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Functions of Human Decidual NK Cells
Author(s) -
King Ashley,
Jokhi P.P.,
Burrows Tanya D.,
Gardner Lucy,
Sharkey A.M.,
Lore Y.W.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1996.tb00041.x
Subject(s) - decidual cells , decidua , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , immunology , biology , pregnancy , fetus , placenta , genetics
The main population of lymphocytes found in the human decidua during early pregnancy are NK‐like cells with a distinctive phenotype, CD56 bright CD16 − CD3 − . These cells are in close association with invading trophoblast that may be their in vivo target. We have examined three aspects of decidual NK function in vitro: cytotoxicity, proliferation, and cytokine production. The functional assays indicate uterine lymphocytes differ fundamentally from both PBL and even from classical circulating NK cells. Their role in the establishment of normal pregnancy remains unknown.