Epigenetic characterization of NKG2C high cells of primigravid decidual NK, multigravid decidual NK, nulligravid endometrial NK and multigravid endometrial NK
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ABSTRACT: Natural killer cells (NKs) are abundant in the human decidua. Several diseases of poor placental development are associated with first pregnancies, and we thus looked to characterize differences in decidual NKs in first versus repeated pregnancies. We discovered a population unique to repeated pregnancies, which possesses a novel transcriptome and epigenetic signature, characterized with high expression levels of the receptors NKG2C and LILRB1. Activation of these receptors leads to increased production and secretion of IFNγ and VEGFa, the latter found to support vascular sprouting and trophoblast-tumor growth. We propose that this population represents NK “memory” of pregnancy, and have named these cells Pregnancy Trained decidual NK cells (PTdNKs). We further suggest that the precursors of PTdNKs are found in the endometrium. PTdNKs may prove useful in understanding and treating disorders of poor placentation.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE100636 | GEO | 2018/05/25
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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