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Uterine NK Cells and Trophoblast HLA Class I Molecules
Author(s) -
King A.,
Hiby S.E.,
Verma S.,
Burrows T.,
Gardner L.,
Loke Y. W.
Publication year - 1997
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.1600-0897.1997.tb00260.x
Subject(s) - trophoblast , decidua , microbiology and biotechnology , receptor , human leukocyte antigen , flow cytometry , biology , hla g , decidual cells , immunology , chemistry , placenta , antigen , pregnancy , fetus , genetics
PROBLEM: To investigate the proposal that NK cells in decidua may control trophoblast migration during implantation of the human placenta. METHOD: Use Mab specific for HLA‐G and for HLA‐C in association with flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation to determine the expression of these HLA molecules by trophoblast. Expression of Killer inhibitory/activatory receptors (KIR/KAR) and the CD94 receptor by decidual NK cells was also studied. RESULTS: Extravillous trophoblast expressed HLA‐G and HLA‐C in both β 2 m‐associated form and as free heavy chains. KIR and KAR are expressed by decidual NK cells. The repertoire of receptors varied between different women and also between blood and decidual NK cells from the same women. The expression of CD94 was also different between blood and decidual NK cells. CONCLUSION: The recognition of HLA‐G/HLA‐C by KIR/KAR and CD94 could provide a mechansm by which decidual NK cells control trophoblast migration.