Human uterine natural killer cells.
The human uterine mucosa is infiltrated by large numbers of CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells which are particularly abundant around the time of implantation and during early pregnancy. These NK cells have the phenotype CD56bright CD16-mCD3- and the characteristic morphology of large granular lymphocytes. The NK cells are in close association with the trophoblast cells which invade into the uterus. The expression of HLA class I antigens, HLA-G and HLA-C, by these trophoblast cells raises the possibility that maternal NK cells can recognise and respond to the fetal trophoblast cells. Thus, the maternal-fetal interaction, and hence reproductive success, may depend on an NK allorecognition system.
King
A
A
Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, UK. AK3@mole.bio.cam.ac.uk
Burrows
T
T
Loke
Y W
YW
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology