Endometriosis and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion: pathological states resulting from aberrant modulation of natural killer cell function?

Hum Reprod Update. 1999 Jan-Feb;5(1):40-51. doi: 10.1093/humupd/5.1.40.

Abstract

The observation that natural killer (NK) cell activity is abnormally low in endometriosis patients and abnormally high in women with otherwise unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion represents, at present, an intriguing curiosity. There is evidence suggesting that these conditions are associated with an opposite regulation of NK cell behaviour. This review discusses these observations and potential relationships.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / immunology*
  • Endometriosis / immunology*
  • Female
  • HLA Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Uterus / immunology

Substances

  • HLA Antigens
  • HLA-G Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I