A new role for natural killer cells, interleukin (IL)-12, and IL-18 in repeated implantation failure after in vitro fertilization.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the endometrial immunohistochemical staining of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 and to quantify the CD56 bright natural killer (NK) cells in relation to Doppler vascular disorders.


METHODS
Controlled clinical study.


METHODS
Research unit of a university hospital. PATIENT(S)": Thirty-five women with repeated implantation failure after ET in IVF and 12 fertile control patients.Ultrasound evaluation and endometrial biopsy on day 20.


METHODS
The balance between IL-12 and IL-18, the number of NK cells, and the vascular status among fertile and implantation failure patients.


RESULTS
The control patients displayed normal vascular parameters, a weak anti-IL-12 staining, a consistent moderate stromal anti-IL-18 staining, and fewer than 15 NK cells/field. This pattern was observed among only 17% (6/35) of the implantation failure group. The remaining patients fit into one of two patterns: [1] 37% (13/35) had more than 40 NK cells/field with a strong anti-IL-12 and/or anti-IL-18 staining, and [2] the remaining 46% (16/35) had a marked local depletion of IL-18 and IL-12. Respectively, 85% and 31% of two groups displayed abnormal vascular parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Distinctions between the different local dysregulations of the cytokine network may provide clues for further exploration and treatment.
Lédée-Bataille
Nathalie
N
Cytokines et relation materno-foetale, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherché Médicale, Unité 131, Clamart, France. ledeenathalie@aol.com
Dubanchet
Sylvie
S
Coulomb-L'hermine
Aurore
A
Durand-Gasselin
Ingrid
I
Frydman
René
R
Chaouat
Gérard
G
D000328:Adult; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology*; D008183:Luteal Phase; D008297:Male; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000276:immunology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology
D019002:CD56 Antigen; D020382:Interleukin-18; D018664:Interleukin-12