title: UNK cells: their role in tissue re-modelling and preeclampsia.
abstract: In different species of mammal, uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are massively recruited and presented at the fetal maternal interface with a spatio-temporal pattern, and regarded as a constructive element to support reproductive development. Recent insights highlight the uNK cells activation, function and interaction with local compartments, which all contribute to the initiation of vascular structural changes. New trends of uNK cells research will benefit the diagnosis, management and test treatment strategy of preeclampsia. Furthermore, we suggest that more efforts and specific studies are needed to further explore the role of uNK cells at the unique micro-environment.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, 230027 Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Jianhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010064:Embryo Implantation; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D008222:Lymphokines