Differential expression of KIR/NKAT2 and CD94 molecules on decidual and peripheral blood CD56bright and CD56dim natural killer cell subsets.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate killer inhibitory receptor (KIR) expression by natural killer (NK) cells in early pregnancy.


METHODS
Case-control study of immunologic markers.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Thirty pregnant women and 22 nonpregnant women.


METHODS
Peripheral venous blood sampling and decidual tissue collection after elective abortion.


METHODS
Flow cytometry was used to assess expression of KIR by NK cells in the cell samples.


RESULTS
In contrast to CD56(bright) peripheral blood NK cells, CD56(dim) cells express killer cell Ig-like receptor KIR/NKAT2. However, KIR/NKAT2 and lectin-like CD94 are present on both subsets of decidual NK cells. We found no differences between peripheral blood NK cell subsets from pregnant and nonpregnant women.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings demonstrate that NK cell subsets, distributed in accordance with CD56 molecule density on cell surface, express killer inhibitory receptors CD94 and KIR/NKAT2 in a different way. Our data support the view that CD56(bright)KIR/NKAT2+CD94+ decidual NK cells are specialized NK cells that have an important role to play in early pregnancy.
Eidukaite
Audrone
A
Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Immunology, Vilnius University, Moletu plentas 29, Vilnius 2021, Lithuania. elza@takas.it
Siaurys
Almantas
A
Tamosiunas
Vytas
V
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000378:metabolism*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D; D011247:Pregnancy; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism*; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3
D015703:Antigens, CD; D019002:CD56 Antigen; C515078:KIR2DL3 protein, human; C497869:KLRD1 protein, human; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D054340:Receptors, KIR; D054344:Receptors, KIR2DL3