Human Uterine Decidual NK Cells in Women with a History of Early Pregnancy Enhance Angiogenesis and Trophoblast Invasion.

Ningyi Jia,Jian Li

doi:10.1155/2020/6247526

Abstract

Objective The present study aimed to identify changes in decidual natural killer (dNK) cells and related cytokines in women who have undergone induced abortions (IAs). The effects of dNK cells on subsequent pregnancies remain unknown. Accordingly, we sought to investigate whether a history of early pregnancy can change dNK cells and facilitate their role in the regulation of angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Materials and Methods. dNK cells were obtained from primiparous women who had undergone IA(s) prior to this study and primiparous women who had never been pregnant before this IA (control). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to measure the mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IP-10, VEGF, and PLGF in dNK cells. The levels of these cytokines were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC and HTR-8/SVneo cells were used to evaluate the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion activities influenced by dNK cells. Results In dNK cells, the mRNA level of IFN-γ, IP-10, VEGF, and PLGF in dNK cells. The levels of these cytokines were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC and HTR-8/SVneo cells were used to evaluate the angiogenesis, migration, and invasion activities influenced by dNK cells. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest that a history of early pregnancy has an impact on dNK cells. These trained dNK cells can regulate angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion and migration by promoting the production of certain cytokines.

Highlights

Placentation in the first trimester substantially affects reproductive success [1]
Single-cell reconstruction of the early maternal-fetal interface was performed and it was verified that the initiation of dNK1 cells during the first pregnancy responds more effectively in subsequent pregnancies [4]. e decidual natural killer (dNK) cells account for 70% of the decidual immune cells with the capacity of producing cytokines, but limited cytotoxicity
Gamliel et al [3] found that repeated pregnancies were associated with improved placentation and pregnancytrained dNK cells might contribute to improved placentation. erefore, this study aimed to identify changes in the function of dNK cells and the related cytokines in women who have undergone induced abortions (IAs)

Summary

Introduction

Research has shown that normal pregnancy and delivery will protect the subsequent pregnancies. It has been reported that repeated pregnancies can train the memory of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells leading to their enhanced function in subsequent pregnancies [3]. Single-cell reconstruction of the early maternal-fetal interface was performed and it was verified that the initiation of dNK1 cells during the first pregnancy responds more effectively in subsequent pregnancies [4]. E dNK cells account for 70% of the decidual immune cells with the capacity of producing cytokines, but limited cytotoxicity. Previous reports suggested that dNK cells might be involved in decidualization, angiogenesis [5], regulation of trophoblast invasion [6], and spiral artery remodeling [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results