Abstract
The NK cell functional capacity of first trimester human decidua against K562 targets was assessed in a 3-hr CRA. Collagenase dispersal combined with plastic adherence, nylon wool passage, and density gradient centrifugation yielded NKH-1 (Leu 19) positive enriched decidual large granular lymphocyte fraction (mean 75% positive). Decidual effectors displayed reduced lytic activity compared with autologous PB effectors at every effector:target ratio but this difference in cytotoxicity was abolished by short-term culture before the CRA. Decidual effectors treated with 50 units rIL-2 showed increased lytic activity compared to untreated decidual cells. By FACS analysis the majority of NKH-1 positive decidual effectors were CD3 and CD16 negative which corresponds with a minority PB NK population. The implications of a population of functional NK cells in early pregnancy decidua for the materno-fetal relationship is discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 166-73 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Cellular Immunology |
Volume | 121 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - Jun 1989 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antigens, Differentiation
- Cell Separation
- Chromium Radioisotopes
- Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic
- Decidua
- Female
- Humans
- Interleukin-2
- Killer Cells, Natural
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Trimester, First