rejection during parturition. Mediators Inflamm 2014; 2014:579279. [PMID: 24812442 PMCID: PMC4000645 DOI: 10.1155/2014/579279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy in larger mammals, the maternal immune system must tolerate the fetus for months while resisting external infection. This tolerance is facilitated by immunological communication between the fetus and the mother, which is mediated by Major Histocompatibility Complex I (MHC I) proteins, by leukocytes, and by the cytokines secreted by the leukocytes. Fetal-maternal immunological communication also supports pregnancy by inducing physiological changes in the mother. If the mother “misunderstands” the signal sent by the fetus during pregnancy, the fetus will be miscarried or delivered preterm. Unlike any other maternal organ, the placenta can express paternal antigens. At parturition, paternal antigens are known to be expressed in cows and may be expressed in horses, possibly so that the maternal immune system will reject the placenta and help to expel it. This review compares fetal-maternal crosstalk that is mediated by the immune system in three species with pregnancies that last for nine months or longer: humans, cattle, and horses. It raises the possibility that immunological communication early in pregnancy may prepare the mother for successful expulsion of fetal membranes at parturition.
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31
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Le Bouteiller P. Human decidual NK cells: unique and tightly regulated effector functions in healthy and pathogen-infected pregnancies. Front Immunol 2013; 4:404. [PMID: 24324468 PMCID: PMC3839044 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells present in the peripheral blood (PB) respond rapidly to pathogens or pathogen-infected cells by various means including cytotoxicity and release of cytokines and chemokines. In addition they modulate adaptive immunity via the interaction with dendritic cells. Decidual NK cells (dNK) are poorly cytotoxic in healthy pregnancy, both in humans and rodents, when compared to their PB counterparts. We will discuss recent findings that may contribute to answer the following questions: (i) Do dNK possess functional killing machinery in normal healthy pregnancy? (ii) If so, what are the regulatory mechanisms that negatively control this effector function? (iii) Have dNK from early pregnant uterus the intrinsic ability to kill pathogen-infected autologous maternal uterine cells and/or produce soluble factors that stimulate the anti-pathogen adaptive immune response? (iv) Do dNK undergo a receptor repertoire profile shift when they are in contact with pathogen-infected uterine cells? (v) Which pathogen-mediated signal(s) and molecular interactions subvert the inhibition of dNK cytolytic activity?
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Le Bouteiller
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, UMR 1043 , Toulouse , France ; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 5282 , Toulouse , France ; Centre de Physiopathologie Toulouse Purpan, Université Paul Sabatier , Toulouse , France
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32
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Zhang Y, Kwak-Kim J, Huang D, Hu L, Liao A. Cyclic Changes and Relationship between Peripheral and Endometrial NK Cells from Women with Repeated Failure after Artificial Insemination by Donor Sperm. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 71:44-54. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Family Planning Research Institute; Center for Reproductive Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
- Hospital for Reproductive Medicine; Affiliated to Shandong University; Jinan China
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science; Vernon Hills IL USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology; Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science; North Chicago IL USA
| | - Donghui Huang
- Family Planning Research Institute; Center for Reproductive Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Lian Hu
- Family Planning Research Institute; Center for Reproductive Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
| | - Aihua Liao
- Family Planning Research Institute; Center for Reproductive Medicine; Tongji Medical College; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan China
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33
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Winger EE, Reed JL. The multiple faces of the decidual natural killer cell. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 70:1-9. [PMID: 23448380 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2012] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The decidual NK (dNK) cell is called on to support placental growth by providing an array of growth factors that directly transform the spiral artery and direct trophoblast invasion. Successful transformation is dependent upon adequate stimulation paradoxically stimulating the cell for placental support rather than cytotoxicity. With the identification of its supportive role, the presence of an intact cytotoxic mechanism has been confusing. Investigators have found that the cell remains fully capable of cytotoxic responses particularly in response to pathogen-specific signals. We postulate a dual threshold model where moderate stimulation results in release of stimulatory factors supporting placentation while intense stimulation, particularly triggered through pathogen-specific receptors, restores the cell to its protective, cytotoxic, role. Individual dNK cells mature attaining the capacity to respond to the delivery of cognate signals. The process, known as 'licensing' tunes responsiveness to the degree to which stochastically selected inhibitory receptors block cytotoxic response to self. A changing licensing milieu within the decidua may result in altered and unsuitable receptor expression. We postulate that a heterogeneous population of dNK cells where cells inappropriately licensed for the milieu contributes to pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward E Winger
- Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine & Immunology, San Jose, CA, USA
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Yokota M, Fukui A, Funamizu A, Nakamura R, Kamoi M, Fuchinoue K, Sasaki Y, Fukuhara R, Mizunuma H. Role of NKp46 expression in cytokine production by CD56-positive NK cells in the peripheral blood and the uterine endometrium. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 69:202-11. [PMID: 23311919 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2012] [Accepted: 11/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM To investigate the role of natural cytotoxicity receptor, NKp46 expression in cytokine-producing NK cells. METHOD OF STUDY CD56(+) /NKp46(+) NK cells from the peripheral blood and the uterine endometrium were magnetically separated. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β(1) expressions on NK cells were investigated using multicolor flow cytometry. RESULTS Peripheral blood and uterine endometrial NK cells were grouped into 4 subpopulations based upon the degree of CD56 and NKp46 expressions. NKp46 expression was associated with higher frequency of cytokine-producing NK cells, including CD56(dim) NK cells. The percentage of TNF-α(+) and IL-10(+) NK cells per total CD56(+) /NKp46(+) NK cells in the uterine endometrium showed a significant correlation with those of the peripheral blood in all subpopulations, but that of IFN-γ(+) , IL-4(+,) and TGF-β(1) (+) NK cells showed partial correlation. CONCLUSION Expression of NKp46 is involved in cytokine production of CD56(+) NK cells in the peripheral blood and the uterine endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Yokota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Aomori, Japan.
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35
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Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) manifested by hypertension and proteinuria complicates 3% to 8% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of fetal-maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It may lead to intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and long-term sequelae in women and fetuses, and consequently cause socioeconomic burden to the affected families and society as a whole. Balanced immune responses are required for the maintenance of successful pregnancy. Although not a focus of most studies, decidual cells, the major resident cell type at the fetal-maternal interface, have been shown to modulate the local immune balance by interacting with other cell types, such as bone marrow derived-immune cells, endothelial cells, and invading extravillous trophoblasts. Accumulating evidence suggests that an imbalanced innate immunity, facilitated by decidual cells, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PE. Thus, this review will discuss the role of innate immunity and the potential contribution of decidual cells in the pathogenesis of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Ching Yeh
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA
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36
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Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are more than simple killers and have been implicated in control and clearance of malignant and virally infected cells, regulation of adaptive immune responses, rejection of bone marrow transplants, and autoimmunity and the maintenance of pregnancy. Human NK cells largely use a family of germ-line encoded killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) to respond to the perturbations from self-HLA class I molecules present on infected, malignant, or HLA-disparate fetal or allogenic transplants. Genes encoding KIR receptors and HLA class I ligands are located on different chromosomes, and both feature extraordinary diversity in the number and type of genes. The independent segregation of KIR and HLA gene families produce diversity in the number and type of KIR-HLA gene combinations inherited in individuals, which may determine their immunity and susceptibility to diseases. This chapter provides an overview of NK cells and their unprecedented phenotypic and functional diversity within and between individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raja Rajalingam
- UCLA Immunogenetics Center, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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37
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Fuchs A, Colonna M. Natural killer (NK) and NK-like cells at mucosal epithelia: Mediators of anti-microbial defense and maintenance of tissue integrity. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2011; 1:257-66. [PMID: 24516732 DOI: 10.1556/eujmi.1.2011.4.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that play important roles in the defense against microbial pathogens through secretion of IFN-γ and recognition and lysis of virally or bacterially infected host cells. A recently identified population of NK-like cells that shares characteristics of both NK cells and lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells promotes innate immune responses in epithelial tissue through the secretion of IL-22. In contrast to classical NK cells, NK-like cells are localized preferentially at mucosal sites, such as the intestinal mucosa. In this review, we consider the function of NK and NK-like cells in anti-microbial defense as well as the maintenance of tissue integrity in the mucosal epithelium of the intestine, lung, and female reproductive tract. Current experimental evidence supports an important protective role for IL-22-producing NK-like cells during intestinal infections, whereas classical NK cells are crucial in the early defense against many pathogens in the respiratory tract. NK cells isolated from the pregnant uterus differ significantly in phenotype and function from those at other tissue locations. Uterine NK cells clearly contribute to the tissue remodeling that takes place during placentation, but their role in anti-microbial defense remains largely undefined.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fuchs
