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Detailed Analysis of Peripheral Blood Natural Killer Cells in Women with Repeated IVF Failure
Author(s) -
Sacks Gavin,
Yang Yang,
Gowen Elizabeth,
Smith Susan,
Fay Louise,
Chapman Michael
Publication year - 2012
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.1600-0897.2012.01105.x
Subject(s) - peripheral blood , flow cytometry , andrology , luteal phase , infertility , immunology , peripheral , immune system , cell , natural killer cell , embryo transfer , biology , medicine , endocrinology , embryo , cytotoxic t cell , follicular phase , in vitro , pregnancy , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , genetics
Problem To analyse the peripheral blood NK cells in women with repeated IVF failure ( RIF ) and a fertile control group to determine which parameters best differentiate the two populations. Methods Peripheral blood from the luteal phase of 171 women with RIF and 33 fertile controls was analysed by four‐colour flow cytometry for NK cell concentration, subset differentiation and the activation marker CD 69. Results Women with RIF had significantly increased NK cell numbers as determined by concentration ( P < 0.05) and percentage of lymphocytes ( P < 0.001), increased concentration of the CD 56 dim subtype ( P < 0.05), and increased concentration of activated CD 56 dim CD 69 + cells ( P = 0.0001). There was no correlation between any NK cell parameters with the length of infertility or number of embryo transfer cycles. Conclusions Peripheral blood NK cell activity is significantly higher in women with RIF than in fertile controls. Future trials of immune therapy in women undergoing IVF should target those with high NK activity.