Natural-killer cell ligands at the maternal-fetal interface: UL-16 binding proteins, MHC class-I chain related molecules, HLA-F and CD48.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In the early stages of human placentation, the decidua is invaded by fetal extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells. Interactions between EVT cells and local decidual leukocytes are likely to contribute to immunological accommodation of the semi-allogeneic fetus.

Methods and results

Natural-killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) and 2B4 (CD244) are receptors ubiquitously expressed by the distinctive population of CD56 bright, uterine natural-killer cells, which dominate the decidua at the time of implantation. Here, we investigate the UL-16 binding protein (ULBP) and MHC class-I chain related molecule (MIC) ligands of NKG2D, the CD48 ligand of 2B4 and the non-classical HLA class-I molecule, HLA-F, at the maternal-fetal interface of normal pregnancies. For many of these molec

SUBMITTER: Apps R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2569846 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature