The effect of mifepristone on the peripheral blood natural killer cell's cytotoxicity and expression of CD94/NKG2A and NKG2D during the implantation phase.
To investigate the effect of mifepristone on peripheral blood natural killer cell's (pbNK) cytotoxicity and the expression of the inhibitory receptor CD94/NKG2A and the activated receptor NKG2D on pbNK cells.
mbryonic implantation: cytokines, adhesion molecules, and immune cells in establishing an implantation environment.
Successful implantation is an absolute requirement for the reproduction of species, including humans.
The process by which a foreign blastocyst is accepted by the maternal endometrium is complex and requires interplay of many systems.
Mifepristone as an anti-implantation contraceptive drug: roles in regulation of uterine natural killer cells during implantation phase.
To investigate the immunological mechanism of low-dose mifepristone acting as a contraceptive at the level of the endometrium.
Clinical implication of natural killer cells and reproduction.
The regulation of natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood and endometrial layers has been associated with reproductive immunopathology such as recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), infertility of implantation failures, or pre-eclampsia.
Uterine NK cell development, migration and function.
Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells represent the predominant lymphocytes in the uterus during early pregnancy and in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle.
Uterine natural killer cells are immunogenic in syngeneic male mice.
Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells expand rapidly during endometrial decidualization and account for 70% of leukocytes in early gestational uteri of humans and rodents.
These cells make unique contributions to pregnancy, contributing to the success of embryo implantation and maintenance of decidual tissue that supports placental and fetal development.
Uterine natural killer cells, implantation failure and recurrent miscarriage
Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the most abundant leukocytes in preimplantation endometrium and early pregnancy decidua.
Maternal uNK cells are adjacent to, and have the ability to interact directly with, fetal trophoblasts. uNK cells can secrete an array of cytokines that are important in angiogenesis and thus placental development and the establishment of pregnancy.
Accumulation of uterine CD16(-) natural killer (NK) cells: friends, foes, or Jekyll-and-Hyde relationship for the conceptus?
Human cycling endometrium and early pregnant decidua are infiltrated by a unique lymphocyte subset of CD16(-) natural killer (NK) cells, which are minor cells in circulating blood and other organs.
The number of uterine (u) CD16(-) NK cells rises sharply after ovulation. If pregnancy occurs, uCD16(-) NK cells increase further in number, but are shed during the menstrual period. uCD16(-) NK cells have the potential to produce cytokines and growth factors that play important roles in embryo implantation and placentation, but they are armed with cytolytic cytoplasmic granules.
The role of decidual natural killer cells in normal placentation and in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Adequate invasion of the human placenta during the first weeks of pregnancy is a critical step in ensuring both fetal and maternal health.
A rapidly expanding body of evidence suggests that decidual natural killer (dNK) cells, a distinct population of CD56brightCD16- lymphocytes, are key regulators of this complex process.
Emerging role of uterine natural killer cells in establishing pregnancy
Normal pregnancy has been considered as a controlled state of inflammation at an early stage of blastocyst implantation that subsequently develops systemically.