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, Missouri 63110 USA
| | - M Colonna
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, Missouri 63110 USA
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38
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Bihl F, Germain C, Luci C, Braud VM. Mechanisms of NK cell activation: CD4(+) T cells enter the scene. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 68:3457-67. [PMID: 21861183 PMCID: PMC11114938 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0796-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2011] [Revised: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes involved in immunosurveillance through their cytotoxic activity and their capacity to secrete inflammatory cytokines. NK cell activation is necessary to initiate effector functions and results from a complex series of molecular and cellular events. We review here the signals that trigger NK cells and discuss recent findings showing that, besides antigen-presenting cells, T cells can play a central role in the initiation of NK cell activation in lymph nodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Bihl
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, UMR6097, 660, route des Lucioles, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Claire Germain
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, UMR6097, 660, route des Lucioles, 06560 Valbonne, France
| | - Carmelo Luci
- Faculté de Médecine Pasteur, Inserm, U634, 06107 Nice cedex 2, France
| | - Veronique M. Braud
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique/Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis, UMR6097, 660, route des Lucioles, 06560 Valbonne, France
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Lee JY, Lee M, Lee SK. Role of endometrial immune cells in implantation. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2011; 38:119-25. [PMID: 22384430 PMCID: PMC3283071 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2011.38.3.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2011] [Revised: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 08/30/2011] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Implantation of an embryo occurs during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, known as the "implantation window." During this implantation period, there are significant morphologic and functional changes in the endometrium, which is followed by decidualization. Many immune cells, such as dendritic and natural killer (NK) cells, increase in number in this period and early pregnancy. Recent works have revealed that antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and NK cells are involved in vascular remodeling of spiral arteries in the decidua and lack of APCs leads to failure of pregnancy. Paternal and fetal antigens may play a role in the induction of immune tolerance during pregnancy. A balance between effectors (i.e., innate immunity and helper T [Th] 1 and Th17 immunity) and regulators (Th2 cells, regulatory T cells, etc.) is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The highly complicated endocrine-immune network works in decidualization of the endometrium and at the fetomaternal interface. We will discuss the role of immune cells in the implantation period and during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Yeong Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konyang University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
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Vacca P, Moretta L, Moretta A, Mingari MC. Origin, phenotype and function of human natural killer cells in pregnancy. Trends Immunol 2011; 32:517-23. [PMID: 21889405 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2011.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/17/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
During the early phases of pregnancy, natural killer (NK) cells are the predominant lymphoid cells in the human decidua. Here, rather than act as killers and/or drivers of inflammation, NK cells contribute to tissue building and remodeling and formation of new vessels due to the release of interleukin-8, vascular endothelial growth factor, stromal cell-derived factor-1 and interferon gamma-inducible protein-10. Here, we propose that the interaction of NK cells with CD14(+) myelomonocytic cells to promote induction of T regulatory cells plays a pivotal role in immunosuppression and tolerance towards the fetus allograft. Importantly, CD34(+) hematopoietic precursors are present in human decidua and may give rise to decidual NK cells. Defects in decidual NK cell generation, or in appropriate functional interactions with other cell types, could have major consequences for successful pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Vacca
- National Institute for Cancer Research, Largo R. Benzi, 16132 Genova, Italy
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41
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Mutiny or scrutiny: NK cell modulation of DC function in HIV-1 infection. Trends Immunol 2011; 32:219-24. [PMID: 21411368 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Revised: 02/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating data suggest that natural killer (NK) cells are involved not only in the innate antiviral response following infection, but also in shaping the quality of the adaptive immune response by modulating the functional properties of myeloid dendritic cells (DC) during the acute immune response to infection. In this role, NK cells ensure that only fully mature, immunogenic DCs gain access to inductive sites, where they might prime effective antiviral adaptive immune responses. However, increasing evidence now suggests that several aspects of this cross-talk between NK cells and DCs are compromised during HIV infection, potentially contributing to immune dysfunction.
