Regulatory KIR⁺CD8⁺ T cells are elevated during human pregnancy.

ABSTRACT: During pregnancy, immune responses must balance protection from infections with tolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus. However, the mechanisms regulating maternal-fetal tolerance remain poorly understood. Recently, we identified CD8⁺ T cells expressing inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) as a regulatory subset important for suppressing self-reactivity in human autoimmune and infectious diseases. To better understand what other roles these cells might play, we asked whether they are active during pregnancy. We first observed an increased frequency of KIR⁺CD8⁺ T cells in the peripheral blood of pregnant people in the second trimester, especially in those carrying a male fetus. In vitro, KIR⁺CD8⁺ T cells inhibited

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12696559 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature