Uterine natural killer cells and recurrent spontaneous abortion

Yao-Yao Fu; Chun-E Ren; Peng-Yun Qiao; Yu-Han Meng

doi:10.1111/aji.13433

Uterine natural killer cells and recurrent spontaneous abortion

Am J Reprod Immunol. 2021 Aug;86(2):e13433. doi: 10.1111/aji.13433. Epub 2021 May 10.

Authors

Yao-Yao Fu¹, Chun-E Ren², Peng-Yun Qiao², Yu-Han Meng²

Affiliations

¹ Clinical Medical Colleges, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.
² Center of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China.

PMID: 33896061
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13433

Abstract

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), termed as two or more consecutive pregnancy loss is a great problem for some women of childbearing age. A large number of evidence confirm that there may be an immune background of RSA. As a member of the innate immune system, uterine natural killer (uNK) cells account for about 70% of total lymphocytes during pregnancy and play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. This review mainly introduces the phenotype, origin, receptor, and function of uNK cells to illuminate its relationship with RSA.

Keywords: CD56brightCD56dim; recurrent spontaneous abortion; uterine NK cells.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Abortion, Habitual / immunology*
Female
Humans
Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
Pregnancy
Uterus / immunology*