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Braunschweig A, Poehlmann TG, Busch S, Schleussner E, Markert UR. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) and Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS3) Balance Controls Cytotoxicity and IL-10 Expression in Decidual-Like Natural Killer Cell Line NK-92. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66:329-35. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.00989.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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Lash GE, Bulmer JN. Do uterine natural killer (uNK) cells contribute to female reproductive disorders? J Reprod Immunol 2011; 88:156-64. [PMID: 21334072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2011.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2010] [Revised: 12/23/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The most abundant immune cells in the uterine decidua around the time of implantation and early placental development are the uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Altered numbers of uNK cells have been associated with several human reproductive disorders, including recurrent miscarriage, recurrent implantation failure, uterine fibroids, sporadic miscarriage, fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. Understanding of the function of uNK cells in non-pregnant and pregnant endometrium is now increasing; the potential contribution of altered numbers and function of uNK cells to reproductive disorders is the focus of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gendie E Lash
- Reproductive and Vascular Biology Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, United Kingdom.
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Acar N, Ustunel I, Demir R. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and their missions during pregnancy: a review. Acta Histochem 2011; 113:82-91. [PMID: 20047753 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2009.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2009] [Revised: 11/23/2009] [Accepted: 11/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system. The aim of this review is to describe the properties and roles of NK cells in the human uterus during pregnancy. Uterine natural killer cells (uNK) constitute a major lymphocyte population during early gestation in the uterus. The uterine natural killer cells are recognized owing to their CD56(bright), CD16(-), CD3(-) phenotype. Their number increases in the first trimester with a subsequent decline as pregnancy progresses. They have been shown to be closely associated with cells of the extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and spiral arteries. They play important roles in remodeling of the spiral arteries, control of trophoblast invasion and in the development of the placenta. Some studies have shown the number and repertoire of receptors of uNK differ between women with healthy pregnancies and those with pathologic pregnancies, such as pre-eclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation. During pregnancy, the cytotoxic characteristics of the uterine killer cells are not directed towards the fetus, and scientists continue to question and explore this phenomenon with increasing evidence that these cells may perform differing beneficial roles during pregnancy. Contrary to their previously suspected "hostile" characteristics, the uterine killer cells are considered to be "friendly" and appear to be essential and very important regulators of successful implantation and pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuray Acar
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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Sánchez-Rodríguez EN, Nava-Salazar S, Mendoza-Rodríguez CA, Moran C, Romero-Arauz JF, Ortega E, Granados J, Cervantes-Peredo A, Cerbón M. Persistence of decidual NK cells and KIR genotypes in healthy pregnant and preeclamptic women: a case-control study in the third trimester of gestation. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2011; 9:8. [PMID: 21247496 PMCID: PMC3034672 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-9-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural Killer (NK) cells are the most abundant lymphocytes in the decidua during early gestation. The interactions of NK cells with the extravillous cytotrophoblast have been associated with a normal spiral artery remodeling process, an essential event for a successful pregnancy. Recent data indicate that alterations in the amount of decidual NK (dNK) cells contribute to the development of preeclampsia (PE). Moreover, genetic studies suggest that Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) expressed in dNK cells influence the susceptibility to PE. Although dNK cells have been well characterized during early pregnancy, they have been scarcely studied in the third trimester of gestation. The aim of this work was to characterize dNK cells at the last trimester of gestation and to analyze the KIR genotype of healthy and PE women. METHODS Decidual samples were obtained during Caesarean section from control (n = 10) and PE (n = 9) women. Flow cytometric analysis of CD3, CD56, CD16 and CD9 was used to characterize and quantify dNK cells in both groups. Cell surface markers from decidual leukocytes were compared with PBMC from healthy donors.KIR genotyping was performed in genomic DNA (control, n = 86; PE, n = 90) using PCR-SSP. RESULTS The results indicate that dNK cells persist throughout pregnancy. They represented 20% of total leukocytes in control and PE groups, and they expressed the same cell surface markers (CD3-, CD56+, CD16- and CD9+) as dNK in the first trimester of gestation. There were no significant differences in the percentage of dNK cells between control and PE groups. The analysis of KIR gene frequencies and genotypes was not statistically different between control and PE groups. The ratio of activating to inhibitory genes indicated that the overall inhibitory balance (0.2-0.5) was more frequent in the PE group (control, 31.3% vs PE, 45.5%), and the activating balance (0.6-1.1) was more frequent in the control group (control, 68.6% vs PE, 54.4%). However this difference was not significant. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the persistence of dNK cells in PE and control women at the third trimester of pregnancy; these dNK cells had a similar phenotype to those found during early pregnancy. The predominance of a KIR inhibitory balance in the PE group could be associated to the physiopathology of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elly N Sánchez-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F., México
