Uterine NK cells are critical in shaping DC immunogenic functions compatible with pregnancy progression.

ABSTRACT: Dendritic cell (DC) and natural killer (NK) cell interactions are important for the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity, but their relevance during early pregnancy remains elusive. Using two different strategies to manipulate the frequency of NK cells and DC during gestation, we investigated their relative impact on the decidualization process and on angiogenic responses that characterize murine implantation. Manipulation of the frequency of NK cells, DC or both lead to a defective decidual response characterized by decreased proliferation and differentiation of stromal cells. Whereas no detrimental effects were evident upon expansion of DC, NK cell ablation in such expanded DC mice severely compromised decidual development and led to early pregnancy loss. Pregnancy failure in these

SUBMITTER: Tirado-Gonzalez I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3466312 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature