Project description:Human NK cells from the decidua basalis of gravid uteri (dNK) and from cycling endometrium (eNK) of women undergoing hysterectomy were isolated and compared by gene expression profiling using Affymetrix microarrays with probes representing ~47,400 transcripts. Substantial differences indicate that these two types of NK cells represent distinct subsets.
Project description:Human NK cells from the decidua basalis of gravid uteri (dNK) and from cycling endometrium (eNK) of women undergoing hysterectomy were isolated and compared by gene expression profiling using Affymetrix microarrays with probes representing ~47,400 transcripts. Substantial differences indicate that these two types of NK cells represent distinct subsets. Freshly isolated NK cells were obtained by FACS sorting. 4 dNK and 5 eNK samples were obtained form independent donors. dNK cells were isolated from the decidua basalis of first trimester placentas and sorted as CD3-, CD16-, CD56+ cells. eNK cells were obtained from non-affected regions of cycling endometrium of donor women undergoing hysterectomy and were sorted as CD45+, CD56+, CD3- cells . The preliminary patient diagnoses included genital prolapse, fibroids, cervical dysplasia, or menorrhagia. All cycling endometrium samples were from the secretory phase of the cycle with exception of sample eNK_S6 that was from the proliferative phase.
Project description:To investigate differences in gene expression between bulk NK cells from naturally cycling endometrium versus bulk NK cells from superovulated endometrium, we performed bulk RNAseq of sort-purified endometrial NK cells.
Project description:Uterine NK cells (uNK cells) form a distinct immune cell population in the endometrium and decidua. Here, we FACS-sorted KIR-CD39-,KIR+CD39- and KIR+CD39+ uNK cells from decidual samples.
Project description:The fate of the human endometrium is determined during the mid-luteal window of implantation, coinciding with differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) into specialized decidual cells. Upon embryo implantation, differentiating EnSCs transform the endometrium into the decidua of pregnancy; whereas falling progesterone levels in the absence of pregnancy lead to tissue breakdown and menstruation. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to map the transcriptomic changes in primary EnSCs along a decidual time-course and in response to withdrawal of differentiation signals. We demonstrate that decidual transformation starts with a precipitous transcriptional response, which is followed by synchronous transition of EnSCs through intermediate states before emerging as divergent subpopulations, representing decidual cells and senescent decidual cells. Single-cell analysis of timed luteal phase biopsies identified multiple endometrial epithelial subpopulations and immune cells, most prominently uterine NK cells. In the stroma, transition from receptive to post-receptive endometrial state was marked by progression of EnSCs along diverging transcriptional trajectories, involving genes with conserved branching dynamics in vivo and in vitro. Our findings indicate that specification of EnSCs into distinct decidual subpopulations underpins endometrial fate decisions during the window of implantation.
Project description:The transition of regularly cycling endometrium from the proliferative or Estrogen-dominant phase of the menstrual cycle to the Progesterone-dominant Early and Mid Secretory phases requires wide-spread changes in gene expression that shift the endometrium from a proliferative capacity to a differentiated 'decidual' phenotype in preparation for implantation. This process appears delayed in women with severe endometriosis, suggestive of a progesterone resistant endometrium in this disease. Keywords: disease state analysis
Project description:Fragmented RNA cocktails from FACS sorted Human decidual NK cell, and peripheral blood CD56Bright and CD56Dim NK cells, previously hybridization to HGU95AV2 chips (Koopman et al J Exp Med. 2003 Oct 20;198(8):1201-1), were stored long term at -80C, thawed and hybridized to HG-U133A arrays. Transcriptome analysis of Human decidual NK cells and NK cells from peripheral blood using Affymetrix UGU133A arrays.
