At the implantation site, the uterine mucosa (decidua) is infiltrated by large numbers of natural killer (NK) cells. These NK cells are in close contact with the invading fetal trophoblast and we have proposed that they might be the effector cells that control the implantation of the allogeneic placenta. Recent characterization of NK cell receptors and their HLA class I ligands has suggested potential mechanisms by which NK cells might interact with trophoblast. However, what happens as a result of this interaction is not clear. The traditional method for investigating NK cell function in vitro is the protection from lysis of target cells by expression of HLA class I antigens. This might not be an accurate reflection of what happens in vivo. Another function of NK cells is the production of cytokines on contact with target cells. This could be an important outcome of the interaction between decidual NK cells and trophoblast. Decidual NK cells are known to produce a variety of cytokines; trophoblast cells express receptors for many of these cytokines, indicating that they can potentially respond. In this way, decidual NK cells have a significant influence on trophoblast behaviour during implantation.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
February 2000
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
February 01 2000
Decidual natural-killer-cell interaction with trophoblast: cytolysis or cytokine production?
Y. W. Loke;
Y. W. Loke
1Research Group in Human Reproductive Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 IQP, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
A. King
A. King
1Research Group in Human Reproductive Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 IQP, U.K.
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
August 06 1999
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2000 Biochemical Society
2000
Biochem Soc Trans (2000) 28 (2): 196–198.
Article history
Received:
August 06 1999
Citation
Y. W. Loke, A. King; Decidual natural-killer-cell interaction with trophoblast: cytolysis or cytokine production?. Biochem Soc Trans 1 February 2000; 28 (2): 196–198. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0280196
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Captcha Validation Error. Please try again.