| | - Sonia Nava-Salazar
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F., México
| | - C Adriana Mendoza-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F., México
| | - Carlos Moran
- Servicio de Complicaciones Hipertensivas, UMAE de Ginecología y Obstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F., México
| | - Juan F Romero-Arauz
- Servicio de Complicaciones Hipertensivas, UMAE de Ginecología y Obstetricia "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México, D.F., México
| | - Enrique Ortega
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, UNAM, Mexico, D.F., México
| | - Julio Granados
- Departamento de Transplantes, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de la Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán", México, D.F., México
| | - Alicia Cervantes-Peredo
- Servicio de Genética, Hospital General de México/Facultad de Medicina, UNAM, México, D.F., México
| | - Marco Cerbón
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán 04510, México, D.F., México
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Zhang J, Chen Z, Smith GN, Croy BA. Natural killer cell-triggered vascular transformation: maternal care before birth? Cell Mol Immunol 2011; 8:1-11. [PMID: 20711229 PMCID: PMC3079746 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2010.38] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2010] [Revised: 06/15/2010] [Accepted: 06/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are found in lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs. In addition to important roles in immune surveillance, some NK cells contribute to angiogenesis and circulatory regulation. The uterus of early pregnancy is a non-lymphoid organ enriched in NK cells that are specifically recruited to placental attachment sites. In species with invasive hemochorial placentation, these uterine natural killer (uNK) cells, via secretion of cytokines, chemokines, mucins, enzymes and angiogenic growth factors, contribute to the physiological change of mesometrial endometrium into the unique stromal environment called decidua basalis. In humans, uNK cells have the phenotype CD56(bright)CD16(dim) and they appear in great abundance in the late secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. Gene expression studies indicate that CD56(bright)CD16(dim) uterine and circulating cells are functionally distinct. In humans but not mice or other species with post-implantation decidualization, uNK cells may contribute to blastocyst implantation and are of interest as therapeutic targets in female infertility. Histological and genetic studies in mice first identified triggering of the process of gestation spiral arterial modification as a major uNK cell function, achieved via interferon (IFN)-γ secretion. During spiral arterial modification, branches from the uterine artery that traverse the endometrium/decidua transiently lose their muscular coat and ability to vasoconstrict. The expression of vascular markers changes from arterial to venous as these vessels dilate and become low-resistance, high-volume channels. Full understanding of the vascular interactions of human uNK cells is difficult to obtain because endometrial time-course studies are not possible in pregnant women. Here we briefly review key information concerning uNK cell functions from studies in rodents, summarize highlights concerning human uNK cells and describe our preliminary studies on development of a humanized, pregnant mouse model for in vivo investigations of human uNK cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
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Rajagopalan S. Endosomal signaling and a novel pathway defined by the natural killer receptor KIR2DL4 (CD158d). Traffic 2010; 11:1381-90. [PMID: 20854369 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0854.2010.01112.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In addition to ligand-induced activation of receptors at the cell surface, certain internalized receptor-ligand complexes are activated in endosomes which are, now recognized as important intracellular platforms of signal transduction. The major receptor families that signal from endosomes and illustrate the diversity and complexity of endosomal signaling include receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and toll-like receptors (TLRs). Natural killer (NK) cells, an important component of the innate immune system, not only provide a rapid defense against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses, but also positively shape local responses by cytokine and chemokine secretion. The NK cell receptor KIR2DL4 (CD158d) utilizes a new mode of endosomal signaling after binding its ligand, soluble HLA-G, in the extracellular milieu. Internalization of the receptor and its ligand into endosomes and initiation of signaling at this site result in a proinflammatory and proangiogenic response with important functions at sites of ligand expression, such as at the maternal-fetal interface during early pregnancy. After a brief overview of the modes of endosomal signaling and its value in generating distinct physiological responses, this review will highlight the mechanism and physiological significance of a novel intracellular signaling pathway used by the endosome-resident immune receptor KIR2DL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumati Rajagopalan
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA.
