NK and trophoblast cells interaction: cytotoxic activity on recurrent pregnancy loss

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2019;35(sup1):5-10. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1632084.

Abstract

The trial objective was to determine the peripheral blood NK cells cytotoxic activity effect on trophoblast cells at recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The investigation involved non-pregnant women with PRL in proliferating and secretory menstrual cycle phases (PMCPh and SMCPh, respectively); women of 6-7 weeks pregnancy with RPL in past medical history; healthy fertile non-pregnant women in PMCPh and SMCPh, women of 6-7 weeks physiological pregnancy, nulliparity healthy women with regular menstrual function in PMCPh and SMCPh. NK cells cytotoxic activity was determined using peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The target cells were JEG-3 line trophoblasts. It has been established that NK cells cytotoxic activity effect on trophoblasts is lower in SMCPh than in PMCPh in non-pregnant fertile women. The NK cells cytotoxic activity was higher in SMCPh than in PMCPh in non-pregnant women with PRL and also higher than the same value in SMCPh in non-pregnant fertile women. The increased NK cells cytotoxic activity values in SMCPh in women with RPL may be the reason for miscarriage.

Keywords: NK cells; cytotoxic activity; miscarriage; peripheral blood; pregnancy; recurrent pregnancy loss; trophoblast.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Habitual / blood*
  • Abortion, Habitual / immunology
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cell Communication*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cohort Studies
  • Embryo Loss / blood
  • Embryo Loss / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / physiology*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First
  • Trophoblasts / immunology
  • Trophoblasts / pathology
  • Trophoblasts / physiology*