We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
The unique properties of uterine NK cells.
- Authors
Manaster, Irit; Mandelboim, Ofer
- Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immunity system that are able to kill various hazardous pathogens and tumors. However, it is now widely accepted that NK cells also possess non-destructive functions, as has been demonstrated for uterine NK cells. Here, we review the unique properties of the NK cells in the uterine mucosa, prior to and during pregnancy. We discuss the phenotype and function of mouse and human endometrial and decidual NK cells and suggest that the major function of decidual NK cells is to assist in fetal development. We further discuss the origin of decidual NK cells and suggest several possibilities that might explain their accumulation in the decidua during pregnancy.
- Publication
American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989), 2010, Vol 63, Issue 6, p434
- ISSN
1600-0897
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1600-0897.2009.00794.x