Uterine Natural Killer Cells: Functional Distinctions and Influence on Pregnancy in Humans and Mice
Published version
Peer-reviewed
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Type
Article
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Authors
Gaynor, LM
Colucci, Francesco https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5193-6376
Abstract
Our understanding of development and function of natural killer (NK) cells has progressed significantly in recent years. However, exactly how uterine NK (uNK) cells develop and function is still unclear. To help investigators that are beginning to study tissue NK cells, we summarize in this review our current knowledge of the development and function of uNK cells, and what is yet to be elucidated. We compare and contrast the biology of human and mouse uNK cells in the broader context of the biology of innate lymphoid cells and with reference to peripheral NK cells. We also review how uNK cells may regulate trophoblast invasion and uterine spiral arterial remodeling in human and murine pregnancy.
Description
Keywords
arterial remodeling, placenta, pregnancy, trophoblast, uterine innate lymphoid cells, uterine natural killer cells
Journal Title
Frontiers in Immunology
Conference Name
Journal ISSN
1664-3224
1664-3224
1664-3224
Volume Title
8
Publisher
frontiers
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Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (094073/Z/10/Z)
British Heart Foundation (None)
Wellcome Trust (200841/Z/16/Z)
British Heart Foundation (None)
Wellcome Trust (200841/Z/16/Z)
The authors would like to thank Ashley Moffett and Jens Kieckbusch for critically reading the manuscript and all members of the laboratory which is funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Centre for Trophoblast Research. LMG was funded by fellowships from the British Heart Foundation (FS/12/4/29254) and the Centre for Trophoblast Research.