Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
Acta Histochem. 2011 Feb;113(2):82-91. doi: 10.1016/j.acthis.2009.12.001. Epub 2010 Jan 4.
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system. The aim of this review is to describe the properties and roles of NK cells in the human uterus during pregnancy. Uterine natural killer cells (uNK) constitute a major lymphocyte population during early gestation in the uterus. The uterine natural killer cells are recognized owing to their CD56(bright), CD16(-), CD3(-) phenotype. Their number increases in the first trimester with a subsequent decline as pregnancy progresses. They have been shown to be closely associated with cells of the extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and spiral arteries. They play important roles in remodeling of the spiral arteries, control of trophoblast invasion and in the development of the placenta. Some studies have shown the number and repertoire of receptors of uNK differ between women with healthy pregnancies and those with pathologic pregnancies, such as pre-eclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation. During pregnancy, the cytotoxic characteristics of the uterine killer cells are not directed towards the fetus, and scientists continue to question and explore this phenomenon with increasing evidence that these cells may perform differing beneficial roles during pregnancy. Contrary to their previously suspected "hostile" characteristics, the uterine killer cells are considered to be "friendly" and appear to be essential and very important regulators of successful implantation and pregnancy.
自然杀伤 (NK) 细胞是先天免疫系统的淋巴细胞。本综述旨在描述 NK 细胞在人类妊娠子宫中的特性和作用。在妊娠早期，子宫自然杀伤细胞 (uNK) 是子宫中主要的淋巴细胞群。由于其 CD56(bright)、CD16(-)、CD3(-) 表型，可识别出这些细胞。它们的数量在妊娠早期增加，随着妊娠的进展而随后下降。已经表明它们与绒毛外滋养层 (EVT) 和螺旋动脉中的细胞密切相关。它们在螺旋动脉重塑、滋养细胞浸润的控制和胎盘发育中发挥重要作用。一些研究表明，健康妊娠和病理妊娠（如子痫前期或宫内生长受限）妇女的 uNK 数量和受体谱存在差异。在妊娠期间，子宫杀伤细胞的细胞毒性特征不会针对胎儿，科学家们继续对此现象进行质疑和探索，越来越多的证据表明这些细胞在妊娠期间可能发挥不同的有益作用。与它们以前被怀疑的“敌对”特性相反，子宫杀伤细胞被认为是“友好”的，并且似乎是成功着床和妊娠的重要和非常重要的调节者。
