Expressions of natural cytotoxicity receptors and NKG2D on decidual natural killer cells in patients having spontaneous abortions.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between expressions of NKp46, NKp44, NKp30, and NKG2D receptors on decidual natural killer cells (dNK) and human spontaneous abortion (SA).


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with normal chromosome abortuses and 25 healthy early pregnant women.


METHODS
Detected the cytolytic activity of dNK to K562 target cells; measured the expressions of NCRs and NKG2D on dNK.


METHODS
Cytotoxicity of dNK and expressions of NKp46, p44, p30, and NKG2D receptors on CD56(bright)CD16(-)/CD56(dim)CD16(+) dNK subsets were detected by flow cytometry. The relations between dNK cytotoxicity and the expression of the receptors on two dNK subsets were investigated.


RESULTS
The patients with SA expressed higher proportion of NKp44 on CD56(bright)CD16(-)dNK and higher proportions of NKp46 and NKp44 on CD56(dim)CD16(+)dNK with statistical significance. The expressions of NKp44 on CD56(bright)CD16(-)dNK and NKp46 on CD56(dim)CD16(+)dNK correlated with dNK cytotoxicity positively (r(2) = 0.677 and r(2) = 0.634, respectively). The expression of NKp46 on CD56(bright)CD16(-)dNK was much higher than that on CD56(dim)CD16(+)dNK.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced dNK cytotoxicity due to increased NKp46 and NKp44 expressions may undergo the susceptibility to SA. Both CD56(bright)CD16(-)dNK and CD56(dim)CD16(+) dNK may be involved in lysing of the target cells.
Zhang
Yu
Y
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Zhao
Aimin
A
Wang
Xipeng
X
Shi
Guiying
G
Jin
Huifang
H
Lin
Qide
Q
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002469:Cell Separation; D002470:Cell Survival; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; D006801:Humans; D020014:K562 Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K / Q000378:metabolism*; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis; D055636:Receptors, Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D019002:CD56 Antigen; C428200:FCGR3B protein, human; D058851:GPI-Linked Proteins; C527085:KLRK1 protein, human; C112260:NCR1 protein, human; C112837:NCR2 protein, human; C431710:NCR3 protein, human; D055655:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K; D055627:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 1; D055629:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 2; D055628:Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering Receptor 3; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D055636:Receptors, Natural Cytotoxicity Triggering