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Carayannopoulos LN, Barks JL, Yokoyama WM, Riley JK. Murine trophoblast cells induce NK cell interferon-gamma production through KLRK1. Biol Reprod 2010; 83:404-14. [PMID: 20484740 PMCID: PMC2924803 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.084509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2010] [Revised: 04/05/2010] [Accepted: 05/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Murine models suggest that natural killer (NK) cells are important for normal implantation site development, in part, through the production of interferon gamma (IFNG). As KLRK1 (NKG2D) is expressed on human and murine uterine NK (uNK) cells, we examined the role of KLRK1 in the interaction between murine trophoblasts and NK cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that both murine trophoblast stem (TS) cells and differentiated trophoblast giant cells expressed the KLRK1 ligand retinoic acid early transcript 1, or RAET1. Coculture of activated NK cells with either TS cells or giant cells led to the production of IFNG, as measured by ELISA. In addition, coculture with TS cells led to the downregulation of KLRK1. Both responses were inhibited by soluble KLRK1 ligand, but not by irrelevant protein. Further studies demonstrated the presence of KLRK1 ligand on uterine cells derived from either virgin or pregnant mice, although uterine RAET1 protein expression was upregulated in vitro by progesterone, but not estradiol. We suggest that the interaction of KLRK1 and RAET1 may be involved in IFNG production by uNK cells, and thus, this receptor-ligand pair may contribute to successful murine implantation site development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas N. Carayannopoulos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jennifer L. Barks
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Wayne M. Yokoyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joan K. Riley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Guo H, Topham DJ. Interleukin-22 (IL-22) production by pulmonary Natural Killer cells and the potential role of IL-22 during primary influenza virus infection. J Virol 2010; 84:7750-9. [PMID: 20504940 PMCID: PMC2897635 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00187-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 05/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We set out to test the hypothesis that interleukin-22 (IL-22), a cytokine crucial for epithelial cell homeostasis and recovery from tissue injury, would be protective during influenza virus infection. Recent studies have identified phenotypically and functionally unique intestinal NK cells capable of producing the cytokine IL-22. Unlike gut NK cells that produce IL-22, the surface phenotypes of lung NK cells were similar to those of spleen NK cells and were characteristically mature. With mitogen stimulation, both single and double IL-22- and gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-producing lung NK cells were detected. However, only the IL-22(+) IFN-gamma(-) lung NK subset was observed after stimulation with IL-23. IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) blocking dramatically inhibited IL-22 production, but not IFN-gamma production. Furthermore, we found that NK1.1(+) or CD27(-) lung NK cells were the primary sources of IL-22. After influenza virus infection, lung NK cells were quickly activated to produce both IFN-gamma and IL-22 and had increased cytotoxic potential. The level of IL-22 in the lung tissue declined shortly after infection, gradually returning to the baseline after virus clearance, although the IL-22 gene expression was maintained. Furthermore, depletion of NK cells with or without influenza virus infection reduced the protein level of IL-22 in the lung. Anti-IL-22 neutralization in vivo did not dramatically affect weight loss and survival after virus clearance. Unexpectedly, anti-IL-22-treated mice had reduced virus titers. Our data suggest that during primary respiratory viral infection, IL-22 seems to a play a marginal role for protection, indicating a differential requirement of this cytokine for bacterial and viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailong Guo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - David J. Topham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Aab Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14642
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Denney L, Aitken C, Li CKF, Wilson-Davies E, Kok WL, Clelland C, Rooney K, Young D, Dong T, McMichael AJ, Carman WF, Ho LP. Reduction of natural killer but not effector CD8 T lymphocytes in three consecutive cases of severe/lethal H1N1/09 influenza A virus infection. PLoS One 2010; 5:e10675. [PMID: 20502691 PMCID: PMC2872666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0010675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2010] [Accepted: 04/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The cause of severe disease in some patients infected with pandemic influenza A virus is unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings We present the cellular immunology profile in the blood, and detailed clinical (and post-mortem) findings of three patients with rapidly progressive infection, including a pregnant patient who died. The striking finding is of reduction in natural killer (NK) cells but preservation of activated effector CD8 T lymphocytes; with viraemia in the patient who had no NK cells. Comparison with control groups suggests that the reduction of NK cells is unique to these severely ill patients. Conclusion/Significance Our report shows markedly reduced NK cells in the three patients that we sampled and raises the hypothesis that NK may have a more significant role than T lymphocytes in controlling viral burden when the host is confronted with a new influenza A virus subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Denney
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Celia Aitken
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Ka-Fai Li
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Eleri Wilson-Davies
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Wai Ling Kok
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Clelland
- Pathology Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Rooney
- Intensive Care Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan Young
- Adult Intensive Care Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tao Dong
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. McMichael
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - William F. Carman
- West of Scotland Specialist Virology Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ling-Pei Ho
- Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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