title: Human decidual NK cells form immature activating synapses and are not cytotoxic.
abstract: In early pregnancy invading fetal trophoblasts encounter abundant maternal decidual natural killer cells (dNK). dNK express perforin, granzymes A and B and the activating receptors NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, NKG2D, and 2B4 as well as LFA-1. Even though they are granular and express the essential molecules required for lysis, fresh dNK displayed very reduced lytic activity on classical MHC I negative targets K562 and 721.221, approximately 15% of that of peripheral NK cells. dNK formed conjugates and activating immune synapses with 721.221 and K562 cells in which CD2, LFA-1 and actin were polarized toward the contact site. However, in contrast to peripheral NK cells, they failed to polarize their microtubule organizing centers and perforin-containing granules to the synapse, accounting for their lack of cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. hkopcow@fas.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Hernan D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kopcow
authors.forename: David S J
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Basya
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rybalov
authors.forename: Milena M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Andzelm
authors.forename: Baoxue
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Jack L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Strominger
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication; D016764:Cell Polarity; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000502:physiology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin