title: Physiological role of IL-15 and IL-18 at the maternal-fetal interface.
abstract: We review recent studies of two cytokines IL-15 and IL-18, showing that they are the critical cytokines controlling uterine NK cell cytokine production and cytolytic potential. Further, IL-15 has been implicated in differentiation and proliferation of uterine NK cells, while IL-18 enhanced innate immunity and both Th1- and Th2-driven immune responses depending on the cytokine milieu. We addressed the possible role of these two cytokines in induction of the IFN-gamma production as a key molecule in vascular remodeling during early pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laskarin
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Strbo
authors.forename: Tatjana Bogovic
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Crncic
authors.forename: Koraljka
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Juretic
authors.forename: Nathalie Ledee
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Bataille
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chaouat
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rukavina
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020382:Interleukin-18 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D019409:Interleukin-15; D020382:Interleukin-18